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Toyota (NYSE:TM) Prius enters the 2023 model year when it is now scheduled to appear in US showrooms next month as a hedge against the ongoing auto industry rush to convert to EVs. With nine hybrid models, soon to be ten with the addition of the all-new Toyota Crown, two plug-in hybrid models, the new bZ4X battery electric vehicle and the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Mirai, Toyota will offer 14 electrified vehicles next year it said today in a release.
Development goals appear to be based on styling and marketing and not breakthrough jumps in technology at conservative Toyota. This approach has generally served Toyota and its customers well when it comes to quality and durability. It is however getting pushed by other makers in the technology race. Worse, perhaps, the capital markets are questioning Toyota’s strategy at a time when capital is needed. (Autoinformed.com: First Look: Toyota Crown Returns to the US; Toyota to Cut AA Shares for Sustainable Development)
The 2023 Prius has a larger 2.0-liter engine and a revised hybrid system that results in 60% more combined system horsepower. Who says that size doesn’t matter? Output is now rated by Toyota at 196 net hp on AWD equipped models, increasing from 121 hp in the prior generation, and 194 net hp on FWD equipped models, previously 121 hp. Maximum engine torque is up ~15%, from 120 to 139 lb.-ft. on all models. Torque on the electric motor generator two, which drives the front wheels and regenerates the battery during braking, also increases by more than 20% – climbing from 120 to 152 lb.-ft.
Prius’s power gains are actually efficient. In FWD models, the LE grade offers up to a manufacturer estimated 57 MPG combined rating, the best-ever for a Prius and the most fuel-efficient hybrid in production so-far for model year 2023. The XLE and Limited grades have up to 52 MPG combined. The AWD equipped LE grade delivers up to a manufacturer estimate 54 MPG combined rating, with the XLE and Limited grades are capable of up to 49 MPG combined. The AWD system also receives power upgrades, with 50% more torque in the rear motor, moving from 41 to 62 lb.-ft., and 40 horsepower (previously 7 hp).
The 5th generation hybrid powertrain is connected to the inline M20A-FXS inline four-cylinder gas engine with two motor-generators through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. A new compact high-output/low-loss drive motor for the transaxle/motor uses a redesigned magnet and electromagnetic steel plate configuration, with two additional magnets for increased output, according to Toyota.
The engine, working with the electric motor (MG2), is said to be responsive. Relative energy efficiency is achieved by using both electric motors (MG1 and MG2) to charge a lithium-ion battery. This is a big step for Toyota, which clung to old traditional wet cells longer than any other automaker in our knowledge. The result is acceleration with 194 combined hybrid system horsepower and an estimated 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds for Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) equipped models, a 26% improvement over the 9.8 second time of the outgoing FWD model.
Another boost to Prius’ fuel efficiency comes from the Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, which coordinates operation between the regenerative braking force of the electric motors and the hydraulic braking system force to provide optimal stopping power. “By proactively using the electric motors to recover as much electrical energy as possible from the regenerative braking system, this extremely efficient cooperative control helps to maximize fuel economy,” Toyota said.
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Three Trim Grades
The 2023 Prius will be offered in three grades: LE, XLE and Limited. Standard colors include anew Cutting Edge and Guardian Gray, Midnight Black Metallic and Reservoir Blue. Optional premium paint colors include Supersonic Red and Wind Chill Pearl. All Prius hybrid grades come in a choice of Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.
- LE grade has standard dark grey 17-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers, an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen and 6-way adjustable fabric front seats in black or grey, with fabric in the rear. Additional standard features include six USB-c ports, Electronic Parking Brake (EPB), SofTex steering wheel and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). Options include Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB).
- XLE grade comes with everything on the LE grade and adds standard 19-inch alloy wheels and 8-way adjustable heated power driver’s SofTex seat in standard in black or grey. It also comes with standard rain-sensing wipers, smart key, wireless charger and front and rear parking assist with automatic braking (PA w/AB). Options include a 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, fixed glass roof and Digital Key.
- Limited includes all standard LE and XLE features and adds a standard 12.3-inch JBL Premium Audio touchscreen display, fixed glass roof, SofTex heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power rear liftback and Digital Key (which comes as part of the one-year trial to Toyota Remote Connect). Options are Panoramic View Monitor, Digital Rearview Mirror, heated rear seats and Advanced Park, which provides necessary steering and braking controls and helps drivers navigate the vehicle into parking spaces. It’s capable of parallel parking and backing up into a perpendicular space by using a combination of cameras and sensors to recognize the vehicle’s surroundings.
Encore Performance – 2023 Toyota Prius
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Toyota (NYSE:TM) Prius enters the 2023 model year when it is now scheduled to appear in US showrooms next month as a hedge against the ongoing auto industry rush to convert to EVs. With nine hybrid models, soon to be ten with the addition of the all-new Toyota Crown, two plug-in hybrid models, the new bZ4X battery electric vehicle and the zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell Mirai, Toyota will offer 14 electrified vehicles next year it said today in a release.
Development goals appear to be based on styling and marketing and not breakthrough jumps in technology at conservative Toyota. This approach has generally served Toyota and its customers well when it comes to quality and durability. It is however getting pushed by other makers in the technology race. Worse, perhaps, the capital markets are questioning Toyota’s strategy at a time when capital is needed. (Autoinformed.com: First Look: Toyota Crown Returns to the US; Toyota to Cut AA Shares for Sustainable Development)
The 2023 Prius has a larger 2.0-liter engine and a revised hybrid system that results in 60% more combined system horsepower. Who says that size doesn’t matter? Output is now rated by Toyota at 196 net hp on AWD equipped models, increasing from 121 hp in the prior generation, and 194 net hp on FWD equipped models, previously 121 hp. Maximum engine torque is up ~15%, from 120 to 139 lb.-ft. on all models. Torque on the electric motor generator two, which drives the front wheels and regenerates the battery during braking, also increases by more than 20% – climbing from 120 to 152 lb.-ft.
Prius’s power gains are actually efficient. In FWD models, the LE grade offers up to a manufacturer estimated 57 MPG combined rating, the best-ever for a Prius and the most fuel-efficient hybrid in production so-far for model year 2023. The XLE and Limited grades have up to 52 MPG combined. The AWD equipped LE grade delivers up to a manufacturer estimate 54 MPG combined rating, with the XLE and Limited grades are capable of up to 49 MPG combined. The AWD system also receives power upgrades, with 50% more torque in the rear motor, moving from 41 to 62 lb.-ft., and 40 horsepower (previously 7 hp).
The 5th generation hybrid powertrain is connected to the inline M20A-FXS inline four-cylinder gas engine with two motor-generators through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. A new compact high-output/low-loss drive motor for the transaxle/motor uses a redesigned magnet and electromagnetic steel plate configuration, with two additional magnets for increased output, according to Toyota.
The engine, working with the electric motor (MG2), is said to be responsive. Relative energy efficiency is achieved by using both electric motors (MG1 and MG2) to charge a lithium-ion battery. This is a big step for Toyota, which clung to old traditional wet cells longer than any other automaker in our knowledge. The result is acceleration with 194 combined hybrid system horsepower and an estimated 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds for Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) equipped models, a 26% improvement over the 9.8 second time of the outgoing FWD model.
Another boost to Prius’ fuel efficiency comes from the Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, which coordinates operation between the regenerative braking force of the electric motors and the hydraulic braking system force to provide optimal stopping power. “By proactively using the electric motors to recover as much electrical energy as possible from the regenerative braking system, this extremely efficient cooperative control helps to maximize fuel economy,” Toyota said.
Click for more information.
Three Trim Grades
The 2023 Prius will be offered in three grades: LE, XLE and Limited. Standard colors include anew Cutting Edge and Guardian Gray, Midnight Black Metallic and Reservoir Blue. Optional premium paint colors include Supersonic Red and Wind Chill Pearl. All Prius hybrid grades come in a choice of Front-Wheel Drive or All-Wheel Drive.