Prius American Hybrid Cars

Prius American hybrid cars won the 2004 American Car of the Year Award, among other awards.

The Prius was introduced to the American market in 2000, three years after the successful deput in Japan in 1997.

Toyota’s Prius is the most popular hybrid car in the United States with sales of 53,991 in 2004.

One sign of the huge popularity is the fact that customers may have to wait as long as six months to get a Toyota Prius.

The long waiting times prevail even despite a price that is about $3,000 over similarly sized vehicles.

As the popularity of the Prius continues for the fifth year in the States, Toyota has plans to double the number of Prius hybrids for the U.S. market in 2005.

All in all, Toyota aims to sell over 300,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide this year.

Prius American Hybrid Cars Features

The features in the new Prius represent the second generation of Toyota hybrid car technology.

You can still find the first generation technology from car manufacturers that have licensed the hybrid technology from Toyota, such as Ford.

The features in the second generation Prius hybrid technology include:

• Hybrid Synergy Drive
• Gasoline Engine
• Type: Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve
• VVT-i 4-cylinder
• Displacement 1.5 liters (1497 cc)
• Bore x stroke 75.0 mm x 84.7 mm
• Compression ratio 13.0:1
• Valvetrain 4-valve/cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
• Induction system: Multi-point EFI with Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)
• Ignition system: Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
• Power output 76 hp @ 5000 rpm (57 kW @ 5000 rpm)
• Torque 82 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm (111 Nm @ 4200 rpm)
• Emission ratings Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)
• Electric Motor
• Motor type Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
• Power output 67 hp @ 1200-1540 rpm (50 kW @ 1200-1540 rpm)
• Torque 295 lb.-ft. @ 0-1200 rpm (400 Nm @ 0-1200 rpm)
• Voltage 500V maximum
• Traction Battery
• Type Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
• Power output 28 hp (21 kW)
• Voltage 201.6V
• Hybrid System Net Power 110 hp (82 kW)
• Mechanical/Performance
• Transmission
• Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)
• Suspension
• Front: Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
• Rear: Torsion beam with stabilizer bar
• Steering Rack-and-pinion with electric power-assist
• Turning circle (ft.) 34.1
• Brakes Power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and integrated regenerative braking

Prius American Hybrid Cars Competition

Competition for the 2005 Toyota Prius includes the 2005 Honda Civic.

You can get a Toyota Prius 4dr Hatchback (1.5L 4cyl CVT) in the same price range (MRSP $20,875) as a Honda Civic Hybrid 4dr Sedan (1.3L 4cyl CVT) (MRSP $20,800).

As for fuel efficiency, which is an important measure for many who consider buying a hybrid car, these two car compare as:

• Toyota Prius EPA Mileage Estimates
• City: 60 mpg
• Highway: 51 mpg
• Honda Accord EPA Mileage Estimates
• City: 48 mpg
• Highway: 47 mpg

In fact, the Toyota Prius is the second most fuel efficient car (on unadjusted combined mpg basis) in the EPA Green Vehicle Guide, just behind Honda Insight.


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