TOYOTA PRIUS c COMPLETES THE PRIUS FAMILY OF VEHICLES

     The 2012 Prius c joins the Prius family for 2012, delivering smart design, advanced powertrain, innovative in-car technology and exceptional value as the lowest priced hybrid in the market.

 

This dynamically styled, five-door hatchback, in dealerships now, introduces Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment. 

 

The letter “c” represents “city” in the Prius c name, designed to function as an urban-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and a combined fuel consumption rating of 3.7 L/100 km, Prius c offers the lowest fuel consumption rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will debut in 2012.

 

Beginning with the first generation fourteen years ago, over two million Prius units have been sold worldwide. Prius remains the world’s premier eco-vehicle brand, and has made great strides establishing consumer trust in hybrid technology. With Prius c, Toyota Canada will make the market’s most proven hybrid technology available to subcompact car shoppers with a starting MSRP of $20,950.    

 

Unique Place in the Prius Family

 

A gateway product into the Prius Family, the new Prius c will find favour with younger shoppers seeking a smartly designed, fuel-efficient subcompact car packing advanced drivetrain and in-car technology. The Prius c will offer engaging driving dynamics with superior urban maneuverability. When the 2012 Prius c arrives in showrooms this spring, the all-new hatchback will offer:

The scale of the all-new Prius c becomes apparent when compared to the familiar proportions of the midsize Prius Liftback. The Prius c is smaller and lighter than its midsize Prius stable mate with 19.1 inches less length (157.3 vs. 176.4 inches OAL) and 542 lbs. less weight than the Prius Liftback (2,500 vs. 3,042 lbs.).  In adapting the Hybrid Synergy Drive to the smaller Prius c platform, each of the system’s major components were re-designed to reduce weight, scale, and improve efficiency.  

 

OAL  OAH OAW Wheelbase Curb weight 2012 Prius 176.4 in. 58.7 in. 68.7 in. 106.3 in. 3,042 lbs. 2012 Prius c 157.3 in. 56.9 in. 66.7 in. 100.4 in. 2,500 lbs.

Three Grades with Generous Standard Equipment

 

The Prius c will be available in three trim levels offering desirable features, equipment, and enhanced capability giving consumers a compelling value proposition. Prius c provides many standard features such as wheel audio and HVAC controls, power-adjustable heated mirrors, multi-Information Display, Bluetooth hands-free controls, and remote keyless entry among a long list of standard equipment.

 

 

Efficient Packaging

 

The Prius c’s effective packaging design strategically locates key drivetrain components within the chassis to help optimize interior space and handling.  The compact gasoline engine, transaxle and power-control unit are optimally placed within the vehicle to help enhance weight distribution and lower the center of gravity.  In addition, the hybrid battery and fuel tank are positioned together beneath the rear seat, ideally distributing their mass within the wheelbase to improve weight distribution to help enhance handling. By locating the battery and fuel tank below the rear seat, the Prius c is able to offer 104 cu. ft. of interior volume (87.4 cu. ft. passenger volume, 17 cu. ft. cargo volume). 

 

Prius c Hybrid Synergy Drive Propulsion

 

 The Prius c’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system integrates the operation of components that include a gasoline engine, an electric motor within a Continuously Variable Transaxle, a nickel-metal hydride battery, a power control unit (inverter), a DC­DC converter, a step-up converter and a hybrid control computer. The hybrid control computer governs the seamless application of gasoline engine and electric power depending on driving demands and selected drive mode.    

 

The Prius c relies on a Tier 2 Bin 3 rated 1.5-litre in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine that utilizes an Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency. This engine produces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp.

 

The Prius c’s hybrid system utilizes a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that has been located under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle, and low in the chassis to help improve the center of gravity. 

 

Gasoline Engine Engine Output Electric Motor Output Total System Output Prius 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 98 hp@5200 rpm 105 lb.-ft.@4000 rpm 80 hp (60 kW) 134 hp (100 kW) Prius c 1.5-litre, four-cylinder, Atkinson cycle with VVT-i 73 hp@4800 rpm 82 lb.-ft@4000 rpm 60 hp (45kW) 99 hp (74 kW)

Prius c offers three distinct drive modes: Normal, Eco, and EV mode.  Eco mode reduces overall energy consumption by governing climate control and throttle to improve vehicle efficiency. Under certain conditions, the EV mode allows the Prius c to be driven solely by electric power for a short distance (about one kilometre) while remaining below 40 km/h.

 

Vehicle Structure – Improved Handling and Safety

 

The Prius c’s body structure makes extensive use of lightweight, high-strength steel to help reduce vehicle mass and improve fuel economy. The strategic use of high- tensile-strength steel contributes to the vehicle’s ability to absorb and disperse impact energies helping enhance occupant safety. The high level of torsional rigidity afforded by the Prius c body structure allows the suspension to be more optimally tuned for ride and handling.

 

Suspension and Steering for Enhanced Handling

 

The front suspension uses a Macpherson strut design, and the rear rides on a tuned torsion beam. The coil-spring and shock-absorber characteristics of the Prius c have been tuned to enhance handling, flat turning, and smooth ride comfort.  Prius c is available with 15- or 16-inch wheel-and-tire combinations.  The 15-inch wheels are available in steel with wheel cover for base model or in aluminum alloy for elevated trim levels. Prius c models equipped with the available 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels enjoy enhanced handling thanks to a faster steering ratio (2.28 turns lock to lock), which helps quicken the vehicle’s dynamic response.

 

Youthful Exterior and Interior Design

 

The Prius c exterior design helps project a fun, youthful attitude for this all-new addition to the Prius family, while offering excellent aerodynamic performance. Extensive aerodynamic features were engineered into the Prius c to help achieve a 0.28 coefficient of drag. Adding character to this subcompact, the Prius c’s lower-body styling is wider below the beltline, featuring sculpted rear flares to help express a sturdy, athletic stance that communicates a more agile driving experience. 

 

The Prius c’s available exterior colors include vibrant hues that are unique and expressive. The available colors for Prius c include three new colors – Mandarin Orange, Summer Rain Metallic and Moonglow – along with Blue Streak Metallic, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, and Alpine White.

 

The Prius c interior design seeks to create a space that is futuristic yet passenger friendly. Using black/grey as a basic interior color, the door trim, seat surfaces, and instrument panel feature treatments in lighter colors to help create contrast. 

 

Display Audio

 

The 2012 Prius c will offer two audio system configurations. A base audio system features 6 speakers, and includes AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity.

 

The second audio system adds Display Audio with Navigation and SiriusXM™ Satellite Radio capability. This audio system also includes: Audio:SMS-to-speech and Email-to-speech, Advanced voice recognition, Phonebook and streaming audio, Display of artist, song and album art for connected iPod (Gracenotes).

 

Standard Safety Features

 

The Prius c is equipped with nine airbags strategically located to help protect the driver and passengers in the event of certain types of accidents.  The new 2012 Prius c, like all Toyota models, is equipped with the standard Star Safety System™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).    

 

Pricing

 

Model	Package	MSRP
Prius c	Base	$20,950
Prius  c	Technology	$23,160
Prius c	Premium	$25,340

 

Technology Package includes:

 

XM Satellite Ready Antenna with Prewire, Display Audio with Navigation, 15” Aluminum Alloy wheels, Wheel locks, Push Button Start, Smart Key System, Audio system with: SMS-to-speech and Email-to-speech, Advanced voice recognition, Phonebook and streaming audio, Display of artist, song and album art for connected iPod (Gracenotes).

 

Premium Package includes:

 

All items in the Technology Package plus16” Aluminum Alloy wheels, Heated front seats, Softex seats, Power moonroof, Fog lamps, Leather instrument panel.

 

About Toyota Canada Inc.

 

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars, SUVs and trucks. Toyota is the first full-line manufacturer to make all of the elements of the Star Safety System standard on every 2011 vehicle. The Star Safety System includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Smart Stop Technology (SST). TCI’s head office is in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.