The most popular hybrid amongst Hollywoods elite makes it public debut and world premiere at the Los Angeles Motor Show.
Since the launch of the original model in 1997, the Toyota Prius has been a leader of technical innovation with its world-leading self-charging hybrid technology. Four generations on, the new Prius is the first Toyota to benefit from Hybrid AWD-i, Toyota’s latest, intelligent, electric all-wheel drive system featuring a new, compact nickel-metal hydride hybrid battery designed for excellent cold weather performance.
Engineered to engage automatically when pulling away at speeds up to 7mph or between 7 and 44mph when low-grip or slippery road conditions are detected, the smart system uses an additional high-torque electric motor to provide extra drive through the rear axle when required for improved control and handling. The unit is compact and lightweight, with no centre differential or front-to-rear driveshaft, so there is minimal intrusion in boot space and allows for a flat floor in the rear footwell for greater comfort and leg room for rear seat passengers.
Built on Toyota’s new global architecture (TNGA) GA-C platform, the latest model of the Prius comes with improved technology and evolved styling with sharper more defined accents for a dynamic flowing silhouette.
In the front, new bi-beam LEDs are encased in the sweeping slim newly designed headlight unit to give a wider field of illumination for improved visibility and safety for night time driving. At the rear, new combination lamps focus the eye on a strong horizontal line to emphasise the car’s low centre of gravity and are fitted with new-design light guides.
The cabin has also seen some minor refinements with new cloth upholstery finishes introduced and small but telling changes to the centre console arrangement and some controls on the instrument panel. The Toyota Touch 2 multimedia hub sees upgraded performance with improved response time to actions and can be operated using “pinch and flick” gestures as you would on smartphones. In addition, to keep up with today’s large screen smartphone user, the size of the wireless charging tray has been increased. Turn-by-turn navigation directions have also been added to the head-up display functionality.
The new 2019 Toyota Prius will be making its first European appearance at the Brussels Motor Show on January 18. Sign up to our mailing list or notifications to be kept up to date.
