| If you look at the world-wide car market today, you will see that the Toyota Prius has been and continues to be the most popular and best selling hybrid model. The release of the Prius in 1997 launched the movement towards hybrids. The Prius sold very poorly at first, but sales picked up when new models came on the market. Toyota released its second-generation Prius in 2003 as the first midsize hybrid available to the public, and it was named Car of the Year by Motor Trend magazine.
People are not just buying hybrids because of the environmental and health issues, another reason is the soaring gas prices which is leading people to look for alternatives. Although there are many hybrid cars an individual can choose from, the Prius is the number one choice due to its simplicity and price.
Second Generation Toyota Prius
The hybrid cars is a big improvement from the first one. The first generation Toyota Prius was fuel efficient but it only had the additional option of air-conditioning. The second generation Prius improved on the first in aesthetics, speed, and size. It's the first midsize hatchback sedan on the market which has won many awards.
The Synergy hybrid system is used in all Toyota hybrid models. It contains the number 1.5 liter 4 cylinder engine with intelligent valve timing and permanent magnet Ac synchronous motor. 110 is its level of horsepower. (combining electric power with gas power) and it gets 46 miles for each gallon of gas. (shared city and highway ranking by EPA).
Some features are an electronically controlled continuous variable transmission, as well as an anti-lock system and regenerative breaking. It has 89 % fewer emissions and grants the owner a tax credit upon purchase.
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. Remote switches are placed on the steering wheel for climate, cruise control and audio. Customers have the option of buying the vehicle with a navigational system with Bluetooth technology.
The ignition is tuned on by a power button instead of suing the key which make it different than any other hybrid on the market. On the dashboard is an energy motor that monitors the power that flows through the battery pack, engine and electric motor.
While the second-generation Toyota Prius isn't the most stylish of the available hybrid cars, its low price, high miles per gallon, and environmentally minded features combine to make it extremely attractive. The practical alternative
For more information and articles on hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius please go our website www.ecoholistic.com.
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