Third generation Toyota Prius. Toyota Prius III: On a starvation diet Typical problems and malfunctions

hybrid model Toyota Prius The next, third in order, incarnation with the internal marking "XW30" first officially appeared before a wide audience in early 2009 on the catwalks of the international auto show in Detroit, and already in May it went on sale.

The car retained the "cart" of its predecessor, but in other respects it has changed significantly. In the fall of the same year, the Prius Plug-In concept debuted, charging from a wall outlet, but it only entered the series in 2011. " Life cycle The five-door continued until 2015, when it was replaced by the assignee.

The appearance of the "third" Toyota Prius is modern, recognizable and original - "Toyota" designers succeeded in a car that instantly stands out from the stream of "classmates" (moreover, the "Plug-in Hybrid" version differs from the "ordinary hybrid" - a large number of "elegant lines" in the design front of the body). Of course, it is difficult to call the “Japanese” a hand-written handsome man, but there is a certain elusive appeal and balance in his exterior, which you will not find in every car.

In the company itself, the “third Prius” is positioned as a representative of the mid-size class, but formally it is a “borderline” model between the “golf” and “mid-size” classes: it is extended by 4480 mm in length, 1745 mm in width, and 1490 in height. mm. The hybrid has a 2700 mm wheelbase and 140 mm ground clearance.

The interior of the Toyota Prius looks quite ordinary, and only a two-layer display, visible from the “cave” at the very top of the dashboard and replacing conventional instruments, and a four-spoke multi-steering wheel with a flattened rim at the bottom add originality to it. On the center console, in turn, the touchscreen 7-inch monitor of the multimedia system, the “microclimate” unit with a monochrome “stripe” and the transmission joystick are “flattened”. Inside the five-door, only high-quality finishing materials are used, and the assembly is at an excellent level.

In front of the Prius's interior, there are comfortable seats with unobtrusive lateral support, sufficient adjustment intervals and heating. The rear sofa is “friendly” even for three riders, both in terms of layout and in terms of free space.

Toyota cargo area Prius third generation by the standards of the class is very roomy - 445 liters. With the rear seats folded down, its volume increases to 1120 liters, and even an absolutely even "rookery" is obtained. Underground are a full-size spare wheel, an organizer with tools and a traction battery.

Specifications. The hatchback is powered by a hybrid power plant, the "combined" return of which is 136 "stallions". Its “heart” is a 1.8-liter gasoline “four” operating according to the Atkinson cycle, with distributed injection, an exhaust gas recirculation system, a 16-valve timing and variable valve timing, developing 99 “horses” at 5200 rpm and 142 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. The internal combustion engine is assisted by a synchronous electric motor-generator, which is armed with 82 “mares” and 207 Nm of torque potential, a traction 200-volt air-cooled nickel-metal hydride battery and a planetary transmission that connects the engines to the front wheels.

From zero to 100 km/h, the Prius can accelerate in 10.4 seconds, and continues to pick up speed until it reaches 180 km/h. In mixed driving mode, the car “eats” no more than 3.9 liters of fuel for every “hundred”.

As already noted, in addition to the standard version, the hybrid is also available in a “plug-in” version called “Plug-in Hybrid”, equipped with batteries with a capacity of 4.4 kW / h (with the possibility of recharging them from a regular household outlet in 1.5 hours), which is on a clean electricity can cover up to 23 km.

The third "release" of the Toyota Prius is built on the front-wheel drive platform "New MC" with an independent "walker" type McPherson in front and a semi-independent architecture with an H-shaped crossbar in the rear (stabilizers are used on both axles). High-strength steel grades are widely used in the car body, and some of its elements are made of TSOP branded “Toyota” polymer of vegetable origin.
The Japanese hybrid in the “state” is equipped with a rack and pinion steering system equipped with an adaptive electric amplifier. The brakes of the five-door are disc on all wheels, but with ventilation in the front, supplemented by ABS, EBD and other electronic gadgets.

Options and prices. At the beginning of 2017, the third generation Prius can be purchased on the Russian secondary market at a price of 400 thousand rubles, and the cost of the most “fresh” copies exceeds 1.3 million rubles.
In all trim levels, the hatchback has: seven airbags, heated front seats, ESP, ABS, EBD, engine start with a button, two-zone "climate", an audio system with six speakers, leather interior, full LED optics, four power windows, 15-inch wheels, sensors parking (rear), light and rain and other equipment.

The new Toyota Prius has once again set high standards in the hybrid segment. Innovative technologies, comfort levels and even the design of a true hybrid - now there is a benchmark that other manufacturers can only reach for.

The Prius brand appeared on the market 12 years ago. In 1997, the world's first mass-produced hybrid rolled off the Toyota assembly line.

The name "Prius" in Latin means "to go earlier". It became symbolic for a car that was produced even before there was a human awareness of the need to protect the environment.

In 2003, sales of the second generation Toyota Prius started. These cars are still being produced and are very popular.

Designing new third Generations of the Prius, Toyota engineers have combined time-tested existing hybrid technologies with innovative developments of recent years into a single whole. During the development of the Prius, more than 1,000 patents were filed worldwide.

The debut of the serial Toyota Prius 2010 model year took place at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2009.

The new hybrid is built using technologies that reduce environmental pollution at every stage of a car's life, from production, operation to vehicle disposal.

The third generation Prius surpassed its record for fuel efficiency. Hidden under the hood of the Prius is a new 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol four that delivers 98 horsepower and 142 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm (previously the Prius had a 1.5-litre, developing 76 horsepower). The acceleration time of the new Prius to "hundreds" compared with the previous model was reduced by almost a second - to 9.8 seconds, and the average fuel consumption in the combined cycle decreased by 0.4 liters - to 4.7 liters per hundred kilometers. A significant role in reducing fuel consumption was played by the reduced weight of the hybrid due to the use of heavy-duty aluminum alloys.

Contrary to popular belief, a more powerful gasoline engine is used in a hybrid scheme when driving on the highway, and not during sharp accelerations. With high torque at low revs, the engine internal combustion can consume less fuel and at the same time efficiently maintain a constantly high speed.

The use of an electric coolant pump and a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system also contribute to engine efficiency. The 1.8-litre Prius engine is the first Toyota powerplant to not contain any belts under the hood.

Unlike most other hybrid vehicles in existence, the Prius is an uncompromising "full" hybrid. That is, he can ride on only one engine, only the battery, or a combination of both.

The newly developed electronically controlled regenerative braking system has been optimized to increase the amount of energy generated when braking.

The third generation Prius can offer its owner three alternative ways movement. The EV mode allows battery-only driving at low speeds for approximately 1.5 km if conditions permit. There's also Power Mode, which increases the feel of the accelerator pedal for a sportier ride, and Eco Mode, which helps the driver drive with the best possible fuel economy.

Toyota engineers managed to reduce the weight of the power plant and transmission, as well as reduce losses during torque transmission by 20%.

When designing the new Prius, the aerodynamic performance of the model was at the forefront. The designers had a difficult task - to develop a spectacular exterior and at the same time improve a number of important indicators: the volume of internal space and the aerodynamic drag coefficient.

The car has spent a huge amount of time in the wind tunnel, as a result, the new Prius has the best drag coefficient among its closest competitors - 0.25.

Toyota engineers are planning to install a hybrid solar panel on the roof to power the new climate control system. The system prevents the interior temperature from rising while the car is parked and reduces the cooling time accordingly when the driver returns to the car.

The new Prius also offers remote air conditioning. It is the first battery-only system in the world that allows this operation to be performed remotely, so the driver can adjust the internal temperature for comfort before getting into the car.

In addition, the latest exhaust gas recirculation system allows the use of high temperature exhaust and thereby reduces the energy costs for warming up the engine and the operation of the interior heater.

The third generation Toyota Prius is built on a completely new platform. Toyota engineers have done separate work to improve handling and comfort compared to the previous generation. The use of new soundproofing materials has significantly reduced road noise.

When developing the Prius platform, special attention was paid to improving the level of vehicle safety. Initially, more stringent criteria for the effectiveness of passive and active safety.

Already in the basic configuration there are seven airbags, including a knee one, and active head restraints will significantly reduce the risk of injury in a rear impact.

Prius equipped latest systems Active Safety: Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Traction Control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC).

Toyota used its latest developments on the production version of the hybrid, in particular, the distance control system, which uses millimeter-wave radar to avoid collisions with both moving and stationary objects. This same system can emergency, in a fraction of a second, prepare all the equipment responsible for the safety of passengers in the car for a possible collision: tighten the seat belts, bring the seats to an optimal state, increase the sensitivity of the brake pedal and notify the driver with an audible signal.

Parking the Prius is much easier thanks to the Intelligent Parking Assist. Multifunctional monitor that provides image transmission from the rear view camera during use reversing, will show the optimal trajectory when parking.

The wheelbase of the third-generation Toyota Prius remained the same, but due to the improved layout of the front passenger seats, it was possible to increase legroom rear passengers. The hybrid has grown a little in size: 15mm in length and 25mm in width. It also added spaciousness to the cabin.

All trim materials on the new Prius are made from new carbon-neutral plastics. It does not emit harmful substances during operation.

The instrument panel may duplicate information from the multifunction display. As soon as the driver touches the audio system control keys, information about the action taken will appear on the dashboard. On production cars, a dashboard with such capabilities was not previously installed.

Undoubtedly, the new Toyota Prius has once again become a trendsetter in the field of hybrid construction. But the number one automaker in the world has yet to relax, competitors are breathing down the back of the head. The cheaper hybrid Honda Insight seriously stirred up the Japanese market.

Toyota plans to correct the situation by expanding the line of hybrid models. The novelty will be based on compact hatchback Toyota Yaris. That is, in the near future we will see a modified Prius power plant on a new platform. The compact hybrid should, as conceived by Toyota marketers, seriously compete with opponents.

told

3.9 liters

hybrid Lexus

Toyota Camry.

At the end of October in dealer centers Toyota came up with two interesting new items at once. We have already talked about one of them, we will not ignore the other. Talking about hybrid Toyota car Prius, which was not officially delivered to Russia before.

The current Prius is the third generation of perhaps the most famous hybrid model in the world. Created in 1997 by the efforts of Japanese engineers, this car, over the 12 years of its existence, allowed Toyota to occupy a previously vacant niche in environmentally friendly clean cars, marking the vector of development for the entire automotive industry in the coming years. Over the years of its existence, the Prius of the first and second generations have sold over a million copies around the world.



I must say that once, in the years of its infancy, the Prius was a full-fledged sedan, and the plump "sirloin" part did not give it away. Everything changed with the advent of the second generation, which saw the light in 2004, already in hatchback status. The current car body is essentially a deep restyling of the previous one, just more advanced in terms of aerodynamics and more beautiful. But the platform is now different - it was borrowed from the current one Toyota Corolla, which is a shame, because before the Prius was built on its own. But what was unchanged in all three generations was the presence of a gasoline-electric power plant and a digital dashboard located in the center - a sort of symbol of a futuristic flagship leading the entire Japanese corporation to a brighter future!



Inside the Prius is really a real spaceship! The salon is trimmed only with ecological plastic, the console wraps around the perimeter, the dual-zone dashboard is replete with incomprehensible symbols. There is even a projector that displays information on windshield. However, if you look closely, you can see that there is a lot in common with the same Corolla - both in terms of content and the dubious quality of materials.

But not the interior, and not the design as a whole - the pride of the Prius. Pride is the most advanced hybrid drive in the world. At least, that's what the developers of the Hybrid Synergy Drive power plant say, which runs on nickel-metal hydride batteries located at the rear of the hatchback. It consists of two engines - a 98-horsepower 1.8-liter gasoline engine and an 80-horsepower electric motor. True, their indicators do not add up when receiving the total power, and in total we have only 134 hp. But passport expense fuel is impressive - total 3.9 liters per 100 kilometers. This is much better than the old Prius, which required all 5.1 liters.



The optimization of aerodynamics (the Cx coefficient is 0.25 - a real record!) and the refinement of the continuously variable ECVT (Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission) hybrid transmission with a planetary gearbox made it possible to reduce consumption. The principle is the same as that of Lexus hybrids, but the efficiency is even greater. For developers, it is very important that the most advanced hybrid in the world bear the Toyota name.

However, is a hybrid drive really that economical?

If you compare this car, say, with a two-liter diesel BMW 1 series, then the comparison will not be in favor of a hybrid. Yes, BMW consumes 4.8 liters in the combined cycle, but it rides like a sports car, accelerating to hundreds in 7.5 seconds (Prius accelerates in 10.4 seconds). Diesel Golf 1.6 comparable to the Prius in terms of dynamics, which, alas, is not represented in Russia, will consume from DSG box only 4.5 liters.



By the way, in one of the issues of the TopGear program, an interesting test for efficiency was shown, the participants of which were ... Toyota Prius and BMW M3 V8. Cars drove around the ring at a calm pace - the Prius first, the BMW behind him. Imagine everyone's surprise when the average consumption of the M3 turned out to be even lower than that of the Prius ...

The popularity of the Prius in the United States is understandable - the prices for heavy fuel there are rather big. But in our country it is possible to achieve this kind of fuel savings for significantly less money, and taking into account the ratio of prices for gasoline and heavy fuel, driving diesels is even cheaper ...

You can excuse yourself by saying that buying such a car is rather a matter of prestige. You will not only save on gasoline, but sign the desire to save the environment from CO2 emissions and make the city in which we live more environmentally friendly and clean. However, it would be strange to forget that rechargeable batteries are by no means environmentally friendly in production. The same TopGear test allows you to look at this problem much more broadly. For example, as the story says, in order to produce the same batteries for the Prius or to deliver these cars to the consumer in the States or Europe on huge ships, such environmental damage is caused that the minimum emissions of the car itself cannot compensate for it ...



In addition, a lot of purely Russian questions arise about hybrids: how are such machines operated in our conditions, especially in winter? What is the shelf life of the batteries? Does their capacity decrease over time? How do they perform in comparison with a diesel ... Until the answers to all these questions are found, no one will be in a hurry to switch to a hybrid ...

Finally, the price of the new model also raises doubts.

Whatever the car may be technically, it still remains just a golf-class hatchback. But the price of the Prius (1,177,000 rubles) lives an independent life, being higher than that of the most popular business class sedan Toyota Camry.

In the US, Toyota Prius costs $22,000, Russian customs duty adds another 50% to this figure. Another thing is that one could offer a choice different levels machine equipment. Then the price would fall to approximately 850,000-900,000 rubles. And these are quite real numbers.

Perhaps this considerable figure indicates that Toyota is withdrawing the Prius not to increase sales, but for prestige and strategic purposes. By the way, the only equipment is called “Prestige”, and you can’t call it poor: seven airbags, a stabilization system, a multimedia complex with Russified navigation, keyless access to the cabin and engine start with a button, an intelligent parking assistance system, sensory system on-board computer control on the steering wheel (Touch Tracer), LED headlights and lights. Isn't that premium?



The fact that Toyota is not going to massively sell Prius in Russia is evidenced by another point. According to unofficial data, only 100 cars were allocated for the whole of Russia to begin with - the plant barely manages to cope with demand in America and Japan itself. The car is exhibited at dealerships for informational purposes only and is available only by order, so there are no test cars.

Perhaps Toyota wants to prepare the market for the mass sale of hybrids in 3-5 years, to form a public opinion that hybrids are bought not at all to save fuel, and most importantly, to create a technical infrastructure for their maintenance. But the final word on the future of hybrids has not yet been said, among which the Prius, of course, remains the first number. So hurry, and really, nowhere.

Reply

Toyota Prius is a car from a popular brand in the world, featuring a hybrid engine, reliability and an increased level of comfort. Transport is assembled at the largest factories in China and Japan.

The Prius is economical, almost does not pollute the atmosphere (corresponds to the Euro-5 class), reliable and comfortable. In addition, he does not have idle move which distinguishes the model from its competitors.

Models of Toyota Prius

The release of Toyota Prius started in 1997. The main models include:

1. NHW10 - first generation (Prius-1). This model was only sold on automotive market Japan. Year of release (1997-2000).
2. NHW11 - rebranded first generation (Prius-1.1). The start of sales started in 2000 and continued for the next three years.
3. NHW20 - second generation (Prius-2). In 2003 appeared on the market a new version Toyota Prius, which kept on the conveyor until 2011.
4. ZVW30 - third generation (Prius-3). Released in 2009.
5. ZVW35 - third generation (Prius-3 PHV) The model was put on the conveyor in 2012 and is produced until today.
6. ZVW40 and ZVW41 - third generation (restyling). Release start - 2011. The difference between the two mentioned options is in the number of seats. In the first case, this is a 7-seater, and in the second, a 5-seater station wagon.
7. Toyota Prius 4 generation - debuted in September 2015. There is still little information about this car, so we will tell about it a little later.

Features and Specifications

Toyota Prius is a popular "hybrid" in wide circles. As mentioned above, the release of the car was launched in 1997.

1. First NHW10/11 models.

It had an electric motor with a power of 30 kW and a battery with a capacity of 6 Ah. The gasoline engine boasted a volume of one and a half liters and a power of 58 hp. The car accelerated to “hundreds” in 15.5 seconds.

The principle of operation of the hybrid is as follows:

1. The petrol engine runs only on the battery charge, and the electric motor is responsible for the movement vehicle(sequential mode of operation);
2. Any of the motors (gasoline or electric) is responsible for the movement of the car. This type of control is considered optimal.

2. Second model NHW20.

Belong to the second generation. Works on a similar principle. The power part of the car is called Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive. It consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 76 hp. and an electric motor with a power of 68 hp.

The total power is 116 "horses".

The main achievement of the new model was the minimum harmfulness. Combined CO2 emissions were only 104 g/km.

The efficiency of the car deserves special attention. The average fuel consumption in the city is 8 liters, and when driving on the highway - 5.5 liters.

The new Hybrid Sinergy Drive has the following operating modes:

• The start of movement is made by an electric motor powered by a battery. After picking up speed, the gasoline engine is connected to work, and the electric motor goes into standby mode;
• In the case of active acceleration, the two types of motor work together to achieve maximum power;
• Uniform movement is characterized by the active operation of the electric motor. In this case, the petrol engine is switched off. If the battery charge level drops below the acceptable level, then the computer starts the motor to make up for the lost capacity.

A feature of the Prius II is the saturation of electronics, such as ABS, VSC and EBD, as well as the presence of an economical electric drive that drives the car's air conditioning.

The body of the car has also changed, which has turned from a classic sedan into a hatchback.

Despite external changes, the transport did not impress buyers. The manufacturer, when creating the second version, was no longer chasing beauty.

The task was to make the trip as comfortable as possible for the driver and passenger.

The salon is spacious and has a unique style. The instrument panel is well thought out. The LCD monitor of the onboard computer is installed in the central part.

A diagonal of 14.5 centimeters is enough to see the information on the screen even with poor eyesight.

Basic information conveyed on-board computer- fuel consumption, power distribution between the battery, wheels and engine, fuel balance and more. The information is updated every five minutes.

3. Prius-3 (ZVW30/35).

Appeared in 2009. It was this generation of the car that provided the model with worldwide recognition.

The new car has become longer and wider (by 1.5 and 2.0 centimeters, respectively). As for the length of the wheelbase and the height of the body part, they remained unchanged.

The appearance of the car has also changed. Now the rear and front lights seem to have united with each other, thanks to the seemingly insignificant, but harmoniously looking stripes on the sides of the body.

An important feature for passengers was the shift of the highest point of the body to the central part of the cabin. Now, even with a height of 1.7 meters and above, you can feel comfortable and not be afraid to hit your head. The passenger and driver seats have become thinner by three centimeters, there is room for the knees.

Changed position and gearshift knob. From the dashboard, where it was previously, the handle was moved to the elevation of the center console.

Buyers have the opportunity to choose the diameter of the wheels - between 15 and 17 inches.

In the third version of the Toyota Prius, small protrusions appeared to provide better control of the vehicle's airflow. In comparison with the second version, the air resistance coefficient has decreased by 0.01 (from 0.25 to 0.24).

The power part of the car also experienced serious changes. Instead of a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, a 1.8-liter engine with a power of 99 horsepower.

The decision to increase the volume of the engine was caused by the desire of developers to reduce fuel consumption when driving at high speeds.

The total power during the operation of the electric and gasoline engine is 136 horsepower. The car accelerates to “hundreds” in 10.4 seconds.

A planetary gearbox appeared in the electric motor, supplemented by a heat recovery system, as well as an oil pump.

Additional modes of operation have also been added. So, instead of one "EV Mode", when the car was driven only by electric traction, two more options appeared:

• "Power Mode" - a mode designed for traveling at high speeds;
• "ECO Mode" is an economical option designed for reduced consumption of the fuel mixture.

In normal mode, fuel consumption averages 4 liters per hundred. When switching to the eco-variant, it is reduced to 1.75 liters.

4. Restyled Prius-3 (ZVW40 and ZVW41).

In 2011, the world saw a new restyled version of the already beloved third Prius.

The designers did not make changes to the power unit, focusing on appearance and car interior.

So, LED sections appeared in the head optics, the air intake hole increased, the interior trim changed (the quality of the material used improved).

A number of devices have changed location on the dashboard. The Japanese paid more attention to soundproofing.

The suspension, which has become stiffer, has also undergone structural changes.

The power unit remained unchanged - the same 1.8-liter gasoline engine paired with an electric motor for 82 "horses".

Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 3.9 liters per "hundred". Besides, new model"learned" to ride only on electric traction.

Reviews from Toyota Prius owners

The best indicator of quality, reliability and recognition of a car - reviews real owners. To make things fair, below are both positive and negative reviews.

Positive reviews.

1. Viktor Semenov, 46 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2008, mileage - 110 thousand kilometers.

“I have been the proud owner of a Toyota Prius for eight years now. During the operation, the car was not seriously repaired.

The main job was to change the oil and filter elements. A year earlier, we bought a Toyota Prius and my son, so he managed to run over 200 thousand kilometers all the time.

All that was done on the car — oil change, candles and filters. There are no complaints about either of the two cars.

After several kilometers behind the wheel of a car, you don’t even want to consider other options.

The machine is economical, pulls well at any speed, reliable in operation.

From additional options It is worth noting the rear-view camera, which has repeatedly saved from collisions.

2. Yuri Skorikov, 47 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2009, mileage - 115 thousand kilometers.

“I bought the car in 2012. During the time that I have a car, I managed to hit 60 thousand kilometers. No complaints about transport.

During the operation had to make a running diagnostics and change the oil. If there were problems, they were fixed personally.

Once almost burned the inverter. When replacing the battery, my son managed to mix up the polarity, after which an error popped up on the dashboard.

The service said that the car is worthy of respect, because the inverter survived and did not burn out.

I think that the main advantages of the car are reliability, high quality of the engine and running gear, as well as economy.”

3. Evgeny Petrenko, 49 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2010 onwards, mileage - 90 thousand kilometers.

“The experience of owning different cars is minimal. Before the Toyota Prius, there were only two cars - Hondas of 2004 and 2006 of release.

When choosing a car, I paid attention to the following criteria - efficiency, reliability and maintenance costs.

Friends advised me to buy a Toyota Prius, and as it turned out, not in vain. The car turned out to be easy to drive, economical, stable on the road. The design deserves special attention, which caused not fake envy among others.

I bought the car already from hand, so many alterations have already been completed.

So, ground clearance turned out to be raised to 20 cm, put excellent acoustics with ten speakers, made of high quality on the doors. In general, not a car, but a music center on wheels.

There are no complaints during the operation. The car is economical, unpretentious in operation, there is a roomy trunk.”

4. Gennady Rastorguev, 38 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2007, mileage - 160 thousand kilometers.

“I bought the car in 2012. The year of manufacture of the purchased Toyota Prius is 2007. The car is made in the USA, which only adds “whists”.

During the operation, I had to change oils, working fluids and make diagnostics of the main systems (more for complacency).

Drove all the time 95 thousand kilometers. The car showed its best side, was unpretentious and did not break down on the road. This is primarily due to the timely replacement technical liquids what I wish for you. Do not forget about the filters (they also need to be changed on time).

After 30 thousand kilometers, I had to change the candles (the engine started).

Real consumption fuel struck to the core. At a speed of 80-90 kilometers per hour, the car showed a result of 2.8 liters per "hundred". Starting the engine in cold weather does not cause problems.

Of the main advantages, it is worth noting reliability, comfort, self-confidence on the road and ease of maintenance.

If you understand the mechanics and electrical parts, then there will be no problems with the car at all.

negative feedback.

1. Gennady Ivanov, 35 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2010 release, mileage - 130 thousand kilometers.

“Previously, I gave preference only to foreign cars, but I wanted to change the car to some kind of “hybrid” in order to save on fuel. Bought a Toyota Prius in 2010.

At first, there were no complaints about the car, and after each MOT, an engine error began to light up. The masters at the service station explained that the reason was the filling of low-quality fuel, although he tried to pour only expensive fuel.

After a year of operation, fuel consumption jumped - 5.0 to 6.0 liters per "hundred". A year later, the car began to “eat” and did 7.5-8.0 liters.

Recently, the battery failed, and an inscription appeared on the dashboard demanding to check the hybrid system.

When buying, they assured that the power source is eternal, but in practice everything turned out to be not so rosy. The service itself is disgusting - they repair for a long time, you wait for parts for months, and the quality leaves much to be desired.

2. Rodin Osadchy, 33 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 1998 release, mileage - 330 thousand kilometers.

“The car was reliable and unpretentious for the first three years of operation, but after replacing the battery, constant problems began.

First, the elements of the power source flew out one by one, then there were problems with the inverter, then with the hybrid installation. In the end, I had to disassemble and sell everything for parts.

3. Diana Ivanova, 26 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2008 onwards, mileage - 60 thousand kilometers.

“When buying a car, I thought that I would get high-quality transport that would provide comfortable warmth in winter. It turned out that it is warmer in Zhiguli than in Toyota.

Causes criticism and handling of the car. On a bad road, the car strives to be demolished to the side of the road. I had to sell the car after 2 years of operation.

4. Nikolai Lunev, 36 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.8 l, automatic transmission, 2011 onwards, mileage - 40 thousand kilometers.

“In principle, the car is not bad, but the low ground clearance upset me. When traveling to the country, I constantly strike the bottom even when driving the wheel into relatively small pits.

5. Stanislav Gaidashenko, 38 years old. Toyota Prius, 1.5 l, automatic transmission, 2009 onwards, mileage - 40 thousand kilometers.

“The main disadvantage for me was the price. I wanted to buy a hybrid, so I had to get into serious debt. It turned out that the car is not so good.

Noise isolation is not enough, the steering wheel is not informative, there is no fixation of the lever.

If accidentally hurt, you can turn on the neutral gear. The interior is made of cheap plastic, which began to creak almost immediately after the start of operation.

At normal speed (more than “hundreds”), fuel consumption is not so small - almost 7 liters per hundred kilometers.

The battery discharge is fast. To save fuel normally, you should stick to a speed of 70 km / h.

Results

Toyota Prius is a reliable, comfortable and economical vehicle. The main thing during operation is to change consumables in time, monitor the condition of the battery and periodically go to diagnostics in order to fix problems at an early stage.

If you do not start the malfunction, then serious problems will not be in operation. An important point is the quality of the fuel.

Toyota Prius is whimsical to fuel, so it is worth refueling at proven gas stations.

Despite the fact that electric cars have been taking the best places on the podiums of international automobile shows for several years now, they are still far from conquering the markets. Until recently, these developments were spurred on by the rapid rise in oil prices, but today the situation has changed, and without legislative pressure from “green” internal combustion engines, it would have remained the only “heart” of a car for a long time.

According to a recent poll on the site, hybrid cars are the most promising in the near future - 41% of voters think so. The second place is shared by traditional internal combustion engines running on gasoline and diesel fuel(17% of the votes each), and electric cars are third (12%). Our readers do not consider other types of fuel for internal combustion engines to be promising: liquefied and natural gases, as well as ethanol and its mixtures, gained only 3–5% of the votes.

Today, hybrid cars can be found in many countries of the world - from Europe to the New World and Asia. Top Model- Toyota Prius, in 2005, when the second generation of the model appeared, the Americans bought it up at a rate of one car per hour, and today there are more than 1.7 million Prius owners in the world. By 2010, Toyota, the founder of this trend, plans to introduce 10 new hybrid cars to the European market, and by 2020, every Toyota model will be equipped with a hybrid power plant.

However, the hybrid future has already arrived in Russia. Back in 1997, the first petrol-electric Prius appeared on the market of the land of the rising sun (the name is translated as - going ahead). Soon, these cars, along with other Japanese second-hand goods, leaked to the Far East, where they began to master them using the “scientific poke and gaze” method, broke many copies (read - batteries, controllers and electric motors), but tamed the same outlandish car to our climate, and to our roads. Later, hybrid Lexus officially entered the market, but in a completely different status - an expensive and prestigious toy.

And now - the premiere of the third generation Prius at the Geneva Motor Show, a generation that will officially come to Russia this year for the first time. An economical hybrid car is not cheap today, so we can hardly expect a rush demand, but there is certainly interest - both as a technical novelty and as a product: how long it will last, what it will cost, whether it will be liquid on the market. This review will focus on both the new Prius and the company's hybrid program as a whole.

The basic principle of the new Prius is optimal balance between comfort, driving pleasure and operating costs. It was for the sake of good dynamics that the Japanese did not save on the displacement of the internal combustion engine, increasing it from 1.6 liters (for the previous model) to 1.8 liters. The total power of the hybrid power plant has increased to 134 hp. (by 22%), and increased torque. At the same time, the fuel consumption of the internal combustion engine also fell due to the optimization of settings and the redistribution of the main modes in the range of more low speed. And the total consumption on the combined cycle was 3.9 l/100 km, which corresponds to a record low level of emissions for a D-class car - only 89 g of CO2 per kilometer.

The Prius can run either on electric power or ICE, or using both propulsion. At stops, the internal combustion engine switches off automatically (Start&Stop system). Despite the fundamental similarity of the two generations, 90% of the details of the hybrid installation are designed anew. This is a more compact electric motor with more output (due to increased speed), and a new attachments, which does not need a drive belt: all components are driven by electric motors. Let's add to this a more advanced electronic filling of the power plant control unit: its efficiency has become higher, and the cooling of the components is more efficient due to direct washing with antifreeze. Also appeared and the engine heating system due to the heat of the exhaust gases.

The new contours of the body not only give the model modern look, but also work to improve aerodynamics: Cx decreased by 0.01 and reached 0.25, noise also decreased. Note that at low speeds, when the internal combustion engine is not working, the car is almost silent, which, by the way, is potentially dangerous for pedestrians who are used to focusing on the noise of the engine.

An interesting option is a solar battery in the roof. Usually, drivers try to leave the car in the shade in the summer so that the sun's rays do not heat up the interior. In the Middle East, limousine chauffeurs often leave the engine on at all to keep the cabin pleasantly cool. The interior of the Prius cools down even when idle engine. Roof-mounted elements power a climate system that keeps the cabin cool even under the scorching sun, and the more sun hits the roof, the more free energy they produce.

World sales of the Prius will start in July, the car will appear in Russia in the fall (see below). By 2010, Toyota expects to sell 60,000 Prius in Europe and 400,000 worldwide. Sales plans in Russia, as well as prices, have not yet been announced.

Exclusive interview with Thierry Dombreval, Executive Vice President, Toyota Motor Europe:

Suppose you are faced with the task of choosing a keyword to launch an advertising campaign for Toyota. Which of the three would you choose to indicate the main advantage of the brand - reliability, affordability or manufacturability?

Probably none of the three...

Then your choice...

Or rather, a little of everything. Reliability is one of the main components of the Toyota brand image. New technologies are also the basis of our development, this is the direction of hybrids, and safety, and the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions, which we see on the example of IQ ... Here our positions are very strong. But today the consumer is thinking. And I would single out brand trust as a key point for the consumer in today's situation. And Toyota is very well positioned in the market, buying such a car is a good investment. Therefore, I would note the trust in reliability and Toyota technologies as the basis of our success.

Today, Toyota, like many other automakers, pays a lot of attention to hybrid technologies. You were the first to put this technology on stream. But there is an opinion, shared by car designers, that hybrids are just a temporary compromise, a stage on the way to electric vehicles. For all their advantages, they have many disadvantages. What is your forecast, perhaps the crisis will scare away a significant part of consumers from these expensive and complex cars, and after a while we will immediately enter the era of electricity?

No, I do not think that an electric car can compete with a hybrid today. Its autonomy is limited to 100-120 km, that is, short trips, mainly in the city, while the mileage of a hybrid car depends only on the capacity of its tank, and gasoline is everywhere. At the moment we are working on an electric FTEV concept based on the Toyota IQ, but it will be a pure city car and not a competitor to hybrids. I think that both approaches will coexist for a long time; hybrids will become a mainstream product, and urban electric vehicles will complete the gamut.

But already today there are cars like Tesla that have an autonomy of up to 300 km, and there are "electric gas stations" that can charge the battery in an hour or two, so perhaps it's just a matter of organizing a network of charging stations and the same technology. Perhaps in two or three years there will be a sufficiently capacious battery to cover three hundred kilometers on a single charge. Or do you still think that in the next ten years this will not become a reality?

All these developments cannot yet be called large-scale. Yes, with batteries mobile phones… How long will they last? Three years, no more.

The developers announced seven.

Well, these are just words. And the cost of replacement, you know ...

Yes, it's scary to imagine!

Today we have lithium-ion batteries, more capacious and lighter, we own advanced technologies, we present the ways of their development and, believe me, before an electric car can travel 300 km, it will be many more years.

A prototype Toyota Prius with a Toyota Plug-in HV hybrid power platform combining a 1.5-liter internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The car received vehicle type approval from the Ministry of Transportation of Japan before being shown at the Paris Motor Show and, after testing on the roads of the USA (California) and Japan, is likely to go on sale. Main characteristics: dimensions (LxWxH) - 4445x1725x1490 mm, seats - 5, internal combustion engine - 110 Nm at 4000 rpm, 56 kW / 76 hp. at 5000 rpm, electric motor - 400 Nm at 0–1200 rpm, 50 kW/68 hp at 1200-1540 rpm electric autonomy - 10 km, max. electric speed - 100 km / h, battery - nickel-hydride, 13 Ah.

Even a year ago, when oil prices were rising, one could assume that sales of fuel-efficient cars would grow at no less pace. Now oil prices have fallen, as have household incomes. Perhaps the market is shifting to more simple cars, more affordable, and it would be worth thinking about new technologies to create just such cars?

Today, the European car market has lost 30%, but we notice that the preferences of customers in general have not changed. They don't say "I would buy a simpler car", they still want a reliable, comfortable, economical car. This is the approach of most clients. Of course, there are those who are focused on affordability, but, as a rule, they are either unemployed, or those who are afraid of losing their jobs, or those who have faced problems in lending. But again, they are a minority. In addition, the legislation of many European countries, in particular taxes, encourages the choice of a more economical vehicle. Another trend is downsizing, a reduction in the size of the car. Many people realize they don't need big car. But I don't see any radical changes here.

What part of the market, according to your estimates, can hybrid cars occupy in the coming years, in particular, in the Toyota range?

In the next three years, according to our calculations, the share of hybrids in the range of Toyota products may reach 10%.

Lexus today has this figure - 70%.

How do you assess the European market as a whole?

Look, there are practically no other hybrids, only Honda Insight. We hear so many claims, but try to buy a real car! My prediction is a maximum of 2-3% hybrids.

And what are the forecasts for Russia? Lexus hybrids are already well known here, but I would say that they are bought not so much for the sake of technology, but for the sake of image. And what product will become a business card Toyota hybrids? New Prius?

Yes, it will be a Prius. This year we will gradually bring it to Russian market, in limited volumes, since market conditions are unstable (details in an interview with Ruslan Romanyuk, director of model range development at Toyota Motor LLC. Note ed.). It will become a link between our high-tech product and consumers who are attracted by new developments, who value technology and care more about the environment than others. In Russia, this approach is not yet very common. But I think the new Prius will change a lot. There are people in Russia who are open to innovation.

Do you plan special programs, discounts for corporate clients? For example, in Spain, Prius work in a taxi ...

No, we haven't discussed these issues yet. It is important for us to first understand how the market will react, not so much in terms of sales, but in terms of interest in the model. This is the first phase. We are not going to push this model by all means, our task is to establish interaction.

On our website, we conducted a survey about the main disadvantages of electric vehicles. 7% noted a long charge, 21% - limited mileage, 30% - a high price, and the majority - 39% - fear the unreliability of equipment in our conditions. What can you say about the reliability of the new Prius? I heard that these cars have already been tested in Russia. Did you have to change something in the design based on the test results?

The main thing that had to be done was to include heated seats as standard equipment. In Western Europe there is no such need. I also had to adapt the suspension, because Russian roads different from European ones. Otherwise, we only stated the normal operation of all systems, including electrics and electronics. Including in cold weather. In addition, in the north of Japan, for example, or in Canada, where the cars were tested, it is also very cold.

But there is not so much salt on the roads.

Salt, chemicals - it's not a problem. All electrics are well protected. We've sold Prius in Canada and Finland, where the roads are also treated with chemicals, and we've had no problems.

How about after-sales service? Are you ready to service and repair Prius in Russia?

When we launched the Prius in Europe, we selected a group of dealers, trained specialists and trusted them to work with this car. Gradually, we expanded this circle, and today all European dealers work with these machines. We are planning the same scheme in Russia.

Do you already have a Prius sales plan in Russia for this year? Ten, one hundred, one thousand?

Yes, there is a plan, but I would not like to announce figures, since the market is very unstable, and making forecasts in these conditions is especially thankless. It's like predicting what the dollar will be against the ruble in three months. I'm almost sure I'm wrong.

Ready to predict, in exchange for your assessment!

- (Laughs.) Not worth it yet, let's wait.

Exclusive interview with Akihiko Otsuka, chief engineer of the passenger car division that developed the third generation Prius:

Is the third generation Prius an evolution or a revolution? And if a revolution, then in what?

Oh, this is a difficult question! In general, we follow the former concept. On the one hand, the Prius has already established itself well in the market. On the other hand, it is a fashion product of Toyota. Therefore, we do not want to change the concept while maintaining the image. At the same time, we were faced with the task of significantly improving a number of parameters, such as handling, comfort, and functionality of the car.

On the other hand, there are also revolutionary changes. We have redesigned the hybrid powertrain by 90% using new technologies. First, we have improved the internal combustion engine - the most important part of the hybrid power plant (since all the energy for the movement of the car still comes from this engine, which consumes fuel). Today, the 1.6-liter engine has been replaced by a 1.8-liter engine operating on the Atkinson cycle. You may ask why a larger displacement engine is needed? The fact is that it turns out to be more economical with a quiet mode of movement on the highway due to a lower speed crankshaft. The engine is also equipped with an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and an electrically driven coolant pump (there is no drive belt at all). auxiliary units). In addition, the traction motor and generator have become more compact and lighter (by about 20%).

One of the main goals for the new Prius is to reduce fuel consumption. What contribution does the engine make to its solution, and what other components - the body, transmission, new tires, etc.?

The third-generation Prius emits 89g CO2 per kilometer, up from 104g/km for the previous model. Reducing emissions (and fuel consumption) - 14%. Half was achieved by improving the engine, the other half by other changes: aerodynamics, tires with reduced rolling resistance, etc.

Speaking of aerodynamics, you claim that you have managed to significantly improve the drag coefficient (Cx). However, it decreased by only one hundredth: 0.25 versus 0.26 for the previous generation. And how has the midsection (middle section) changed? After all, cars today are getting taller (for greater capacity) and wider (for greater safety)...

Yes you are right. The cross section of the new Prius is slightly larger. But still there is a general gain in aerodynamics, although it is really small.

What is the fuel efficiency for the new Prius?

Oh, another difficult question. I can't name the exact figure, about 45%, taking into account losses in the transmission.

This is a very good indicator! If I'm not mistaken, the transmission of the new Prius is built according to the previous scheme, where the electric motor is used as a clutch. What has changed?

Yes, you are right, the basic principle remains the same. But, for example, the maximum speed of the electric motor has doubled, from 6400 rpm to 13400. This is a payment for its compactness and increased power. Therefore, we had to introduce a planetary gearbox into the circuit.

And how much energy can be recovered during braking?

From 70 to 90% of the power of the electric motor.

The press release says that the inverter power switches and other electronic filling of the hybrid power plant control module received direct liquid cooling. What kind of liquid is used?

It's engine coolant.

Seriously? Does antifreeze directly wash the microcircuits? Will this lead to failures?

No, everything is quite reliable. We checked!

How does an exhaust heat recovery system work? What is it for?

In winter, the engine warms up to operating temperature much longer. In order for it to reach the optimal mode faster, we installed a heat exchanger in the exhaust system, which transfers the heat of the exhaust gases to the antifreeze.

If I understand correctly, this system only works in cold weather?

Quite right.

And how will other systems work in the conditions of the Russian winter? Have you done cold tests? If yes, at what temperature?

Minus 40 Celsius.

We have both minus 50 and minus 60! And how long will the batteries live in Russian conditions?

As much as a car.

And more specifically? A year, two, five?

Ten. It's quite real. The consumer need not worry about this.

I was surprised that every Prius on display at the show had different tires. Toyo Proxes 215/45R17 87W, Bridgestone Turanza EL400 195/65 91H, ER33, 250 Ecopia. But tires are an important part of fuel economy. What tire models will actually be used in the original equipment?

Yes, it is very important for us to use tires with low resistance rolling. For the European market, the following configurations are provided: for 17-inch wheels - Bridgestone, Toyo and Michelin, for 15 inches - exclusively Bridgestone. (They plan to supply Prius to Russia only with 15-inch wheels, but, according to the latest data, in addition to Bridgestone, they will probably be equipped with tires from other manufacturers. Approx. Ed.)

Interview with Ruslan Romanyuk, Toyota Motor Model Line Development Director in Russia:

When will the new Prius appear in Russia?

We are planning for early September.

How hybrid Toyota models adapted to our conditions? Have such works been carried out? How do they differ from European ones?

I will focus on the Prius, it is more interesting in this regard. There were big battles around him, and the result was that we in Russia represent the Prius in maximum configuration. Its buyers are guided by high technology, so LED headlights, an active parking assistance system, and a navigation system are already included in the base. Unfortunately, we weren't able to get a solar roof because this option weakens the rigidity of the body, which is critical on our roads. Due to the same specifics, the car is equipped with only 15-inch wheels (there will be no 17-inch ones).

Have you tested the new Prius in Russia?

A group of engineers came and brought the Prius, which is on sale today. We drove it quite a lot, and based on the results, we decided that it could be sold in Russia.

But economically, this is not the most profitable model for our market. What prompted this decision?

Yes, the volume of sales will be small, but this is not the main thing. The Prius is a very attractive product in terms of image. Behind it are our advanced technologies. It may be expensive, but for the money it will have options that are not on the LS600.

For example?

For example, the active parking assistance system. In Europe, the LS600 has it, but not yet in Russia. And LED headlights, by the way, are also only on the LS600 and Prius so far.

And who will be the buyer of the new Prius?

These are advanced people, certainly well-to-do, but the main thing is that they strive to try something new, fashionable. We have already shown the car to potential buyers, carried out preparatory work.

The main customer - private individuals?

Yes, first we want to bring to the market an expensive version, designed for a private buyer. Subsequently, perhaps, we will sell a more budget model to corporate clients, government agencies.

And what about the service, have you already been trained in Russia?

This process is underway now.

In what volumes will the Prius be sold in Russia?

This will depend on the price. But so far we are talking about hundreds of pieces.

Are Prius Orders Already Accepted?

Will start around August of this year.

What can you say about competitors (Honda Insight), where do you see your advantage?

Honda is more environmentally friendly. Prius is somewhat different. There is a fairly powerful engine here, the total power of the two engines is 136 hp, due to this the car rides very well. We have a good balance between dynamics and efficiency.

And how is the transport tax paid for these cars, are there any benefits?

Good question. In the PTS of hybrid cars, only the power of the gasoline engine is indicated, and this is logical, because it is the only source of energy, the batteries are charged by the energy of gasoline combustion. But our customs is already starting to ask questions. Although our cars meet Euro-5, there are certain preferences for them in European countries.

What is the service life batteries on a Prius?

The manufacturer gives them a five-year warranty.

What about the car itself?

Three years.

Will the interservice mileage and maintenance cost change?

No, the mileage has remained the same (10,000 km), the amount of service should not change, the hybrid filling does not need special care.

Are there any problems with the supply of spare parts?

No, there is nothing fundamentally new here.

Prius cars of previous generations are quite well known beyond the Urals (they were brought to us from Japan). Craftsmen have long studied the design and even learned how to restore many nodes of the hybrid filling. And in which regions will the new Prius be sold?

We plan to sell the Prius, like other Toyota models, throughout Russia. Based road conditions initially in larger cities.

The Toyota Verso delivers the best economy in its segment for the 110-140 hp power range. With a 2.0-litre D-4D diesel engine, this compact MPV has CO2 emissions of 140 g/km.

Can you announce the schedule for bringing new models to the Russian market?

In early April, the Avensis and petrol RX will appear, towards the middle of the year - the updated RAV-4, in the second half of the year - Verso. The latter will be equipped with a CVT gearbox; the MMT box, which was not very popular with customers, will no longer be available. Also, in addition to the 1.8 liter engine, a 1.6 liter will appear, which is almost equal in power to the 1.8.

Will a five- or seven-seater version be sold in Russia?

Both. Our buyers do not yet realize all the advantages of this type of body, and are mainly guided by the price. Although there are options like a roof with a panoramic view, For example.

The Toyota IQ urban compact has already been launched in the series, but still collects a lot of curious looks. However, the main advantages here are hidden in the details. What is the layout alone worth: asymmetrically located seats, a new shape of the backs, an unusually located fuel tank. Thanks to this, three adults and one child are relatively comfortably accommodated in a tiny car. And for a crash test for 5 stars according to EuroNCAP, it’s time to give stars to designers. Ruler power units The small car is represented by two petrol and one diesel engines.

What about the Lexus 450h?

In the middle of the year or a little earlier.

What about UrbanCruiser?

So far, the situation is unclear. European configurations are not very suitable for us. From our point of view, the car is aimed at women, so it should have automatic transmission. In addition, the Russian buyer is waiting here four-wheel drive. This version from gasoline engine also not yet.

Why did it happen so? Initially did not count on the Russian market?

No, they didn't count.

Will IQ appear here?

With him, the situation is different. First of all, it is a matter of price. If the market had not faltered in the autumn, IQ would already be sold in Russia. Now, if this happens, it will be very expensive.

With leather interior, xenon headlights?

Certainly. There can be no other! But in general, the car is very interesting, completely different sensations: very sharp control, good dynamics ...

And even crashed into five stars.

Yes, even though it looks impossible!