Toyota Reveals All-New Prius

DETROIT, Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.,
unveiled the all-new 50-mile-per gallon rated third-generation Prius hybrid
vehicle today at the 2009 North American International Auto show.

Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered
superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than one million owners
worldwide for more than 10 years.

The midsize third-generation 2010 Prius will offer even better mileage
ratings, enhanced performance, and innovative design features. It will be
quieter, roomier, and equipped with advanced standard and available features
such as a moonroof with solar panels, four driving modes, Intelligent Parking
Assist (IPA) and steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument
panel.

An Eco-Icon
The first-generation Prius entered the market in 1997 as the world's first
mass-produced hybrid. The name Prius, "to go before" in Latin, became symbolic
of a car that was launched even before environmental awareness had become a
mainstream social issue.

From the beginning, Toyota's full-hybrid system was developed in-house and has
become a driving force behind advanced vehicle technology. The company's
exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive System was introduced in 2004 on the
second-generation Prius. Since then, more than 670,000 have been sold in the
U.S.

In designing the new, third-generation Prius, Toyota engineers combined a
careful refinement of existing systems with an aggressive measure of new
technology necessary for the future of automobiles.

Fuel Economy and Environmental Performance
The new Prius will be built using processes that reduce pollution in every
stage of vehicle life, from production and driving, through to disposal.

The third-generation Prius extends its record of continuous improvement in
fuel economy. The first-generation Prius, which was rated 41 EPA combined mpg,
was replaced by the current model, which is EPA rated at 46 mpg, combined
city/highway. Using a combination of technologies, fuel efficiency was
increased to an estimated 50 miles per gallon for the new Prius.

A larger and more powerful 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine will
power the new Prius. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the larger engine
actually helps improve highway mileage. By making more torque, the new engine
can run at lower average rpm on the highway. When operating at lower rpm, the
new engine uses less fuel. Mileage is especially improved in cold-start
conditions and at higher speeds.

Use of an electric water pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system
also contribute to the engine's efficiency. The 1.8-liter Prius engine is the
first Toyota power plant that requires no belts under the hood for better fuel
economy and less potential maintenance.

A multi-information display panel that monitors fuel and energy consumption is
standard. It provides feedback on the Prius' efficiency using three different
displays to help the driver acquire economical driving habits.

Unlike most other hybrid vehicles available, Prius has been a "full" hybrid
since introduction. This allows it to run on engine alone, battery alone, or a
combination of both. The system blends the best of parallel hybrid and series
hybrid designs to achieve the ability to operate on the electric mode alone,
and to charge the batteries while the car is running.

The patented Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the 2010 Prius is 90 percent
newly-developed with significant improvements over previous models.

-- The transaxle is lighter in weight and reduces torque losses by as
much
as 20 percent compared to the previous model.
-- The inverter, which converts direct current to alternating current,
has
a new direct cooling system to reduce size and weight.
-- Taken together, the inverter, motor and transaxle are smaller and 20
percent lighter.
-- A newly developed electronically controlled regenerative braking
system
has been adopted, with control logic optimized to enhance
regeneration.

The new Prius will offer three alternative driving modes. EV-Drive Mode allows
driving on battery power alone at low speeds for about a mile, if conditions
permit. There is also a Power Mode, which increases sensitivity to throttle
input for a sportier feel, and an Eco Mode, which helps the driver achieve
their best mileage.

Cutting Edge Styling
In designing the new Prius, aerodynamic performance was an important factor.
The goal was to create a beautiful silhouette, while not compromising
function. Designers preserved the dynamic triangle form of the current
model--instantly recognizable as a Prius--but made alterations to the overall
profile, pillar position and angle. The front pillar, extended forward, helps
refine the performance-focusing, shaped form.

The overall height of the Prius is the same, but the roof profile is altered
by moving the top of the roof 3.9 inches to the rear. This emphasizes the
wedge shape, and also allows for enhanced rear headroom and improved
aerodynamics.

The design of the new Prius' front and rear corners are sharp, sporty and
aerodynamic. Strong side character lines, rising from front to rear, define
the glazed geometric shape. Viewed from the rear, wider rear treads provide a
solid, firmly rooted stance.

Dimensionally, the new Prius has the same wheelbase as the current generation.
Overall length is slightly increased by 0.6 inches, in part by moving the
front cowl forward.

World's Lowest Cd
The new Prius received more wind tunnel hours of testing than any other Toyota
in history, resulting in the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any mass-produced
vehicle in the world. By focusing on the shape of the body, underfloor,
wheelhouse liner and shape of the wheels, the designers of the new Prius were
able to reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25, compared to 0.26
for the previous model. The airflow under the car was studied extensively.
Engineers made changes to the shape of the fender liner, front surface of the
underfloor, and added a fin at the rear floor cover to increase linear
stability.

Advanced Equipment For a New Era
An available sliding glass moonroof is packaged with solar panels, located
over the rear seating area, that power a new ventilation system. This solar
powered ventilation system uses an electrically powered air circulation fan
that does not require engine assist. The system prevents the interior air
temperature from rising while the vehicle is parked, making the cool-down time
shorter when the driver returns to the vehicle, thus reducing the use of air
conditioning.

The remote air-conditioning system is the first system in the world to
function on battery-power alone and that can be remotely operated, so the
driver can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the
car.

Reducing the vehicle's power consumption, available LED (light emitting diode)
lamps are used for low beams and also in the tail and stop lamps. Air
conditioning, a major energy drain, has been re-engineered to increase
efficiency and cool-down performance. In addition, an exhaust heat
recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold
startup, for improved performance. It also heats up the passenger cabin more
efficiently.

Enhanced Vehicle Performance
The next-generation Prius is built on a new platform, which enables improved
handling stability, quieter operation, and collision safety. The suspension
consists of front struts and a rear intermediate beam design, as before, but
handling stability is advanced by improving the stabilizer layout, higher
caster angle and tuning the bushing characteristics. Disc brakes are now used
on all four corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in the current
model.

Weight was saved through use of aluminum in the hood, rear hatch, front
suspension axle and brake caliper and super high-tensile steel in the rocker
inner, center pillar, and roof reinforcement. To meet customer expectations
for everyday performance, zero-to-60 acceleration has been improved to 9.8
seconds, more than a second faster, in internal testing.

Better-performing sound insulation, working with improved vibration damping,
has been installed in various locations to reduce road noise.

Functional Interior Is Bigger on the Inside
Proving that small changes add up to big gains, the cargo area of the new
Prius was expanded 0.4 inches in length and 2.2 inches in width by using a new
and an improved layout of the battery cooling unit.

Rear seat legroom is enhanced by a new space-saving contoured front-seat
design.

Viewed from the cockpit, the center cluster smoothly flows from the instrument
panel to the console. Handy storage space has been added under the shift lever
by taking advantage of the shift-by-wire system. Simple, fin-type air vents
are consistent with the cabin's efficient appearance. Judicious use of silver
accents adds a finished, technical feel.

Touch sensors on the steering wheel switches are designed to reduce driver eye
movement for better concentration on the road. When the driver touches the
audio or info switch located on the steering wheel, a duplicate image is
displayed on the instrument panel, directly in front of the driver. This
system, called Touch Tracer, is the first system in the world to allow
steering wheel controls to read out on the instrument panel.

The ECO indicator on the Multi-Informational Display (MID) provides driver
feedback for lower fuel consumption.

In pursuit of developing various advanced technologies aimed at realizing
sustainable mobility, Toyota will use plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics
in the 2010 Prius. The newly-developed plastics, known as "ecological
plastic," will be used in the seat cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and
outer scuff plates, and deck trim cover. Ecological plastic emits less CO2
during a product lifecycle (from manufacturing to disposal) than plastic made
solely from petroleum; it also helps reduce petroleum use.

Safety Enhancements
The new Prius was designed to comply with class-top level collision safety
performance in each global region of sale, and to accommodate increasingly
strict safety requirements in the future.

In addition to advanced driver and front passenger Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS) airbags front and rear side curtain airbags, driver and passenger
seat-mounted side airbags and driver's knee airbag are standard equipment.

Active headrests are used in both front seats to reduce the possibility of
whiplash in a collision. Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake
Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), electronic traction control (TRAC) and
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are included with Toyota's standard Star
Safety System.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system, using advanced millimeter wave radar, is
an available option. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the
driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which
retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash
is unavoidable.

Next-generation Intelligent Parking Assist features simplified settings to
help guide the car into parking spaces.

A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is
engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.
Safety Connect, Toyota's first safety and security service, includes automatic
collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and an SOS call button. Safety
Connect will be available a few months after launch.

The development of the Prius has required applications for over 1,000 patents
filed across the world, of which 292 are U.S. applications.

Pricing for the 2010 Prius will be announced shortly before it goes on sale
late spring.

Public Web site: http://www.toyota.com

2010 PRUIS PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

POWERTRAIN
1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i
Engine horsepower: 98 hp @ 5,200 rpm
Engine torque: 105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Electric motor power output: 80 hp/153 lb-ft torque
Hybrid system net horsepower: 134 hp
Emission rating: SULEV (with AT-PZEV)
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission
Drive System: Front-wheel-drive
Hybrid battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride
Estimated fuel economy: 50 mpg (combined)*

DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 175.6
Overall Width: 68.7
Overall Height: 58.7
Wheelbase: 106.3
Ground clearance: 5.5
Coefficient of Drag: 0.25
Wheels: 15-inch alloy wheels
17-inch alloy wheels (optional)
Tire Size: 15-inch: 195/65R15
17-inch: 215/45R17 (optional)
Seating Capacity: 5
EPA class rating: Midsize

* Preliminary figure based on Toyota's internal testing. Actual mileage will
vary.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030501/TOYLOGO)

SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc.

Ming-Jou Chen, +1-310-468-4782, or Bill Kwong, +1-310-468-3764, or Sam Butto,
+1-310-468-7728, or Allison Takahashi, +1-310-468-5315, all of Toyota Division
Communications