Toyota Prius PHV XW35, 3 generation 01.2012 - 12.2016

They only have a common name and appearance and, perhaps, the same for all Prius 1.8-liter petrol unit with a variator. But the prefix PHV or Plug-in Hybrid defines a different principle of operation and movement. This car, unlike the usual Prius, can be charged from the mains, for this there is a connector in the right rear wing. It takes just 1.5 hours to fully recover the battery. When charging from the mains in the cabin, you can even set the desired temperature. Mileage on electric traction - up to 21 km, which, according to Toyota, in most cases should be enough for daily trips in a metropolis. At the same time, the Prius PHV is not an electric car. When the source of energy runs out, the gasoline engine will turn on, the car will become an ordinary "parallel" hybrid. In this mode, the hatchback, according to the manufacturer, consumes 2.6-3.9 l / 100 km. The car, which is based on the third generation Toyota Prius and bearing the ZVW35 body index, is offered in the domestic market in three trim levels: “L”, “S” and “G”. The standard equipment of the Prius PHV includes 15-inch aluminum wheels, a rear spoiler with a brake light, halogen headlights, fabric upholstery, automatic air conditioning, and a CD player with four speakers. In the top version, the car offers a leather interior, LED optics with auto-correction, an intelligent parking assistance system, a HUD display that projects information on the windshield, heated seats; the driver's seat has eight adjustments; the car is equipped with a chic audio system, steering wheel heating, rain sensor and many other top-class options. The luggage capacity is 443 liters, which is quite a bit smaller than the standard Prius. Under the floor there are additional compartments in which the tool, a charging cable and a tire repair kit are located.

 Hybrid Synergy Drive Hybrid Synergy Drive Technology in the Toyota Prius PHV is two electric motors. One 60 kilowatt main wheel spinner. And the second auxiliary power of 42 kW, regenerating the battery or working as a starter for the internal combustion engine. The main and fundamental difference is precisely in the battery - in the PHV, lithium-ion cells with a capacity of 4.4 kWh are used, which is three times more than that of ordinary Prius nickel-metal hydride batteries. This allows the PHV to run on electric traction much longer than a simple Prius. The 2ZR-FXE gasoline engine runs on an Atkinson cycle and delivers 99 horsepower.

 The front suspension of the Prius PHV is suspension struts with a coil spring and anti-roll bar, and the rear suspension is a torsion spring, semi-dependent type. The minimum ground clearance of the car is 140 mm, and the turning radius is 5.2 m. The car has front-wheel drive, but there is no gearbox - instead, a planetary gear type is used.

 The car is equipped with airbags for the driver and front passenger, side airbags, curtain airbags, active head restraints (driver and front passenger), ISOFIX mount. Of the active safety systems, the Prius PHV is equipped with ABS with brake force distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist; S-VSC motion stabilization system, Traction Control traction control; help system when starting off the hill. In expensive trim levels there is a radar cruise control with brake control.

 Toyota Prius PHV is another serious step forward in the development of hybrid cars. If we look for the shortcomings of this car, then it is only one - a significant cost with a very serious difference with the regular version of the Prius. Therefore, even cars of the initial year of production, which enter Russia from the domestic Japanese market, are still available only to wealthy customers.