The 2010 Toyota Prius comes equipped with a larger 1.8L four cylinder engine that produces 134hp with a 50 mpg city fuel economy. It’s officially rated at 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway by the EPA; but numbers tend to waver. There are those who can manage over 75 mpg through certain driving habits. The main way the better fuel economy numbers are achieved are through aerodynamics and a more efficient drive train. The Prius is even more aerodynamic than before with a more streamline body with more creases to improve airflow. The engine is larger and produces more horsepower, yet it is more fuel efficient because the greater amount of torque helps with highway driving. The A/C and water pump are now driven by electricity which frees up more power from the engine. Finally the EV mode allows the Prius to drive on battery power alone for short periods of time.
The net weight of the car has increased due to better crash protection and added body stiffness. The stiffer body helps deduct the noise and vibration from the engine as well as the transmission. In redesigning the Prius, engineers have successfully improved the steering by angling the wheels slightly and gave the Prius brake discs at all four corners.
Something else exciting about the new Prius is that many of the optional features of the predecessor are now standard. It also comes with many new features including, a Touch Tracer system that mimics your finger-swipes over steering-wheel controls over the gauges, power windows, cruise control, AM/FM/XM/CD player, a sunroof with solar panels, a remote air conditioner, a navigation system, LED headlamps, Bluetooth, and a backup camera.
The regeneration that captures heat from braking and turns it into electricity has also been improved. The new Toyota Prius graduated at the highest of its class in safety standards. Some features include, seven airbags, as well as a driver knee bag, anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, tire pressure monitors, radar cruise control, a lane-departure warning system, a rearview camera, a “Safety Connect” system, and Intelligent Parking Assist.
The I-10 Auto Mall has a nice assortment of Toyota Prius' in their Huge Hybrid Inventory http://www.i10automall.com/
