Innovative Cars: Toyota Prius
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In 1997 the Toyota Prius launched and became the first mass produced hybrid car in the world. Its technology would help to inspire a wave of new electric vehicle designs across the globe.
Although Toyota wasn’t the first to make a hybrid petrol-electric car, they were the first to bring it into mass production, overcoming many technological and engineering issues to do so.
The first Prius had a 1.5 litre VVT-i petrol engine that was integrated with an electric motor. The unit was able to balance the power of the two units to suit driving conditions and could achieve 50+ mpg.
A power split mechanism with a planetary gear set offered a continuously variable transmission, simultaneously distributing power to the engine, drivetrain and generator. Impressively Toyota was able to hide a powerful nickel-metal hybrid battery pack behind the back seats.
Image courtesy of Toyota.co.uk
As a result, the Prius was held in high regard as a groundbreaking vehicle, winning Japan’s New Car of the Year in 1997 as well as Overall Car of the Year.
When the Prius began to spread across western markets in the early 2000s there was a great demand for the vehicle. Leonardo DiCaprio famously owned one which helped to elevate the car’s image to new heights.
Toyota continued its development on this hybrid as they released its second generation in 2003 and by 2007 global sales for Toyota’s hybrids had surpassed the one million mark.
After further developments and another new Prius generation in 2009, Toyota created the Auris Hybrid that was a British-built, full hybrid small family car.
The switch to dense Lithium-ion batteries was made in 2012, further capitalising on the growing hybrid market that they had helped to create.
In the present day, Toyota has developed and sold millions of hybrid vehicles and the Prius has taken on new shapes and sizes. The vehicle that once helped to kick start a hybrid revolution has come a long way since its original model in 1997.
If this innovative car interests you then have a look at the latest models we have available for leasing on our website here.