Pace-setter Prius shows the future

Sure, it appealed to the clean-earth brigade and it did public relations wonders for the actors, models, pop singers and politicians who drove around in one of these hybrids.

But although it has widespread worldwide popularity (more than 1,29 million sales by the end of May this year), South Africans never really shared the world's enthusiasm for this conscience-salving mode of transport.

In the more than four years Prius has been on sale in South Africa, Toyota managed to flog only 682 of them to locals.

But now this could change quite dramatically because the Japanese car-maker has just unveiled the latest generation Prius and it is a zillion times better than the previous model.

Tempting

In fact, even petrol-heads who care more for looks, performance, comfort, style, image and drivability than the amount of fuel a car uses or what its emissions rates are, might be tempted by the latest version.

I spent two days at the wheel of the new Prius and was pleasantly surprised by its cleaner, classier looks, its spacious cabin, comfortable, quiet ride, the way it handles and its bedazzling array of high-tech features.

It's futuristic, fun and very different from any other car on the road.

During the media introduction we drove it along some fairly rough and well-worn farm roads and not once did the Prius stagger or wriggle its bottom.

On the tar it glides along in silky smooth fashion and although clearly it's not the sort of car you would take out on the race track over weekends, it conducts itself with dignity through the corners even at speeds which most Prius owners would never dream of doing

Prius-owners will probably not be all that interested to know about acceleration and top speed, but those of you who might never have looked at a Prius twice might consider the fact that the new model will do the 0-100 km/h run in 10,4 seconds and glide on to a top speed of about 180 km/h.

In essence the Prius has developed from appealing only to a small niche market to a slick car that could pull young families, trend-setting singles and spending-money-and-having-fun senior empty-nesters.

Two variants

There are two variants available, with the Exclusive model having even more sophisticated equipment than the already highly-specced Advanced model. Both are powered by a 1.8-litre, 16-valve VVT-I petrol engine in combination with a 650 volt electric motor.

The fuel injected four-cylinder engine develops 73 kW @ 4000 r/min with a maximum of 142 Nm of torque available from 2180 r/min. The electric motor has a maximum power rating of 60 kW with maximum torque of 207 Nm.

Drive is via a CVT transmission that constantly matches engine speed to power requirements and driving conditions. It's a seamless operation, like an automatic transmission, just much smoother, but with less flexibility.

For instance, you cannot over-ride the system by manually selecting gear changes as you can with a standard auto gearbox. The car does all the thinking and all the work for you. And there's none of the dip and surge disease so many auto transmissions suffer from.

The dull, unchanging engine tone while all of this is happening is not particularly appealing, but it's unobtrusive and strangely dignified, in a way.

Dual power

However, what really sets the Prius apart from the rest of the auto flock is something Toyota calls Hybrid Synergy Drive. Translated into easy-to-understand language, this means the car is driven alternatively or collectively by both a normal petrol engine and an electric motor.

This is how it works in practice: start up and only the electric motor works; drive off and both the petrol engine and the electric motor work; put your foot down and both work and the electric motor draws extra power from the batteries; decelerate and the batteries re-charge; stop and the engine automatically shuts off and then when you start up, only the electric motor kicks in.

Over and above, every time you hit the brakes the petrol engine switches off and the energy from the braking system recharges the electric motor's battery.

No noise, no fuss

It might seem a tad confusing, but you actually don't need to know and completely understand the process, because this happens without any driver input or intervention.

And the reason for all of this is quite simple; petrol engines are not efficient at low speeds and electric cars have a limited range before they have to recharge batteries.

So, at low speeds and in traffic the electric motor swings into action. No petrol is being used and the ride is quiet. As you pull off and the speed increases the petrol engine kicks in.

All of this happens quietly and without fuss, but more importantly, with less fuel being guzzled. Toyota claims 4,1-litre/100km but even my 5.8l/100 km an hour is good, considering that I pushed along quite rapidly and our route included long fast stretches, mountain passes, farm roads and lots of stop start city driving.

Another plus

To match its frugal fuel usage Toyota also claims a low-low emissions ratio of only 94g/km, which is another plus for cleaner air.

Besides it kindness to the environment and its unique engine set-up, the Prius has also moved deeper into the zone of seriously smart technology which will please nerds and gizmo fans, but might be a little overwhelming and off-putting to Sue and John Average.

To go into the finer detail of all the wizardry on board the new Prius is impossible, so let's just skim across some of the things you might be baffled or excited by.

On the list of fancies you will come across the usual radio/CD player, but with Bluetooth functionality and you might raise your eye-brows at names and descriptions such as HDD audio visual navigation; MP3 and WMA (Windows media Audio) capability; Mic and mic amplifier; accessory connector, a seven inch touch screen multi-information display, showing average and instantaneous fuel consumption; energy monitoring, outside temperature, plus a whole separate information menu; HDD AVN satellite navigation; reverse monitor with park assist; a digital meter illumination and even a Heads-Up Display on the windscreen in front of the driver, similar to what you would find in a jet fighter plane.

A long list

Sorry about all of that, but I did warn you. And I haven't even started on the standard, easier to understand kit list which is twice as long as the one above.

Just under the heading of Safety and security alone you will find Electronically Controlled Brake System (ECB); Regenerating Braking System; ABS brakes with EBD and BAS; Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRC) a headlamp levelling system, a million airbags; collapsible steering column, ISO-FIX safety child seat system; active headrests, transponder and immobiliser….

Glance through the Comfort section of the Prius sales brochure and you will find automatic air-conditioning; cruise control, power steering, fully adjustable steering wheel with audio and aircon touch sensor switches, automatic rain-sensing window wipers, an EV switch which enables the Prius to run in “silent mode” (electric motor only), headlamp washers and even a room lamp.

So what's it like inside?

But let's rather talk about things that we all understand, like what the Prius is like inside. Well, the living quarters are exceptionally human-friendly and huge windows give the cabin a lovely light, airy feeling.

The seats are well-designed and really comfortable and there are handy mousey-hole storage spaces scattered all over the place.

The seats that can also be flexed into four configurations and the boot is big enough for three sets of golf clubs.

Unfortunately, the car's comprehensive equipment packages come at a price, with the Advanced model selling for R326 200 and the Exclusive ringing an even more expensive R370 700 tune on the cash register.

That's a lot of money. And for cheques of this size there are many other really good cars from which to choose.

Clearly the Prius is never going to be the preferred choice of car for the masses. People who care for Mother Earth will buy it, as will people who want to be seen to care.

Trend-setters, boasters, snobs and show-offs will probably also opt for the new Prius.

But so will many thousands of fairly ordinary people all round the world buy this car. And they will buy it for its state-of-the-art appeal, because it will make them feel good and because it's good for the environment.

And do you know what, they will be buying a damn fine car, one that heralds a fresh new relationship between our beloved motor cars and the very special planet on which we live.