CS&S Hybrid Powered Sports Car Concept
Published: 1st September 2003
The new generation Toyota Prius will be formally introduced to the European public at Frankfurt, following the car’s world debut in Detroit at the beginning of the year and its appearance as an official car at the World Athletics Championships in Paris in August.
As well as being the most technologically advanced car on the market, the Prius also offers a radical and intelligent design, combining the distinctive qualities of a saloon, and the versatility of an estate car in a practical five-door hatchback. Aerodynamics play a significant role in improving fuel economy, the Prius having a class leading coefficient of drag of 0.26. The Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain enables nought to 62mph acceleration in less than 11 seconds and more than 65mpg in combined cycle driving. The Prius is exceptionally clean, too, producing nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbon emissions 88.8 per cent below Euro IV standards.
The pioneering technology deployed in the new Prius includes the world’s first fully electric active safety package, including a by-wire braking system and the first application of an electric inverter air conditioning system with humidity sensor. UK sales are scheduled to begin in early 2004.
New Engines For Toyota Avensis
Two new engines for the British-built Toyota Avensis will be presented
at Frankfurt: a flagship 2.4-litre direct injection petrol unit
and the low emissions 2.0-litre D-CAT diesel. Introducing these
new engines will give Avensis the widest complete range of Euro
IV-compliant petrol and diesel power units on the market.
The 2.4-litre unit will be the largest direct injection engine in
its class in Europe. Producing 161bhp at 5,800rpm and 230Nm at 3,800rpm,
it will power the Avensis from rest to 62mph in 9.1 seconds and
achieve a top speed, where permitted, of 138mph. It will be offered
with a new transmission with a multi-mode system allowing the driver
to choose between fully automatic or semi-sequential gearshifts.
