Thursday, September 25, 2008

Toyota Prius Hybrid Car Is So Popular.

The Toyota Prius is still the most popular and best-selling hybrid car in the US and world today. When the Prius was released back in 1997 it pioneered the trend towards hybrid vehicles.

Purchases of the Toyota Prius started to rise as more models were released, even though, initially, sales of the now-popular hybrid vehicle were not very good. Toyota released its second-generation Prius in 2003 as the first midsize hybrid available to the public, and that year it was named Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine.

People are not just buying hybrids because of the environmental and health issues, but also because of the soaring gas prices which is leading people to look for alternatives. Prius is the number one choice due to its simplicity and price, although, there are many hybrid cars to choose from.

Many improvements have been made to the latest hybrid vehicles. While the first version of the Toyota Prius had excellent fuel efficiency, air conditioning was the sole option available. The second generation vehicle improved on the first in aesthetics, speed, and size. It is the first sedan of its class and size and has won numerous awards.

It employs the Synergy hybrid system used by all of Toyota's hybrid vehicles. It has a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with smart valve timing along with an eternal magnet Ac synchronous motor. It has 110 horsepower (combining electric power with gas power) and 46 mpg fuel economy (city and highway mileage combined, as rated by EPA).

It has an electronically controlled continuous variable transmission, anti-lock system and regenerative breaking. The emissions are as low as 89%, which is great for the environment.

Power windows, cloth seats, micron filter air-conditioners, cruise control, door locks, and keyless remote entry are included as standard features in the second generation Toyota Prius. Switches can be found on the steering wheel that controls the climate, audio and cruise control.

Customers have the option of buying the vehicle with a navigational system with Bluetooth technology. What makes it different from any other hybrids on the market is that it uses a power button to start the ingition rather than a key. An energy motor is mounted on the dashboard which indicates the flow of power between the engine, electric motor and battery pack.

While the second-generation Toyota Prius isn't the most stylish of the available hybrids, its low price, high miles per gallon, and environmentally minded features combine to make it extremely attractive. If you're looking for practicality why not choose the pioneer?

You can find more great information and articles about hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius, on our website.

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