Australia’s most affordable hybrid car – Toyota’s Prius c – is now even better value with an upgrade that delivers higher equipment levels, increased body rigidity for improved dynamics, and freshened exterior and interior styling.
Offered in Prius c and high-grade Prius c i-Tech configurations, the latest makeover for the five-door hatchbacks also brings greater user-friendliness and new colours to amplify its smarter looks.
New Prius c drivers benefit from the addition of satellite navigation with SUNA live-traffic information and Toyota Link connected mobility, both accessed via the audio system’s 6.1-inch display screen.
Both variants are fitted with a larger 4.2-inch multi-information display (MID) within the instrument cluster (previously 3.5-inch). Prius c now has the same premium steering wheel as the i-Tech, incorporating switches to operate the MID.
The new or improved features add just $590 to the price of the Prius c, making Prius c the most keenly priced hybrid car on the market at $24,040.
High-grade Prius c i-Tech also gains the upgraded satellite-navigation platform and Toyota Link for a price rise of just $30 to $26,540.
Toyota’s executive director sales and marketing Tony Cramb said the arrival of the Prius c upgrade is timely given recent renewed focus on the need for fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles.
“Prius c excels with its remarkable fuel economy and resultant low environmental impact, both of which are becoming increasingly important factors in any new-car purchase,” Mr Cramb said.
“Equally, Prius c owners appreciate their car for being a practical and roomy five-door hatch that offers zippy city-car motoring at a price that no other hybrid can match,” he said.
“Toyota hybrid offerings also include the famous Prius hatch, the seven-seat Prius v and the Camry and Corolla hybrids that have been praised as being the best choices for keen drivers in their respective line-ups.”
For the Prius c upgrade, designers have crafted a more fluid silhouette by pushing the front tip of the car forward by 40mm and extending the rear spoiler. Overall length has increased by 55mm to 4050mm.
A larger and bolder grille, featuring (on i-Tech) a chrome-plated bar across the upper air intake, is framed by a new front bumper, modified bonnet and updated fenders.
Restyled headlights are halogen on Prius c and energy-saving LED on i-Tech. Both models have restyled LED rear combination lamps.
The upgraded i-Tech model also has newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels with dynamic machine-finished graphics and painted ripple-shaped sections. There are two new exterior colours, solid Hornet Yellow and a premium Aquamarine.
The Prius c interior redesign has resulted in a new deluxe black steering wheel with piano black and silver highlights, complementing the redesigned centre cluster.
The air-conditioning/heater control panel has been modified with LCD display functions grouped in a “floating” structure with piano black ornamentation and a chrome-plated surround.
Trays in the instrument panel and centre console are now covered in soft-touch material to improve the quality feel while the instrument panel adopts a high-end finish.
The six-speaker multimedia system incorporates Bluetooth connectivity for music and phone, single CD player, USB input and voice recognition.
Several measures have resulted in producing a more rigid Prius c with benefits for handling and stability, including larger and stiffer lower-rear panels and additional spot welds for the rear-wheel housings.
Under the cargo-area floor, weight has been saved and storage space increased by adopting a temporary spare wheel for both grades.
The petrol-electric hybrid powertrain in the Prius c develops maximum power of 74kW from the combination of its 54kW 1.5-litre Atkinson cycle four-cylinder petrol engine and 45kW electric motor.
An electronically controlled all-gear continuously variable transmission ensures optimum efficiency with combined-cycle fuel economy of 3.9 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of just 90 grams/km.
The car’s petrol engine is generally switched off to save fuel when the vehicle is stationary, coasting or braking, and when it is reversing.
Prius c’s hybrid system prioritises electric power for take-off, low-speed operation and reversing, and combines petrol and electric power for increased performance.
The system employs several other technologies to reduce fuel use. Energy from braking and deceleration is converted into electricity and sent to the battery. Electric power runs the water pump and power steering assist, eliminating drive belts.
There are three drive modes. EV Mode can allow drivers to operate the Prius c solely on electric power for 1-2km at speeds up to 40km/h.
Normal Mode is ideal for everyday driving while Eco Mode can help achieve the best fuel economy. It reduces energy consumption by governing the throttle and electric air-conditioner.
Other standard Prius c features include seven airbags, vehicle stability and traction control, mechanical and regenerative braking, anti-skid brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and an emergency brake signal.
Globally, the Toyota group has sold more than 10 million hybrid vehicles, of which 100,000 have been sold in Australia.
Prius c, like all new Toyota vehicles, is covered by Toyota Service Advantage. The capped price is $140 for each of up to six scheduled services in the first three years or 60,000km.
Source: Toyota
