SLEEKER LOOKS The new Prius is larger, sportier and cleaner than the outgoing model

By Lionel Kong

TOYOTA HAS LAUNCHED the new Prius at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The next generation of the popular hybrid car will retain the same basic method of propulsion as the outgoing model, meaning that it can run on the petrol engine, electric motor or a combination of the two depending on road and traffic conditions.

Nickel metal-hydride batteries power the car’s electric motor, and are recharged by the petrol engine or through regenerative braking.

The new car will use a 1.8-litre engine together with an improved Hybrid Synergy Drive system that has been designed to be even more economical without sacrificing performance. Toyota states that the chassis of the Prius features more aluminium in its construction for lighter weight.

While the car’s shape is visually very similar to its predecessor, aerodynamic tweaks have made it even more slippery through the air. Underbody airflow has been improved to ensure better stability at speed.

A look at the car’s interior shows that the gearshift, which was a small little nub on the dashboard in the previous car, has been moved to a more conventional position in the middle of the centre console. A convenient storage space can be found beneath the console, which is slightly raised. A fully digital instrument cluster is situated in the centre and upper edge of the dashboard.

Advancements in technology also mean that there is now more space in the boot because the batteries are more compact. Rear passengers gain more headroom as well.

There are no firm dates on when the car is arriving in Singapore yet but a representative from Toyota’s local distributor Borneo Motors says it will most probably be launched in the 1st half of this year.