The Prius c, Toyota’s most affordable hybrid vehicle takes on a sporty new look for 2015.
There’s much more to the Prius c than super-high fuel economy. A restyled front with standard single LED projector low and high-beam headlights, two new exterior colours whose names demand almost as much attention as their hues (Electric Lime Metallic, and Tangerine Splash Pearl), and new “light pipe” taillights add a futuristic touch to the design. Add to that a cabin upgraded with refined materials, and Prius c makes a compelling choice among Subcompact cars, hybrid or not.
For years, the iconic Prius liftback has been synonymous with “hybrid.” Today, the Prius is available in four different flavours. The Prius Family includes the larger standard Prius liftback, the even larger and roomier Prius v, Prius Plug-in Hybrid with all the benefits of the Prius - plus extended all-electric range, and of course the youthful urban-friendly Prius c. In addition, Toyota offers hybrid versions of its Camry, and Highlander, making Toyota the global hybrid leader with sales of over 7 million units.
Prius c is available in three value-packed grades. In all trim levels the cabin combines futuristic design elements with everyday comfort and practicality.
In addition to the all-new single LED projector low and high-beam headlights, standard features in the Prius c include a shark-fin antenna, automatic climate control, a full colour TFT Multi-Information Display, and remote keyless entry with illuminated entry. The tilt-telescopic steering wheel features integrated switches for audio, climate control, and Bluetooth hands-free phone capability. The standard 3.5” TFT colour Multi-Information Display shows outside temperature, fuel economy information, cruising range, EV miles driven, Hybrid System Indicator, ECO Score, and energy monitor.
The Prius c comes with a standard 6.1” display audio system including four speakers, USB audio input, voice recognition, and Bluetooth capability.
The Prius c fitted with the available Upgrade Package sweetens the package with premium cloth seats, height-adjustable driver’s seat cushion, 60/40 split fold down rear seats, cruise control, six-speakers, leather covered instrument panel, a tonneau cover, and more.
Stepping up, The Prius c Technology adds Navigation, Advanced Voice Recognition, SMS-to-speech and Email-to-speech capability, SofTex Leather heated front seats, backup camera, a leather wrapped steering wheel, power moonroof, 15-inch aluminum alloy wheels, and more.
The Prius c Technology also adds the convenience of the Smart Key system with Push Button Start. It also receives a feature from the larger Prius line; the Touch Tracer Display. Touch sensors on the steering wheel buttons display a duplicate image on the instrument panel, directly in line of sight, reducing driver eye movement for better concentration on the road.
The “c” Stands for City. But It Makes Sense Out in the Country, Too
Toyota designed the Prius c as an urban-friendly runabout, and yes, the “c” stands for city. However, you certainly don’t need to live in a city to reap the benefits of ownership. That 4.8L/100km highway fuel economy rating is a boon in Canada’s wide-open spaces, where gas stations are few and far between.
The Prius c is surprisingly spacious for a subcompact. Efficient packaging of the hybrid powertrain, battery pack and fuel tank results in 2959L of total interior volume (2475L passenger volume, 484L cargo volume), including an ample 888mm of rear legroom. The efficient packaging also gives the Prius c a low centre of gravity and excellent weight distribution, which translates into fun-to-drive agility. Also with NVH improvements for the 2015 model year, the drive experience is even better than before.
The Prius c design projects a fun, youthful attitude that appeals to all ages. It’s also slippery, cheating the wind with a low 0.28 coefficient of drag (Cd). Its lower-body area is wider below the beltline, and combined with very short overhangs and sculpted rear flares, it gives the car an athletic stance.
A wide-ranging colour palette provides hues to satisfy every taste. In addition to the two new exterior colours, the Prius c looks lively in Blue Streak Metallic, Moonglow, Absolutely Red, Black Sand Pearl, Magnetic Gray Metallic or Classic Silver Metallic.
The Prius c uses its own version of Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, the technology found in all the brand’s hybrids. The gas engine, electric motor and battery pack are all smaller and lighter than in the standard Prius.
The 1.5-litre in-line, 4-cylinder gasoline engine runs on the Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp. Locating the Prius c’s 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle and low in the chassis, helps achieve a low centre of gravity for excellent agility.
Like all Toyota hybrids, the Prius c is a full hybrid, meaning it can run on the gasoline power alone, battery power alone, or a combination of both. Hybrid Synergy Drive combines the output of the gas engine and electric motor through an innovative continuously variable transmission.
As on other Toyota hybrids, the Prius c employs a slew of other technologies to curb its fuel usage. Regenerative braking helps to recapture electrical energy under deceleration, sending it to the battery, which helps to reduce fuel consumption. Electric power runs the water pump and power steering assist, eliminating drive belts and even some maintenance needs.
One of the three drive modes; EV mode, drives solely on battery power for up to 1.6km under certain conditions. Where would you do that? Maybe when you think circling city blocks while looking for a parking space would be wasting gas.
There’s also Normal Mode, which is ideal for everyday driving, as well as Eco Mode, which can help optimize fuel economy when you’re willing to give up some throttle response and don’t need the air conditioner to be ice cold.
A stiff body structure, made so by extensive use of lightweight, high-strength steel, helps make the Prius c safe, and also allows suspension tuning that yields an admirable combination of handling responses and ride comfort. Front suspension is a MacPherson strut design, and the rear tuned torsion beam configuration employs coil springs.
The Prius c rolls on 15-inch wheels, available in steel or aluminum alloy, depending on the trim line. The steel wheels come with a newly designed cover for the 2015 model year. With a 9.6m turning circle you might forget how to make 3-point turns, because you won’t need to.
Safety is always standard on a Toyota, so every 2015 Prius c is equipped with nine airbags, including a driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver knee airbag, driver and front passenger seat cushion airbags, and front and rear side curtain airbags.
As with every new Toyota since 2011, the 2015 Prius c is also standard equipped with the six active safety technologies of the Star Safety System: Antilock Brake System, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control and Smart Stop Technology work together to help drivers avoid potential accident situations.
The 2015 Toyota Prius c will arrive at Toyota Dealers across Canada this winter.
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