It’s been a while since we saw the official pictures of and announcements on the 2016 Toyota Prius. However, the specs were kept secret, up until now at least.
Toyota has finally revealed specifications of the upcoming popular hatchback and we get an idea how the 2016 Prius will offer better fuel economy.
Toyota has managed to make improvements in every area and the result is a better designed and more fuel efficient vehicle that delivers excellent driving experience. The highlight of the new 2016 Toyota Prius is the new engine under the hood. The engine has been tweaked and improved by engineers and now has a maximum thermal efficiency of 40%. The engineers were able to improve the thermal efficiency by improving exhaust gas recirculation and combustion efficiency. Compared to other gas engines, the 2016 Prius is much more efficient. Average thermal efficiency of gas engines is in the range of 25% to 30%.
The new exhaust system works by allowing the engine to peak more quickly and the heat is also used for warming the cabin. The engine peaks quicker by capturing exhaust heat. There is no word on the acceleration yet, but we suspect it will be faster than the 10 seconds of the existing model.
The next improvement is in the battery section, where Toyota will offer lithium-ion battery for the first time in the 2016 Prius. The lithium-ion battery is an optional choice, which will probably power up the Eco trim of the 2016 Prius. With the lithium-ion battery, the buyers can expect fuel economy of up to 60mpg, compared to 55mpg for the standard version featuring nickel-metal battery.
Toyota has also changed the transmission system for the 2016 Prius, installing a CVT transmission that has been redesigned to provide 20% less frictional loss.
As for the driving experience, the new TNGA platform has allowed the company to increase torsional rigidity by 60%. Other improvements to the driving experience include lower center of gravity and new rear suspension.
Inside the Prius, prospective buyers will find comfort, several infotainment options, advanced safety features and nifty items like color display, dual 4.2-inch screens and the Smart-flow air conditioning system. The safety package for the 2016 Prius includes pre-collision warning system that has pedestrian detection and dynamic radar cruise control.
