TOYOTA Prius v | Toyota Prius v Exhibition

TOYOTA PRIUS v

A Wagon Body Joins the Prius Lineup

Toyota Motor Corporation exhibited the new Prius v at the 2011 North American International Auto Show (Detroit Auto Show) in Detroit, USA, held until Sunday, January 23rd.

By Dai Matsuo

The Expanding Prius Family

The first in a series of Prius derivatives, the "Prius v" is newly added to the lineup. As rumored, it features a wagon body and is slightly larger than the current Prius.

With dimensions of 4,615mm in length, 1,775mm in width, and 1,575mm in height, it is 155mm longer, 30mm wider, and 85mm taller than the current model. The wheelbase has also been extended by 80mm, with the increased body size primarily allocated to interior and luggage space.

The interior space enhances visibility from the rear seats, which was a point of improvement for the current Prius. Despite the raised seating position, it maintains ample headroom, a notable advantage. The front and rear seat pitch is 38 inches (approximately 96.5 cm), ensuring comfortable space even for taller passengers. The luggage space measures 34.3 cubic feet (approximately 971 liters), which Toyota states is larger than that of typical compact SUVs. It is a new-generation mid-size station wagon that caters to diverse lifestyles with its spacious interior and practical, ample luggage capacity.

The exterior design retains the Prius's signature stylish "triangle silhouette" form, connecting the front and rear tires to the cabin. However, the upright wagon body at the rear introduces some aerodynamic loss. Despite this, the drag coefficient (Cd) is 0.29 for the Prius v, a modest increase from the Prius's 0.25, indicating it has not drastically worsened.

Achieving High Environmental Performance Marked as SULEV/Tier 2 Bin 3

The powertrain is a hybrid system combining an Atkinson cycle 1.8-liter 2ZR-FXE engine with an electric motor, similar to the standard Prius. The engine produces a maximum output of 73 kW (99 hp) at 5,200 rpm and a maximum torque of 142 Nm (14.5 kgm) at 4,000 rpm. The motor delivers a maximum output of 60 kW (82 hp) and a maximum torque of 207 Nm (21.1 kgm), resulting in a total system output of 100 kW (136 hp).

In terms of fuel economy, Toyota's internal target for the US standard is 40 mpg (approximately 17 km/l). While CO2 emissions have not been announced, the exhaust gas performance is reported to meet SULEV (a vehicle that reduces emissions by 75% compared to the 2005 Japanese standard) / Tier 2 Bin 3 (a US emission standard implemented since 1994, where Bin 1 refers to zero-emission vehicles like EVs, and for internal combustion engines, the highest is Bin 2).

The interior design features a horizontal instrument panel that enhances the sense of spaciousness, creating a simple and modern atmosphere.

Equipment includes an air conditioning system with a single dial for controlling temperature, fan speed, and mode. It also features LED headlights, radar cruise control, and Toyota's first large panoramic roof made of resin. For safety, it comes standard with S-VSC and seven SRS airbags, with an optional pre-crash safety system available.

While the release date and pricing for the Prius v in Japan have not been disclosed, it is scheduled to go on sale in the North American market in late summer this year.