2016 Toyota Prius to get 55 m.p.g.

Toyota says its all-new 2016 Prius sets a new bar with an expected 10% improvement in fuel economy or 55 m.p.g. for the core models of a family of hybrids already known for their efficiency.

The fourth-generation Prius will go on sale in Japan in December and hit U.S. showrooms early next year. Pricing has not been announced.

It debuts in a rare cycle of low gasoline prices, which has suppressed the sales of hybrid and electric vehicles. But at some point, gas prices are expected to rise again, which pushes consumers to buy fuel-sipping vehicles.

The Prius was not the first hybrid on the market when it debuted in 1997 but established itself as the industry benchmark and Toyota used its success to expand the technology across its lineup.

The Prius is Toyota's flagship hybrid and the 2016 model has a new look and technological advances while also being lighter and more aerodynamic. It debuts the automaker's next generation of powertrain technology that does an even better job of using fuel and energy to get more miles per gallon.

Toyota does not have official results yet from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency but estimates a 10% improvement on core models, which would put it in the 55-m.p.g. range compared with the 50 m.p.g. that the 2015 model gets. And there will be an Eco model that will get even better figures, the automaker says.

Changes have been made to everything from redesigned smaller components to changes to the transaxle, engine, battery and other aspects of the hybrid system.

The 2016 Prius still has a 1.8-liter engine but it has been re-engineered. Not only is it smaller and lighter, but it achieves 40% thermal efficiency and the car has active grille shutters that open and close the grille depending on the outside temperature so the engine can run at peak efficiency.

The Prius continues to offer nickel-metal hydride batteries but they are denser and produce more power while being smaller so they fit under the rear seat which increases cargo space. Toyota also has new lithium ion batteries, which are expected to go in the Eco model.

The Prius was developed in Japan and is the first vehicle since Toyota introduced a new product development strategy known as Toyota New Global Architecture to better leverage the global scale of one of the world's largest automakers.

The car has a stiffer body, is lower and sleeker and gets the new Toyota Safety Sense system, which includes collision prevention systems and parking assist.

Other enhancements include new seats, gauges and displays including a heads-up display that projects information onto the windshield, and better air conditioning.

Contact Alisa Priddle: 313-222-5394 or apriddle@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @AlisaPriddle



