The car will be powered by the same hybrid drive train combination, meaning a 1.8l Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine which develops 98 horsepower and an electric motor. Together, the pair provide a total power of 134 horsepower, 24 horsepower more than the previous generation.
As was the case until now, four driving modes are being offered by the 2011 Prius, Normal, Power, Eco and EV, the last of them being the one which allows the car to operate on electricity alone for about a mile when at low speeds (1.6 km).
For the new model year, the Prius comes equipped with sliding glass moonroof equipped with solar panels, a remote air conditioning system (first system in the world to function on battery-power alone), ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Traction Control and VSC.
The Japanese manufacturer will be offering for the 2011 model year Prius five different standard equipment packages, cleverly named One, Two, Three, Four and Five. Additionally, optional features like the Navigation Package (XM Radio with NavTraffic, Safety Connect) and an Advanced Technology Package (Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, Lane Keep Assist and Advanced Guidance Parking System) are also being offered.
The Prius can also be enhanced with Solar Roof Package which builds on the Navigation Package and adds power tilt/slide moonroof with a solar powered ventilation system and a remote air conditioning system.
The 2011 Prius is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) in California, as well as those states applying California emission standards.
Google News