The Future Is Here, Today: The 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In

(TORONTO, ON. – September 22, 2013) It’s the advanced technology vehicle designed for the real world – offering all the benefits of the world’s most popular hybrid vehicle, with a twist. That’s because the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in also lets drivers go further in all-electric mode – up to 25 kilometers in city driving. The result is even better fuel efficiency and even fewer emissions.

“The Prius Plug-in has enough battery capacity to handle most in-town trips as an electric vehicle – plus an advanced gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain for longer journeys, so that range is never an issue,” said Larry Hutchinson, Vice President at Toyota Canada Inc. “And because it’s a Prius, it comes with a generous list of comfort and convenience features plus the peace of mind that only the most proven hybrid technology on the planet can provide. Canadians can experience the future of motoring – today – with the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in.”

Canadians continue to embrace Toyota as the number one hybrid seller, confident that Toyota’s experience – dating back to the sale of the first Prius in Canada in 2000 – has created the world’s most versatile and innovative line-up of low emissions, high efficiency, advanced technology vehicles.

That experience has been engineered into the 2015 Prius Plug-in, which inspires confidence like no other plug-in vehicle. That’s because the Prius Plug-in and its third-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive technology – already proven in more than six million vehicles around the globe – was extensively tested in Canada, undergoing more than two years of real-world field trials as part of a global testing program.

Feedback from these trials helped Toyota engineers optimize the Prius Plug-in’s driving and ownership experience.

The Prius Plug-in’s Hybrid Synergy Drive is built around a highly efficient Atkinson Cycle 1.8L 4-cylinder engine, a high-torque electric motor, a high-capacity battery and a sophisticated power management system. This combination delivers 134 net system horsepower and seamlessly shifts between gas engine, electric motor or a combination of the two to maximize power and efficiency at every speed, under any driving condition.

In addition, the Prius Plug-in features a powerful but lightweight lithium-ion battery pack that charges in as little as 90 minutes. This enables Canadians to travel in all-electric (EV) mode up to 25 kilometers in city driving, allowing drivers to achieve typical Canadian commuter ranges without using a drop of gas. The Prius Plug-in is also capable of reaching speeds of up to 100 km/h while in EV mode.

By taking advantage of the Prius Plug-in’s Electric Vehicle (EV) capabilities, it’s possible to achieve truly impressive fuel efficiency of just 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers (city/highway combined) in EV mode*.

But the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in is more than an advanced vehicle that’s great on gas. It’s a plug-in hybrid designed for the real word, with room for five adults and up to 612 liters of luggage space, plus an impressive list of standard comfort, convenience and style features.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive enables many features unique to hybrids, from the added power and efficiency of regenerative braking to four driver-selectable driving options (Normal, Power, ECO and Electric Vehicle mode) to suit any style and driving condition.

Safety is always standard on a Toyota, so every 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in features seven airbags plus front seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters, anchor points for child seats, child protector rear door locks, a direct tire pressure monitoring system and a back-up camera as standard.

As with every new Toyota since 2011, the 2015 Prius Plug-in is also standard equipped with the six active safety technologies of the Star Safety System: Antilock Brake System, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Smart Stop Technology work together to help drivers avoid potential accident situations.

The 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in is available in a single, well-equipped model, with an MSRP starting at just $35,905.

Standard features include: 6.1” Display Audio system with six speakers, USB input jack, Bluetooth connectivity, integrated XM Satellite Radio, a navigation system with advanced voice recognition, and more; heated front seats; driver and front passenger door handles with touch sensor lock/unlock feature; a driver-focused cockpit with multi-information display, dual trip odometer, outside temperature gauge and more; touch-tracer steering wheel controls to access commonly used features such as audio and HVAC systems; plenty of thoughtful in-cabin storage; map lamps and cargo lamp; 12v accessory power outlet and retained accessory power; the Smart Key System with Push Button Start; 15” aluminum alloy wheels with locks; dual power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors; variable intermittent wipers and rear wiper; and more.

• In addition, the 2015 Prius Plug-in may be further enhanced with an available Technology Package. This package adds several advanced features including: the Toyota pre-collision system; AVN premium navigation; dynamic radar cruise control; and the auto-leveling headlamp system. Other upgrades in this package include: an eight-speaker Premium JBL Audio System; eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat; softex leather seating surfaces; LED headlamps; headlamp washers; and fog lamps.

The 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in is now on sale at Toyota Dealers across Canada. For more information on features and specifications, visit toyota.ca/prius-plugin.

* Fuel efficiency ratings are based on the new 5-cycle testing procedures (Natural Resources Canada)

About Toyota Canada Inc.

Toyota Canada Inc. (TCI) is the exclusive Canadian distributor of Toyota, Lexus and Scion vehicles.  Incorporated in 1964, Toyota has sold more than 4 million vehicles in Canada through a national network of 286 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships.  Toyota is dedicated to bringing safety, quality, dependability and reliability in the vehicles Canadians drive and the service they receive.  TCI’s head office is located in Toronto, with regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Halifax and parts distribution centres in Toronto and Vancouver.  Toyota operates two manufacturing facilities in Canada which build popular Canadian vehicles: Toyota RAV4, Toyota Corolla, Lexus RX 350 and RX 450h hybrid.  

-30-