The first details of the 2016 Toyota Prius have been announced ahead of the Frankfurt Motor Show. It takes the Japanese manufacturer’s popular hybrid into its fourth generation and Toyota claims it takes “the biggest leap yet in performance.”
Toyota also says the all-new Prius will be better to drive. As the first model built on the Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform, the latest Prius will have a lower centre of gravity, improving handling and stability. Rather like the Volkswagen Group’s MQB modular platform, TNGA will be used to create a large variety of future Toyota models.
The Prius’ battery pack is also said to be smaller and more energy-dense than before. Along with a compact double-wishbone suspension set-up, Toyota claims there’s no boot intrusion, so practicality should be improved, which is good news for families.
As well as predicting a sizeable economy boost from an improved 1.8-litre engine, and new electric motors, Toyota says: “acceleration is smoother and more responsive, and, at higher speeds, is quieter and has a more linear feel that is better aligned to engine speed.” Official economy figures have not been released, but CO2 emissions of below 80g/km should be possible.
The TNGA platform also means the car looks lower and sleeker, with rakish headlamps that extend particularly far rearwards down the bonnet. The characteristic – and aerodynamic – split rear windscreen and spoiler are retained, but it’s now more accentuated by a rising belt line along each side of the car, and flanked by tall rear lights. Design links with the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell car are clear to see.
The dashboard layout is still very simple and uncluttered, but the gear selector has moved to the centre console and materials appear more upmarket than before. The steering wheel also has a new design, with a sportier look than before.
More information will be released at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, so check back then. The Toyota Prius is expected to go on sale in the first half of 2016.
