New Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid key features:
- All-new model capable of more nearly 40 miles in electric EV mode – double the driving range of its predecessor
- Performance improved by Toyota’s first Dual Motor EV Drive system and a larger, higher capacity lithium-ion hybrid battery
- Battery charging speed increased by 65 per cent – two hours for a full charge
- World-first EV range-extending solar panel roof option for battery recharging
Both the Business Edition Plus and Excel models have on-the-road prices cut by £3,200 so that with the £2,500 available for new cars through the Government’s plug-in vehicle grant scheme, the new range is now priced from just £29,195 – over £2,000 less than the previous Prius Plug-in. The Business Edition Plus with solar roof adds £1,500, at £30,695 with grant.
The Prius Plug-in marks a further development of Toyota’s hybrid technology, with a new Dual Motor EV Drive system and a higher capacity lithium-ion battery to double its emissions-free electric driving range to nearly 40 miles.
The car can also be driven at higher speeds using just its electric power, up to 84mph with a range up to 39 miles, and the recharging process is more rapid – as little as two hours for a full charge.
Under the bonnet is a 1.8-litre petrol injection engine producing 87bhp and 142Nm torque while the total hybrid motor output is 120bhp.
The combined powertrain can accelerate the car to 62mph in 11.1sec and on to 101mph with combined economy of 283mpg and combined emissions of just 22g/km – against the outgoing model’s 49g/km – for a 9% BIK banding in 2017/18
Built on the same new Toyota New Global Architecture platform as the latest, fourth generation Prius, the plug-in hybrid delivers much-improved ride and handling.
Equipment specifications are high, with both versions being equipped with Toyota Touch 2 with Go infotainment and navigation, colour head-up display, auto-dimming, auto-retracting door mirrors, heated front seats and world-first gas-injection heat pump air conditioning.
