The Toyota Prius which is considered the world’s original hybrid vehicle has gone through quite a few innovations in the past 20 years. For the updated 2019 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model, Toyota has increased its versatility by increasing its overall seating capacity from four to five.
A blend of high-tech full hybrid powertrain offers superbly excellent fuel consumption ratings as low as 1.3-litre/100km. At the same time, the new Prius also offers all-electric driving experience with a range of up to 45km without using a single drop of fuel PLUS a max speed of 135km/h on electric power alone.
This is all thanks to its 1.8-litre petrol/electric I-4 four-cylinder hybrid engine which is said to produce around 121hp paired with its all-wheel-drive system and a single-speed CVT transmission. What’s even more amazing is the fact that the Prius comes with features that are quite unique compared to other PHEVs and EVs in the market.
The one feature that the Prius is known for is its large solar panels which helps generate electricity during those hot sunny days. The panels are able to charge up the batteries and offer an extended range of 5km per day, depending on the weather conditions. 5km on sun power alone is actually quite impressive for a car.
Other updated features include all black interior, new 17-inch alloy wheels, and a new colour option – Galaxy Black. There is still no news on when or if this updated bad boy will arrive here in Malaysia, but one thing is for certain; PHEV and EV are here to stay.
Like it or not, they are the future of mobility and many companies have proven that they are not only powerful in terms of performance but also good friends for the environment. If you love Mother Earth, there’s no better time to get one of your very own PHEV or EV.
