Barely two months after the car’s debut at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota Motor Philippines has launched the Prius C, a B-segment hatchback that is currently the country’s cheapest gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, starting at P1,475,000. The C in the car’s name stands for Compact, Clean, Clever, and City, according to Toyota (take your pick). It also means cutting-edge automotive technology as far as the drivetrain is concerned. (Prius C is known as the Aqua in Japan.)
Prius C uses Toyota’s vaunted Hybrid Synergy Drive, which combines an electric battery and motor with a gasoline engine to deliver superior fuel mileage and dramatically cut emissions. In the Prius C’s case, the hybrid drive consists of a 1.5-liter inline-four 16-valve gasoline engine good for 72bhp/111Nm and a 59bhp/169Nm electric motor. A nickel metal-hydride battery provides 6.5 Ah of energy. The seemingly healthy combined dollop of torque goes through a CVT to the front wheels.
The gasoline engine uses an Atkinson combustion cycle, which delays closing of the intake valves to enhance fuel mileage; exhaust gas recirculation; electric water pump and intake-side variable valve timing. Atkinson-cycle engines sacrifice some torque for efficiency—which is where the 169Nm electric motor comes in. Prius C is not a plug-in, meaning it recharges the battery via operation of the gasoline engine, and energy harnessed from the regenerative brakes.
Mileage is estimated at 22.53 km/liter City, compared to the Prius’ quoted 21.68 km/liter City. Toyota says that Prius C is the highest-mileage hybrid without a plug.
Prius C checks in at 3995mm length, 1695mm width and 1455 mm height, on a 2550mm wheelbase. Suspension uses Macpherson struts up front with a torsion beam axle at the rear. Brakes are a disc/drum setup with ABS, brake assist, traction control, and hill start system. Five airbags—driver, passenger, curtain shield, and driver knee—are standard. Brake lights are LED with bulb-type park lamps and halogen headlamps.
The base Prius C comes with 3.5-inch color LCD display for the trademark Eco Drive monitor, fabric seats, 60:40 split-folding rear seats, urethane steering wheel. The Full Option variant adds leather seats and steering wheel. Base model is P1,475,000 while the Full Option goes for P1,525,000. White pearl paint is a P15,000 option.
Standard colors are: Lime White Pearl, Silver Metallic, Gray Metallic, Extreme Black and Super Red. Other colors such as Blue Metallic, Freedom White, Aqua Mica Metallic and the funky-looking Mandarin Orange Mica Metallic are also available through firm order.
[For more information on the Prius C, log on to www.toyota.com.ph, or contact Toyota at 819 2912 or visit any of the 30 authorized Toyota dealers nationwide.]
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