As you know by now, this is not our everyday Prius. This one brings with it a 1.8l 97 bhp regular engine, paired with a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor. The engine develops 97 bhp, while the electric motor brings an extra 79 bhp and, helped by the Lithium-ion battery, the PHEV can reach a top speed of 62 mph (100km/hour) in electric mode.
On a full charge, it can travel as much as 12.5miles (20km), six miles more than the current generation Prius.
Toyota has no plans to produce the PHEV yet, but it has set up a testing program for it. As part of the program, the PHEV will arrive in the US in early 2010. Only 150 units will be shipped to the States, placed in regional clusters with select partners and start market/consumer analysis and technical demonstration.
“This program is a necessary first step in societal preparation, in that it allows us the unique opportunity to inform, educate and prepare customers for the introduction of plug-in hybrid technology,” Irv Miller, TMS group vice president, environmental and public affairs said in a release.
“When these vehicles come to market, customers must understand what to expect and if this technology is the right fit for them.”
Out of the 150 units, ten will be placed in Boulder, Colorado, to be tested by Xcel Energy’s SmartGridCity program. Toyota will announce the other locations and partners as the new Prius begins to enter the US market. The plan is to test the PHEV in California, Washington D.C., New York, Oregon and Pennsylvania.
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