5 reasons why Toyota Prius 2016 is one of the world's most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient cars [release date, specs, MPG]

media@latinoshealth.com By Staff Reporter Nov 20, 2015 05:30 AM EST

When it comes to gas-electric hybrid cars, Toyota Prius is still the force to reckon with, as it has always been since its first introduction as a mass-produced vehicle back in the late 90s. The numbers speak for themselves; today, 3.5 million Prius have been sold worldwide. Consumer Reports even ranks it as one of the most popular cars among their subscribers. And, for Toyota, there is just no letting go of the title with their introduction of the 2016 Toyota Prius.

Here are five reasons why it is one of the world's most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient cars.

1. Toyota made some significant tweaks to the hybrid powertrain, which include the improvement for the 1.8-litre VVT-i Atkinson cycle petrol engine to produce a world-best 40 percent thermal efficiency. This changes in thermal engineering in the engine resulted to less friction and mechanical losses n order to achieve a greater amount of energy for every drop of fuel, according to Toyota.

2. Another factor that comes into play in terms of better fuel economy is another revision of the existing 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which is now paired with two electric motors resulting to the total system output of 121 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft. of torque, says Slash Gear. Although, the previous model has a bigger peak power with 134 total system horsepower, Toyota said that the new model accelerates just as fast.

3. There are also some revisions in the design of the major components in the system, such as the transaxle, electric motor and power control unit, in order to reduce the weight. These were all done for the sake of efficiency. The new Prius has a more rigid body, 60 percent better than its predecessor, because of the new welding and construction techniques, and strategic use of strong but lightweight, high-tensile-strength steel.

4. The entire body of the 2016 Prius was lowered by about 2.5 cm, or about an inch, thanks to the use of the new TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) structure. This allows for the car to have a lower center of gravity for better handling and better aerodynamics with a C/D (coefficient of drag) number of just 0.24.

5. And when we speak of aerodynamics, a change in the exterior is imperative in order to provide the least resistance to air flow. There is a noticeable design tweak to the new Prius, which Toyota said is all about aerodynamics. But, they also admitted that maintaining the car's triangular profile and design to the front and rear is also to bring a touch of uniqueness, Digital Trends wrote.

As for the price, the 2016 Toyota Prius starts at around $25,000 for the entry-level Prius Two, and could go up to as much as $30, 000 for the top trim Four Touring.

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