Plug-in Prius boasts 60g/km
Not content to rest on it laurels as the maker synonymous with the eco-friendly hybrid car, Toyota has announced a new version of the Prius that makes the regular model look like an eco-terrorist by comparison.
The new plug-in Prius boasts CO2 emissions of just 60g/km (compared to 89g/km for the regular car) from a 97bhp engine mated to a 79bhp electric motor. There's no word on fuel economy yet, but we're sure Toyota will be keen to tell us at the Frankfurt Show, where the car gets its official debut before being leased to 500 customers for a real-world testing and evaluation programme.
The CO2 figure is achieved because the car can run for longer distances and at higher speeds on electric power alone. So, whereas the normal Prius has to call upon its petrol motor after about one mile - or at anything above 31mph - the newcomer keeps going like the Energiser Bunny: speeds of up to 62mph for about 12.5 miles are possible before the petrol engine kicks in.
That's been accomplished by replacing the Prius's nickel-metal hydride battery pack with a lithium ion one, which can take charge far quicker and is more energy intense. It can also be fully charged in around 90 minutes from a conventional household socket.
