The Toyota Prius was and still is the best selling hybrid car today. The first generation Prius, released back in 1997 was the pioneer of hybrid vehicles. Although the first Prius was not a big commercial success in the beginning, sales picked up and more variations were produced. The second generation Toyota Prius was released in 2003 and became the first midsize hybrid car on the market. It was named Car of the Year by Motor Trend.
Environmental and health issues are not the only reason why people are buying hybrids. Gas prices have soared leading people to search for other alternatives. Although there are many hybrid vehicles on the market today, the Prius remained the best seller due to its history, simplicity and price.
Prius Second Generation
The second generation Prius is a big improvement from the first one. The first generation Prius was fuel efficient but it only had the additional option of air-conditioning. The second generation was bigger, faster and looked better than its predecessor. It's the first midsize hatchback sedan on the market which has won many awards.
Like all Toyota hybrids it uses the Synergy hybrid system. It has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with intelligent valve timing and permanent magnet Ac synchronous motor. It has 110 horsepower (gas and electric power combined) and 46 mpg fuel economy (combined city and highway rating by EPA).
It has an electronically controlled continuous variable transmission, anti-lock system and regenerative breaking. It has 89 % fewer emissions and grants the owner a tax credit upon purchase.
The standard features of the second generation Prius are power windows, cloth seating, micron filter air-conditioning, door locks, cruise control and remote keyless entry. Remote switches are placed on the steering wheel for climate, cruise control and audio. Customers have the option of buying the vehicle with a navigational system with Bluetooth technology.
The ignition is tuned on by a power button instead of suing the key which make it different than any other hybrid on the market. An energy motor is mounted on the dashboard which indicates the flow of power between the engine, electric motor and battery pack.
The second generation Prius may not look as stylish as other hybrids on the market but its fuel efficiency, eco friendly features and an affordable price make it stand out from the rest. If you're looking for practicality why not choose the pioneer?
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