The Toyota Prius

We will kick-start our discussion with the world's most fuel-efficient gasoline car - the Toyota Prius. The Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board have bestowed this rating to the Prius. Ever since its introduction (back in 1997 in Japan), the Toyota Prius has managed to capture the attention of auto enthusiasts across the globe. The situation is no different in the United States, likewise. The ever-increasing sales number is a testimonial to that statement.

Toyota has already come up with three generations of Prius right from 1997. They were the NHW10, NHW11 and NHW20. The current generation of Toyota Prius is code named ZVW30. The company likes to term the Prius as a hybrid car because it comes with a gasoline engine and an electric motor. In the pamphlets, you will recognize the noteworthy Hybrid Synergy Drive tags.

The Toyota Prius is a compact car, which was originally released with the body styling of a four-door sedan. The first generation of Prius featured a relatively low powered 58hp engine. With the passage of time and in the subsequent generations, the company began to augment the engine power by releasing 70hp and 76hp variants. The current generation of Prius comes with a 98hp engine. I have excluded the power generated by the electric motor present in the vehicle. From the second generation (2001), Toyota altered the body design to incorporate the look and feel of a five-door hatchback.

One must understand that the Toyota Prius had to face a lot of criticisms right from the year it was released to the public. Battery failures were high and the vehicles seemed to be intolerant of hotter humid environments. Specialized batteries and technology deployed in the vehicle kept the owners at their heels whenever a problem arose with their Prius. Throughout the years, the company strived hard to erase a good measure of problems seen in the original model.

Toyota is well known all over the globe for manufacturing great cars that have good fuel efficiency. The Toyota Prius is no exception either. According to tests conducted by recognized sources in the United States, the Prius boasted of 4.7L per 100 kilometers.

What makes the technology within the Toyota Prius unique? Intricate computer systems take control of the vehicle's engine. For the tech-savvy, the Prius was one of the first vehicles to come with the much fabled "drive by wire" technology. The high fuel efficiency of the vehicle is attributed to the absence of the conventional mechanical geared systems. Literally, every aspect is controlled by electromechanical components.

Did you know that there are two electric motors within the Toyota Prius? One of these will recharge the batteries while supplying additional torque to the car. Certain other technologies incorporated into the vehicle such as the ability to control the throttle response and the advanced braking systems have caused awe and wonder among the hardcore auto fans. According to a recent press report, the company will be developing Prius with lithium ion batteries in the coming years.