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LOS
ANGELES -- Toyota was the first
automaker to come out with a mass-produced hybrid car, the Prius,
in 2001. Since then, Chevrolet released the Volt and Nissan is
offering the LEAF. Toyota is among the last automakers to the
electric vehicle party. The 2012 Prius will be equipped with a
1.8-liter, 4-cylinder hybrid engine. It produces 80 hp and 153
lb.-ft. of torque.
While
the LEAF has a driving range of about 100 miles and the Volt has
a range of nearly 40 miles, the Prius Plug-In will only go for
13 miles on battery power alone. Then, the vehicle turns into
a regular Prius, which gets an estimated 50 mpg. Two plug-in models
are being offered: a regular and an advanced version.
“The
Prius is expanding, the best-selling hybrid in the entire world,“
said Saul Ibarra, a Toyota product specialist. “People wanted
different types of hybrid options. We are going to have a whole
family of Prius vehicles. The first quarter of next year the Prius
Plug-in will be available. This one is going to give you an extended,
all-electric range. This is the only Prius that you’re going
to be able to plug in.“
Both models
of the Prius Plug-in will come with 15-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels
and P195/65R15 tires. They also have the smart key system on all
three doors with push button start and remote illustrated entry.
Both models offer 60/40 split fold-down rear seats with adjustable
headrests.
In terms
of charging, they come standard with a charging cable for a 120-volt
outlet. In addition, both models offer two front 12-volt auxiliary
power outlets. Charging takes 3 hours with a 120-volt cable or
1.5 hours with a 240-volt cable. At this time, it is not set up
for the DC Fast Charge option.
“For
many years, we’ve been saying you don’t have to plug
it in, it recharges itself,“ Ibarra added. “Here,
this is the traditional Prius, but you’re going to be given
an additional battery. If you choose to plug it in, you don’t
have to, it will give you an all-electric range. It is scheduled
to be 13 miles at up to 62 mph. All of the plugs are standardized
now. When you have stations that you’re going to be able
to plug them in, they’re all the same.“
The advanced
model comes with LED headlamps while the regular model is equipped
with halogen headlamps. The advanced model comes with dynamic
radar cruise control while the standard model is equipped with
regular cruise control. The advanced Prius Plug-in comes with
an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The standard
Prius Plug-in is priced at $32,000 while the advanced model costs
$39,525.
For
more information on the Toyota Prius Plug-in, visit www.toyota.com/prius-plug-in.
