2012 Toyota Prius V

The Japanese car maker has released photos and details with the 2012 Toyota Prius V, as their new hybrid minivan had its world debut at this year’s Detroit Motor Show.
The similarities between the regular 5-door version and the 2012 Toyota Prius V are not only in terms of design, as both cars share the same platform, while the new hybrid minivan promises a 50 percent more space inside its cabin.
Under its skin, the 2012 Toyota Prius V has also received the same hybrid powertrain as the regular Prius, which means an 1.8-litre Atkinson cycle petrol plant backed by an electric motor, working together to enable consumption figures of 40 mpg (combined cycle).
Some of the technology inside the 2012 Toyota Prius V includes the new Entune multimedia system which supports mobile apps like as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com.
The 2012 Toyota Prius V price was not announced, but the company did specify that sales will begin in late summer 2011.
Toyota press release :
DETROIT (Jan. 10, 2011) – Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.,
unveiled the Prius family of vehicles today at the 2011 North American
International Auto Show.  In addition to the current third-generation
Prius and Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV), the new Prius v midsize hybrid-electric vehicle and the Prius c Concept vehicle joined the iconic hybrid brand, broadening the appeal of Prius to all ages and lifestyles.
 
With the expansion of the Prius family, a new evolution of vehicles
will further increase the acceptance of hybrids with Prius’ same core
values of high fuel economy, low emissions, proven technology and
environmental stewardship.
 
“This is no ordinary family.  It’s a modern family with a Prius for
everyone,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and
general manager.  “The Prius v is an all-new dedicated hybrid
vehicle, and all future Prius family members will be as well.  They will
all share common Prius attributes but will be unique, with a special
appeal to different buyers.”
 
The Prius midsize liftback has accounted for more than 955,000
sales in the U.S. since it was introduced in 2000.  The third-generation
Prius, which reached dealerships in June 2009, has continued the
hybrid’s heritage of exceptional fuel economy and low emissions, while
becoming the third-best selling Toyota passenger car in the U.S.
 
The Prius has also been a technological flagship vehicle, offering
new features to the Toyota brand like Touch Tracer Display, Solar
Powered ventilation, Smart Key System with Push Button Start, Lane Keep
Assist, an Advanced Parking Guidance System and LED headlamps.
 
Prius v: “Versatility” for Young, Active Families
The new Prius v, with “v”  expressing the vehicle’s versatility,
will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while
providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA.  It
will share the current generation Prius’ platform and Hybrid Synergy
Drive technology.  Featuring a compact exterior yet spacious interior,
the Prius v will feature over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius.
 
With a balance between outstanding spaciousness, refined style, and smooth aerodynamics, Prius v
has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which does not inhibit the
vehicle’s convenient packaging.  It is a new vehicle designed from the
ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an
elongated version.
 
The exterior styling is sleek, rounded and bold, with an extended
roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette
symbolic of Prius.  The trapezoidal-shaped front features sharp-edged
headlamps, wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics and an
enlarged under grille, which all help create a unique design evolving
from the current Prius.  Prius v’s rear styling is highlighted
by a refined backdoor panel, intricate combination taillights and a
specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.
 
Inside, the Prius v emphasizes overall proportion with
spaciousness and flexibility for active families.  Comfortable interior
space and good visibility has been assisted by a high seating position,
ample head room, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing
generous rear legroom.  A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3
cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most
spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market and better than some
compact SUVs.
 
Comfortable seating for five is specifically designed for young
families.  Sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress
and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater
comfort.  The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four different
seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and
luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely
long cargo.
 
Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View
moonroof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open
atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as
compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and excellent
heat insulation performance.
 
Up front, instrument-panel controls, including a single-dial
air-conditioning control and a center-mounted digital combination meter,
provide an advanced look and user-friendly command.  The driving
controls – including the Push Button Start, parking switch, electronic
shift lever, and driving mode selection – are distinguished by silver
trim.
 
Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v
will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 38 mpg
highway and 40 mpg combined, the best fuel economy ratings of any SUV,
crossover, or wagon on the market.  It will also emit 66-percent fewer
smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle.
 
Like the current generation Prius, the Prius v is a
showcase of technology that will include many of the same standard
features.  Four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV) satisfy a
variety of road conditions and driver preferences.  A Smart Key System
with Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist
Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard.  Available options
include energy-efficient LED headlamps, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Advanced Parking Guidance System.
 
For a high level of safety, there are seven airbags, a
high-strength cabin and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact
beams, cross members and leg absorption pads.  New driver and
front-passenger seat design helps lessen possible whiplash injury during
a collision.
 
Like all Toyota models, the Prius v will feature Toyota’s
Star Safety System™ standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control
(VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS),
Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.  It also
features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.
 
Prius v will be one of the first Toyotas with the Entune™
multimedia system.  For the first time ever in an automobile, this
innovative new system leverages the mobile phone to provide a richer
in-vehicle experience with fully integrated and wireless upgradeable
navigation, entertainment and information services.
 
Toyota Entune debuts the first-ever support for engaging mobile
apps, such as Bing, OpenTable,  and movietickets.com,  along with
accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic,
fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports.
 
Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options
available to a vehicle, including iheartradio’s 750+ stations, Pandora’s
personalized music, the driver’s personal songs from portable media
players and iPods (via USB or Bluetooth audio streaming), and more than
170 stations from XM satellite radio.
 
Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice
recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road,
Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice
commands and helps reduce driver distraction.
 
Entune will also allow for audio read-back and replay capabilities
for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set “Quick Reply
Messages.”
 
Prius v will combine Entune with a standard Display Audio
system rich with dynamic entertainment and communication features.  The
system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase; XM
radio, weather, sports, stocks and local fuel pricing; Bluetooth
hands-free phone and wireless audio; and full iPod integration including
music and video.
 
A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and
Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012
Prius v will go on sale in late summer 2011.
 
Prius c Concept: Small “city”-centric Hybrid Vehicle
While the current Prius has ushered hybrid technology into the mainstream, and the Prius v
will provide the additional room and versatility for active families,
compact shoppers are interested in a smaller hybrid at an entry price
point and with superior fuel economy.  The Prius c Concept, with c
representing a “city”-centric vehicle, will appeal to young singles and
couples who want an eco-sensitive, high-mileage, fun-to-drive Prius.
 
This dynamic vehicle with urban appeal will pursue outstanding fuel
efficiency in a compact package, while also providing a surprisingly
spacious interior.  It will include many advanced technology features,
including some offered on the current Prius.
 
Prius c Concept is the inspiration for an additional Prius
family member that will come to market in the first half of 2012 as the
most value-oriented hybrid in the U.S. market with the highest mileage
of any “cordless” hybrid.
 
Prius Plug-In Vehicle: the Best of Both Worlds
Since its initial launch 10 years ago, one of the Prius’ main
efficiencies has been a hybrid system with its own on-board recharging
system that never needed to be plugged in to take people where they
wanted to go.  With the addition of new technology and shifts in the
market, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is the family member that represents
the best of both worlds – the superior fuel economy of the Prius with
added EV driving capability.
 
Depending on driving conditions, Prius Plug-in can be driven
approximately 13 miles on battery power at speeds up to 60 mph.  Its
compact Lithium-ion battery provides less weight and a quicker
recharging time, taking three hours on 110 volts and 1.7 hours on 220
volts.  It can be “topped off” anytime with a convenient short charge.
 
After the EV power is depleted, the Plug-in performs like an
economical third-generation Prius, the most fuel efficient midsize
hybrid vehicle in America.  Unlike pure EVs, it will be a seamless
transition for consumers, with the only difference from a regular Prius
is that it can be plugged in at convenient intervals.
 
Currently, more than 150 Lithium-ion-battery powered Prius Plug-ins
are part of a demonstration program in several U.S. cities.  The
program’s goal is to demonstrate plug-in technology, educate and inform
the public, evaluate performance, and better understand the benefits to
future customers.  This will help pave the way for an on-sale target in
the first half of 2012.
 
The Plug-in will be initially offered in 14 West and East Coast
states (Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont,
Washington, Virginia and New Hampshire) where nearly 60 percent of all
Prius models are currently sold. Availability in all remaining states
will be a year later.
 
When it comes to market, the Prius Plug-in will represent the most
eco-sensitive and advanced choice within the Prius brand of products.

 
2012 PRIUS v PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
 
Powertrain

 
Dimensions (inches)