This is the first Prius to have a lithium battery, and the fuel efficiency and emissions benefits from the increased electric- only range are obvious. The “plug in” feature allows external charging as well as from the hybrid motor, another new addition to the brand.

In design terms, the Prius Plug-In is a true car of its times. The plug-in hybrid is a necessary step in the current vehicle market, which isn’t really geared to taking electric cars yet, and where drivers need the hybrid options. The new Prius even has a seamless switchover to petrol when the battery charge runs out.

In fairness to Toyota’s environmental efforts, the low emissions from the petrol mode (41g CO2 per km) are actually well below several of their major competitors. Petrol mode is about 50 miles per gallon, in US measurements, which is said to make the Prius the most fuel efficient car on the market.

Toyota is obviously looking at covering all options. This is a four cylinder car, and the fact that the Prius Plug-In being in the major is urban retail bandwidth market for family cars is unlikely to be a coincidence. Toyota has taken an interesting approach to its marketing of the new car, projecting production runs of “tens of thousands” by 2012.

This market approach looks like a monitored, phased introduction of the hybrids into established markets. That could be very good news for car buyers, because the likelihood is that the big production runs will reduce retail prices.

The Prius Plug-In is showing all the signs of a typical Prius car, incorporating new features, and expanding the range of the brand. So far that’s meant a series of steps in development, with new technologies and design concepts being regularly added to a proven vehicle.

For those who don’t know the manufacturing process, this is very good professional design and manufacturing technique. A reliable vehicle design is priceless to manufacturers. They build and develop off this basic design concept, enhancing it and testing new ideas. This allows designers and manufacturers to work with known factors, and reduces costs considerably. The result is a designer’s joy and a motorist’s dream. Most of the best loved brands on the road today are a result of that type of design scenario.

The result is a great, all-round vehicle, a perfect platform for design and a market winner. That’s exactly what the new Prius is looking like, a full spectrum design concept with plenty of room for add-ons. The Prius is a well known hybrid brand, with both market appeal and performance. A new Prius will naturally get a lot of market attention, and the Prius Plug-In is certainly doing that.

The announcement was made on Monday in Oslo during a public event where Michel Gardel, Vice President, Toyota Motor Europe and Lars-Erik Årøy, President, TNO signed a Letter of Intent with the partners represented by Jøran Kallmyr, Head of Transport and Environmental Affairs, City of Oslo and Kristian Pladsen, Communications Director, Energy Norway.

“Energy Norway is fully committed to contributing to the electrification of the Norwegian transport sector and to further strengthening the infrastructure as well as the possibilities for Plug-in Hybrids in Norway. We look forward to co-operating with Toyota,” said Kristian Pladsen. Energy Norway is a trade organisation for about 260 generators, suppliers, distributors and contractors in Norway.

Jøran Kallmyr said: “The City of Oslo wants to be one the world’s leaders when it comes to environment and sustainability, and has for years worked to increase the number of electric vehicles in the city. We are looking forward to working together with the industry to develop commercially available solutions for the future. PHVs are particularly interesting because they make it possible for families to have only one car that meets their different needs, without any range limitations”.

“Together with Toyota Motor Europe we are delighted to welcome the City of Oslo and Energy Norway as our partners for this PHV demonstration in Norway”, said Lars-Erik Årøy. “We often say that the PHV reflects ‘the best of both worlds’: it enhances the benefits of Toyota’s full hybrid technology, while overcoming the constraints historically linked with electric vehicles. Now we have the opportunity to demonstrate this with two PHVs under the demanding real-life conditions in Norway”.

The demonstration will assess the vehicle’s performance in urban driving conditions while also gathering information about the experience of drivers and passengers. This includes an understanding of their habits and preferences when recharging the vehicle – either at home, using a standard electrical point, or at charging points at vehicle fleet depots and elsewhere.

Toyota’s PHV adds an extended electric driving mode of around 20 km to the proven benefits of Toyota’s full hybrid technology: low CO2, unrivalled NOx and particulate emissions, exceptional fuel efficiency, seamless acceleration and quiet driving. The PHV can be driven as an electric vehicle for shorter distances or city commutes, while for long-distance journeys it operates as a full hybrid with its petrol engine serving as both a power source and battery generator when required. The battery is charged during driving, deceleration or braking, or by connecting its plug to a standard electrical point at home or at work.

Toyota will deploy around 600 new PHVs globally in Japan, Europe and the US as from the end of 2009.

“The 2010 Chicago Auto Show Prius Giveaway” is being conducted on a newly-launched Facebook page – facebook.com/chicagolandtoyotadealers. Entry information and contest rules are available on this special web page. Entrants must be a member of Facebook in order to become a “fan” of the Fan Page and eligible for the sweepstakes.

Between now and February 18, 10 semi-finalists will be selected with the chance to win a Prius on the final day of the Chicago Auto Show, on February 21. That day, all semi-finalists will meet at the Toyota exhibit and be provided identical envelopes. The envelope containing a picture of the Prius will be named the grand prize winner.

The sweepstakes is open to all legal residents, 18 years of age and older, in the states of Illinois (residing only in the counties of Cook, Dupage, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendal, Lake (IL), LaSalle, McHenry and Will) and Indiana (residing only in the counties of Jasper, La Porte, Lake (IN), Newton and Porter).

About Toyota

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs nearly 34,000 people in the U.S. and sold more than 1.77 million vehicles in 2009. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com

MPG is still what you think about when you drive a 2010 Toyota Prius.

“Already in its second generation when most manufacturers have yet to introduce their first hybrids, the Prius represents the engineering might of Toyota and perhaps the future of gasoline-powered automobiles.” on Automobile Magazine

“For those who want their car to serve as a green badge of commitment, the Prius is still the answer.” on Car and Driver

“I have to admit, this might just be the most impressive vehicle I have ever driven.” on Automobile.com

“On the whole the Prius is so proficient for its price that it should no longer be categorized as a quirky, alternative-fuel vehicle, but as an above-average mass-market sedan that just happens to have some extra brains under the hood.” on U.S. News

Tokyo-TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to begin a gradual rollout in Japan in mid-2010 of its newly developed “G Sports”1 (G’s) sports conversion car2 series. The series, to be sold through Toyota-brand dealers, is meant to offer to a wider range of people the “automotive seasoning” that TMC has pursued through its GAZOO Racing3 activities.

The G’s series is designed for customers who strongly desire to own a unique vehicle, offering them a personalized interior and exterior design along with sports-driving performance. TMC has directly designed this sports conversion series, instead of the conventional approach of outsourcing development to a customization firm.

The base vehicle of the G’s series is equipped with internal and external components that include sports suspension, aerodynamic parts and racing-style seats. A special focus has been placed on “driving seasoning” to make handling fun, through fine-tuning carried out by the GAZOO Racing test drivers who drove the Lexus “LF-A” in the 24 Hours Nürburgring race in Germany and developed the “iQ”-based “GAZOO Racing tuned by MN4″ (GRMN).

Prius Major Characteristics Table G Sports Concept

Grade base model
S Touring Selection

Model Cars
ZVW30-AHXEB

Vehicle weight
1,360 kg

Engine
2ZR-FXE

DISPLACEMENT
1.797L

Maximum output
73kW (99PS) / 5,200 r.p.m

Torque
142N?m (14.5kg?m) / 4,000 r.p.m

Fuel supply
EFI (electronic fuel injection)

Vehicle dimensions (length × width × height)
4,570 mm × 1,785 mm × 1,460 mm

Wheelbase
2,700 mm

Seating capacity
Five

Drivetrain
2WD (front-wheel drive)

Transmission
Electric variable transmissions

Outside board color “code”
Majora

“Outline” Moon Craft Yura Style
* Front bumper
* G’s emblem (side, rear)
* LED beam line
* 18-inch alloy wheels and performance tires
* Red dots mark Toyota pedestal
* Rear bumper
* Dual Muffler
* Rocker Mall
* Carbon Aero Mirror
* Kabonborutekkusujenereta
* Kabonriasupoira
* Kabonkuotapaneru (G’s with logo)
* Autarenzureddoriakonbineshonranpu
* G’s Sheet Cutting

“Indoor”

* Black in color
* Red-stitched leather steering wheel, piano black decorating
* Red Piano Black shift knob and decorative
* Piano Black center cluster decorating
* Air Diffuser Air conditioning decorative piano black
* Red Line, G’s glove box with Mark
* Push start switch with G’s logo
* Aluminum pedals
* G’s RECARO seats (D, P seats)
* Red seat (seat)
* Black & Red Paipingufuroamatto
* CAN display information display

“Functional”

* Supotsurodaunsasupenshon (-30mm)
* 4Pod caliper front facing, rear caliper opposed 2Pod (ADVICS made)
* Furontosurittorota Φ334, Riasurittorota Φ310
* Sports brake pads (ADVICS made)
* Reinforced Body
* Underbody aero parts
* Pafomansudanpa (made by Yamaha)

Generally, buying used hybrid cars are no different than buying regular or conventional cars. There are certain things one must look into first. Start by selecting a choice of model year and make. Does one on your list have more problems than the other? If yes, what are the problems? And can they be easily solved? Or is it less encouraging to buy? The most common thing to do will be to look up different websites or magazine and read up on as many reviews as you can about the car make and model you had in mind. What common complaints do owners of that particular car have? This will help prepare you when inspecting the car for yourself.

Secondly, check the physical aspects of the car when selecting. Test to see if the odometer is reading and what is the reading. Has this specific car been in accident? If yes, how many were major ones? It is better and recommended that you purchase used cars from certified dealer (dealer that is authorized for that vehicle make).

Now for the main focus.

When it comes to buying used hybrid cars, the main concern should be the batteries. Here is where sufficient homework is needed to be done – do your own research! Different manufacturers may offer different warranties in comparison. And the warranties are often accurate implications of how long the battery is expected to last. If it is still under warranty, then rest assured you most likely won’t need to spend on a replacement battery until the warranty is well expired. Current costs of replacing hybrid batteries range from $2000 – $3000. These figures are naturally expected to reduce as the number of on-road hybrid cars increase and battery technology improves.

Be sure to check other important components of the car as well for warranties (not just the batteries). You could also seek auto shops’ to inspect the hybrid.

Mileage – another vital aspect to look into. Basically, buying any used cars with lower mileage is better than having bought cars with higher mileage simply because lower mileage means that there are less wear and tear (especially on the hybrid’s components). Take not that most hybrid cars especially the first batch (2000 makes) have exceeded 100,000 miles. So far hybrid cars have been as reliable as non-hybrid cars if not more, any problems would have been corrected by the manufacturers for later hybrid production batches.

Air filter of the vehicle needs to be changed once every six months. It is the lungs of the car so be sure to check the air filter of the hybrid during inspection. And ensure that you continue to maintain it after purchase, not point in buying the right car but not maintaining it the right way.

Inverter coolant should also be inspected because under normal circumstances, it is expected to be replaced at the 30,000 mile service. Sometimes you can inspect this by looking at the car’s service receipt. If you can’t tell that it has been recently replaced, replace it!

Finally, it is often that the importance of the owner’s manual is overlooked, read it! You’ll never know what you find out that could prove helpful should the situation arise!

Hybrids or any other car for that matter requires a minimum six months break in period (approximately 5,000 miles or more) before being able to achieve the maximum mpg’s (peak). After the break-in period, there are few tips to ensure maximum mileage:

When to Drive
First of all, try to get as many things or errands done in one attempt. And avoid rush-hour traffic – traffic congestions means lots of stopping, which means a waste of energy. Secondly, it is unavoidable that the first 5 – 10 minutes of driving gives the worst mileage. Avoid driving on rainy or snowy conditions.

Route Selection
Speed is the key. The most suitable routes for better mileage are distances without stops, and speed limits of 30-35 mph. Hills should not be a concern though, as the downhill stretches enables regenerative braking to recharge the batteries.

Wind is also the key. Select routes that are less windy because the hybrid’s aerodynamics is only streamlined for head-on gusts, side winds may affect the mpg. Tail winds on the other hand are great.

Tire Pressure
Generally the maximum tire pressure will maximize mileage (Do not use the recommended tire pressure). Do some research to determine the maximum tire pressure and maintain it, checking it regularly and try not to let the pressure fall below maximum level.

Fuels
High octane gasoline actually provides less energy. Low octane gasoline is the best. There is slightly less energy in a gallon of high octane fuel, than low octane. If the engine is designed for high octane then higher octane fuel will result in higher performance (with full-open throttle), but not necessarily fuel cost savings, since the high-octane is only needed with the throttle fully open.

On The Drive – Acceleration
Never attempt to reach 60 mph as fast as possible because the hybrid is not designed as a maximum acceleration sport car. Accelerate moderately by feel, let the car accelerate smoothly.

In the event that a rapid acceleration is required (such as entering highways), stomp the gas and go. The battery power that runs in addition to the gasoline engine will lower fuel use as much as possible.
For highway cruising, the standard and usual best results are derived at approximately 55 mph.

On The Drive – Deceleration
For low mileage, the goal is to ‘glide’, ‘coast’ and apply ‘regenerative braking’ at every possible chance even at low traffic conditions.

Gliding – while traveling, avoid pressure on accelerator then slightly re-apply pressure momentarily. This technique can only work when the engines are completely warmed up.

Coasting – This technique is to lift your foot off the accelerator and yet do not apply any pressures on the brakes. Slight regenerative braking is applied and thus allows fuel saving.

Regenerative Braking – When braking, do not brake abruptly. Instead, hold down the brakes slowly but enough to stop at the point intended. The electric motors will now act as generators.

Mechanical Braking – Firmly stomp on the brakes. This does is the braking technique you want to avoid at all costs, well maybe not at all costs – you have to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting something or someone – but as much as you can.

Gear Selection
The gear selections should be appropriate as to uphill or downhill routes, and maintain cruising gear for cruising speed to reduce mileage. One important point is the B gear. The B gear should only be used when going a long downhill. B gear allows the engine to slow down without overuse of the brakes and overcharge of the batteries.

Air-conditioning
On hot days, the temperature of the air-con should be few degrees lower than outside temperature to keep air flowing into the car without much use of energies.
Maximum setting is strongly discouraged.

In December 1997, the brainchild of Toyota’s team of eco-friendly engineers which began research 3 years earlier was launched in Japan. As it grew in status and prove its reliability, it did not take long for the Prius to hit American and European shores. To be precise, that happened in 2001 but considering the fact that it was a car already three years into production with certain worries regarding the battery lifespan, many were skeptical and Toyota was in need of an overhaul. That did not take long because as early as 2004, the current generation of the Toyota Prius was introduced.

The new Prius was a hit as it reached the shores of over 40 countries worldwide, especially in Japan and North America as it convinced larger crowds to switch to its hybrid concept by not just promising but providing better fuel consumption, performance, space and killed worries about the lifespan of its batteries. Its success in luring and satisfying its buyers and owners led to sales passing the one million mark as of 2008.

Due to its success in technical and marketing aspects, the Toyota Prius has been recognized with a long list of awards throughout the years. Since its launch in 1997 right up till today, it has collected numerous ‘Car of the Year’ awards from a great number of magazines originating from a large variation of countries. That feat is toppled by its success in winning awards for its technological advancements which include the ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ title awarded by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 2004 and ‘The World’s Greenest Car’ as named by the Swiss government after a draft study which included a list of more than 6000 cars.

In the Prius, Toyota has delivered and the response has since been overwhelming. Twenty years ago, a commercially available car which runs on both gasoline and batteries would be a laughable topic but as the environment status of the world changed together with the needs of the world’s people, Toyota has made this concept a reality which can be embraced by not just lab engineers but normal people who drive cars daily. From its grassroots more than a decade ago to where it stands now in the market and inside the fast pace of technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry, the Toyota Prius has proved to be one of the greatest cars of our time.