Ran to the plug: Toyota will launch a plug-in version of its hybrid bestseller Prius at the beginning of April. The part-time current now allows a purely electric drive of 50 kilometers in its new edition. This is more than a doubling of the electrical range compared to the previous version, which was offered from 2012 to 2016. If you want to buy the Prius with socket, you have to invest at least 37.550 Euro.
The range progress first has a very profane reason. Instead of a lithium-ion battery with 4,4 kWh, one with 8,8 kWh is now used. In comparison, the classic Prius has a nickel-metal hydride battery with 1,31 kWh. In addition, the Toyota engineers have modified the hybrid drive. Instead of an electric motor, two E-units with a system power of 68 kW / 98 PS are at work. The generator now acts as an additional electric motor, which allows a higher proportion of the electric driving mode; the combustor, which provides power like the normal Prius 72 kW / 98 horsepower, now has to start less often. The top speed for electric driving is now at Tempo 135, in the first generation took over from Tempo 85 the gasoline engine. The overall system performance of the Prius Plug-in is 90 kW / 122 PS.
Let's go - the plug-in starts rolling and no loud engine noise disturbs the rest. Where in the normal Prius the 1,8-liter gasoline engine quickly and unmistakably engages - here can travel a maximum of two kilometers purely electric - the plug-in remains in the middle of the gasfoot in electric mode. To make this possible even in wintry conditions, the Japanese has a battery preheating, which brings the battery cells to their optimum operating temperature during charging. Speaking of cold: A heat pump makes it possible to heat the interior to minus 10 degrees, without the petrol engine must be started. The charging time is three hours at the household socket, on a wallbox it is just over two hours.
Toyota promises that the part-time current 50 kilometers can be purely electric on the road. According to the currently applicable standard fuel consumption, it is even 63 kilometers. When driving off the electric range indicator indicated 48 kilometers. What to do with it? Simply consume in one piece? Can you do that? With the push of a button, you activate the EV mode, then the plug-in drives without combustion assistance until the batteries are empty. This is sensible if you can reach your destination within reach and be recharged there. Or you actively play with the EV capacity and the hybrid system. So we use the hybrid mode during the highway drive. Depending on traffic flow and route profile, we changed between the three driving modes Eco, Normal and Power. With very reserved gas foot - in Spain applies on the highways of the maximum speed of 120 km / h - the on-board computer showed an average consumption of 3 liters. In the city traffic of Barcelona, the vehicle was allowed to be buzzing but whirring.
The hills of the metropolis up and down, from traffic lights to traffic lights and always swimming in the traffic: So electric driving just fun. But not only in dense city traffic, even on winding country roads, the Japanese showed in EV mode of his pleasant side. Powerful, spontaneously appealing and just quiet it goes into the EV mode to the point. Because unlike, for example, in normal or power mode, the stepless automatic system is very harmonious. For quick trips on German motorways, the plug-in is rather not thought. At speeds above 120 km / h - Vmax is 162 km / h - it gets loud.
Toyota gives as a standard for the distance of 100 kilometers one liter of gasoline plus 7,2 kW / h of electricity. For the first test drives, which ran for almost 180 kilometers through city traffic and over highways and highways, the on-board computer showed an average consumption of 2,7 liters. We needed the battery power, and we gener- ated further 30 kilometers of electric range while driving through recuperation.
The good consumption figures, however, are expensive. At least 37.550 Euros are due for the Prius plug-in. That's a surcharge to a comparably equipped normal Prius of around 7.000 Euro. For the money, there are also plenty of facilities. Among other things, Navi, Matrix LED headlamps and driver assistance systems such as traffic sign recognition, lane keeping aids, front collision warning system with pedestrian detection and blind spot warning are on board. If you like, you can also choose the version with solar roof (from 39.600 Euro). Ideally, the roof will provide five kilometers of electrical coverage per day. However, since it weighs 40 kilograms and the plug-in already brings 1,6 tons on the scales, there are not all the equipment options for this version.
Speaking of weight: To keep this under control despite the higher battery weight, the part-time electricity is offered only as a four-seater. The hood is made of aluminum, the tailgate of a carbon-plastic mixture. The engineers wanted to avoid having to develop new axes for the plug-in. So he can largely rely on the technology of the Prius. Optically, the new may differ a little. A modified front with distinctive LED headlights and a rear with a horizontal light graphic are the distinguishing features of the plug-in. Inside, however, the differences are marginal. The display for the infotainment system is one inch larger with 4,2 inches than in the Prius. The trunk volume, however, is smaller, the batteries need more space. Thus, instead of volumes from 501 to 1.633 liters, only 360 to 1.204 liters are available.
The purchase of a Prius plug-in is really worth it. After all, the customer can claim the e-premium from 3.000 Euro and be on the move with a clear conscience. (Elfriede Munsch / SP-X)