THE FUTURE IS NOW
This article is from our archives and has not been updated and integrated with our "new" site yet... Even so, it's still awesome - so keep reading!
Published on Sat, Feb 14, 2004
By: The LACar Editorial Staff
Toyota Prius 5-Door Hatchback
THE
FUTURE IS NOW
Introducing
the Toyota Prius 5-door hatchback sedan: Weighing in at 2.890 lbs. and using a
conventional steel body, this mid-size sedan has room for up to five passengers
plus cargo. The Prius has plenty of
'getup and go', handles very well, gives a smooth and comfortable ride and
features the latest in convenience, luxury and safety.
© Harvey Schwartz
The
all-new second-generation Prius gas/electric hybrid vehicle features
significantly more power and performance than the previous model.
The Toyota Prius was the world's first mass-produced electric-gas
hybrid vehicle when introduced in 1997 (it came to the USA in 2000), and has since become the best-selling
hybrid vehicle in the world. The new
Prius is the first
Toyota
product to employ Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, third-generation electric-gas
hybrid powertrain technology. The
new system produces more power from both the gasoline engine and the electric
motor, giving the new Prius acceleration comparable to a 4-cylinder midsize car.
The 2004 Prius can accelerate from 0-60mph in 10 seconds, and offers
significantly improved passing performance as well.
© Harvey Schwartz
The Prius never needs to be plugged in for recharging. It will carry an estimated EPA rating of 60 mpg city and 51 mpg highway. These seemingly reversed figures reflect the unique powertrain that's optimized for maximum efficiency in the kind of slow-and-go driving that most urban commuters experience. Prius will provide the best fuel efficiency rating of any midsize vehicle sold in America .The new
Prius rides on an entirely new platform, with a wheelbase nearly 6 inches longer
than the previous car. The longer
wheelbase (106.3 inches) provides greater interior room, plus a smoother ride.
The 2004 Prius 5-door hatchback (also available as a regular 4-door
sedan), has one of the lowest co-efficient of drag rating's of just 0.26 that
helps minimize interior noise and further enhance fuel mileage.
© Harvey Schwartz
With its
striking 'monoform' design, the boldly styled 2004 Prius provides enough
increased passenger and cargo space to move from the EPA compact to the midsize
class: 96.2 cu.ft. of passenger room. Rear
cargo room measures 16.1cu.ft. nearly as much as the Camry trunk capacity.
The liftback design, combined with the newly standard 60/40 split
fold-down rear seatbacks, greatly increases cargo capacity and flexibility in
the 2004 Prius. It is just what
every smart, growing family needs to take care of all necessary chores and needs
while passing up gas stations because the Prius gets about 600mi. between
fill-ups with it's 11.9 gallon fuel tank.
Like the
original Toyota Hybrid System (THS) employed in the previous model, Hybrid Synergy Drive
is defined as a full hybrid
system. Unlike competitive systems
currently on the market, the full hybrid system is capable of operating in gas
or electric modes, as well as a mode that combines the power of the gas engine
and electric motor. Compared to the
hybrid technology used in the previous model, the new
© Harvey Schwartz
Hybrid Synergy Drive
combines a 1.5-liter
4-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine and an electric drive motor.
The gasoline engine now produces 76 hp and 82 lb.ft. of torque.
As on all Toyota
passenger car engines, VVTi (Variable Valve Timing with
intelligence) helps to
optimize power delivery across the engine speed range.
The permanent-magnet electric drive motor produces its maximum power of
50 kW (67 hp) from 1200 to 1540 rpm, and peak torque of 295 lb.ft. from 0 to
1,200 rpm (!).
The
electronic continuously variable transmission does not have fixed gear ratios,
but rather provides infinitely variable ratios in response to driving
conditions. A regenerative braking
system further boosts system efficiency. When
the Prius is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motor functions as
a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat
through the brakes, and transforming it into useable electricity to recharge the
batteries.
© Harvey Schwartz
When
driving the new Prius one of the most remarkable features is what you don't
feel. The computer-controlled
powertrain seamlessly blends power from the gasoline engine, the electric drive
motor and the generator, you never feel the vehicle changing operational modes.
You can monitor electric-gas power distribution through the Hybrid Synergy Drive
system by looking at the 7in.
touch-panel display monitor. This
screen also shows the advanced optional navigation information that my loaded
test vehicle had.
The new
Prius uses an electronically controlled 'throttle-by-wire' throttle, which
provides greater precision than a conventional cable-type throttle setup.
A new by-wire shift control replaces the traditional gearshift lever and
allows tap-of-the-finger shifting using a small joystick mounted on the dash.
The new Prius is easy and fun to drive with a different type of starting
procedure. First you insert the key
fob into the lighted receptacle on the dash just to the right of the steering
column. Put your foot on the brake
and push the Start button on the middle top of the dashboard.
Put the joystick in D for drive or R for reverse.
Now release the parking brake on the left side and away you go.
When you want to park and shut off the Prius first push in the Park
button to the left of the Joystick, set the parking brake and push the Start
button. It is easy as that.
© Harvey Schwartz
Besides a
good amount of acceleration, Prius also features a high level of dynamic control
such as ABS brakes, along with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Force
Distribution, not yet available on most sedans.
An optional Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) system helps to keep you on
track during severe maneuvers. The
new Hill Acceleration Control helps you maintain better control on ascents and
descents.
The Prius
chassis is underpinned with an independent front MacPherson strut suspension
with stabilizer bar, while the rear features a torsion beam with a stabilizer
bar. The Prius steers with an
electric power-assisted rack & pinion system that gives very good feedback
from the road and very good on-center feel.
The turning circle is an impressive 34.1 feet.
The Prius power-assisted brakes are very good and feature 10.0-inch
vented front discs with dual-piston caliper while the rear uses a 7.87 in. drum.
The Prius 5-door hatchback rides on P185/65R15 all-season radial
tires that are nicely wrapped with 6X15 in. aluminum alloy wheels. The 2004
Prius offers the amenities expected in the midsize class, plus some available
more commonly found in luxury models. This
car is truly amazing.
All four
doors open wide for easy entry and exit. The
front bucket seats are very comfortable and supportive.
Instrumentation is set further back on the dashboard with a large, easy
to see LED speed readout, fuel on board meter, gear selected, odometer and trip
mileage. The standard automatic A/C
system uses a new electric-powered air compressor.
Not only does this improve fuel efficiency, it ensures passenger comfort
even when the car is running only on the electric motor.
The steering wheel features fingertip controls for the A/C, heater and
deluxe AM-FM/CD audio system with 6-speakers, so that you don't have to take
your eyes off the road to make adjustments.
When you option for the navigation system you also get buttons for the
map, information, front/rear defroster, mute and optional hands-free telephone.
Cabin filtration, cruise control, variable speed wipers/washers, heated
side mirrors, thick pile carpeting, storage slots in each door bottom, two-tiered
glove box, inside fuel-filler door release, theater lighting/map lights, center
console, dual cupholders, grab handles above each passenger door,
rear flip-down console, power windows/door locks and remote keyless entry
are all standard on the 2004 Prius, making it an outstanding value in comparison
to any car in its price segment - $19,995 base, to my loaded test car priced at
only $26,017.00 including delivery. Thanks to
the high efficiency of the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, Prius can offer a wider array
of options than ever before. You can
choose an auto-dimming rear view mirror, anti-theft system, fog lights, garage
door opener, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, intermittent rear
wiper/washer, premium JBL AM-FM/cassette/CD audio system with 9-speakers and a
satellite navigation system. First
ever in a Toyota Division vehicle is a new Smart Entry and Start option that
allows hands-free keyless entry and startup.
When you pull the door handle, an on-board sensor recognizes the signal
from a key in your pocket and automatically unlocks the doors.
Having been security cleared, you merely push the 'Start' button
located on the dash, tap the gear-selector and away you go.
My test vehicle came with them all and only made my driving experience
even more enjoyable. As for
safety, Toyota covers that nicely with driver/front passenger airbags, and
available side-airbags, side-impact door beams, front and rear energy-absorbing
crumple zones, front 3-point front seatbelts with pretensioners and force
limiters, and 3-point seat belts in all 5-seating positions, rear seat Child
Restraint System top tether anchor brackets and lower anchor point attachments,
adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors, child-protector rear door locks and
an internal trunk-release handle.
© Harvey Schwartz
The week
that I had scheduled the new Prius was the week of the SEMA (Aftermarket) Show
in Las Vegas. What a perfect time and
destination to test-drive the car. It
is about 300 miles to
© Harvey Schwartz
I am
totally amazed at what
Toyota
has done to the sedan class,
which takes in most families in
Toyota
backs up the all-new Prius
with a 3-year/36,000-mi. comprehensive warranty that applies to all components
other than normal wear and maintenance items.
Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and
corrosion with no mileage limitation. The
hybrid related components, including the HV battery, battery control module,
hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for
8-years/100,000 miles. Prius also
comes with 7-day/24-hour roadside assistance for 36 months.
Wake up Detroit, because as the Big Three
argue about how and what to build for high mileage specs,
© Harvey
Schwartz
For more information on Toyota products, go to www.toyota.com. To see more of Harvey's photos, go to www.autofotos.com.
© Harvey Schwartz
SPECIFICATIONS
Name of
vehicle:
2004 Toyota Prius 5-door hatchback
Price:
From $19,995.00 to $26,017.00
Engine
types:
4-cylinder aluminum DOHC, 16-valve VVT-I (gas)
Permanent magnet
synchronous motors (2) with nickel-metal hydride battery and 500 volts maximum
Horsepower:
Gasoline 76 / electric 67
Torque
(lbs ft):
Gasoline 82 / electric 295
Transmission:
Electronically continuously variable
Front
suspension:
Independent MacPherson struts, stabilizer bar
Rear
suspension:
Torsion beam with stabilizer bar
Wheels/tires:
P185/65R15in. all-season radial tires/1X15 in aluminum alloy wheels
Brakes:
10-inch front vented disc/7.87-inch drum rear brake; power assisted, brake assist,
dynamic rear brake proportioning
Overall
length:
175 in.
Overall
width:
67.9 in.
Overall
height:
58.1 in.
Curb
weight:
2,765 lbs with standard features / 2,890 lbs. loaded with all options
0-60mph:
10.1sec.
