What is it?
Dirty diesels are already starting to make the latest Prius's economy and emissions figures look ordinary (ish), so here's Toyota's riposte: the plug-in Prius. Read on to find out how we muse on the plug-in, baby.
Why's it here?
The logical step between a full electric car and the hybrid Prius is a plug-in version, which shifts the car's economy and emissions further away from the type of figures achievable with a conventional diesel. It's possible because Toyota has replaced the standard car's nickel-metal hydride battery pack with a mobile phone type lithium ion one, which is more energy intense and can take charge quicker. Plug the car in and it will charge in around 90 minutes, good for 12.5 miles of petrol-free driving at speeds up to 62mph, as opposed to the standard Prius's miserly one-mile range, only possible below 31mph.
Show stopper or floor filler?
This car could prove more important than its slightly anonymous presence at Frankfurt suggests. The battery enhancements mean the car's official test cycle results are 60g/km of CO2 (compared to 89g/km), which comes without fiddling with the drivetrain in any other way. No on-sale date yet, but 150 cars will go out to customers for real world evaluation next year.
Mark Nichol - 17 Sep 2009