Automotive News

Toyota expects to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions in its latest Prius hybrid car by 20 percent. The fourth-generation Prius will go on sale in Europe and the U.S. early next year following its December launch in Japan.

During a recent Prius test drive in Japan, Toyota Europe executives said the company is targeting an 20 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the Prius under the European testing cycle when compared with the current model.

The reduction would mean the Prius’s lowest CO2 emissions would be about 70 grams per kilometer compared with 86g/km in the current model. The car’s fuel consumption would decrease to about 3.0 liters per 100km from 3.9l/100km.

Toyota said measures to boost the Prius’s fuel economy include an overhauled engine achieving 40 percent thermal efficiency, a new and lighter electric motor that is 20 percent more efficient, as well as improved aerodynamics.

Toyota also moved the battery pack from the trunk to below the rear seat, lowering the car’s center of gravity and increasing the cargo space by 56 liters to 502 liters.

The new Prius will cost about the same in Europe as the current model, which starts at 26,850 euros in Germany. The company said it will disclose exact pricing closer to the sales launch.

The Prius is not a big seller in Europe, where hybrid versions of the Auris compact and Yaris subcompact outsell the Prius.

Toyota sold 136,744 hybrid models in Europe through October, according to company data. Of these sales, 14,298 were Prius models. The Auris was the company’s best-selling hybrid in Europe with sales of 62,775. Toyota sold 59,671 Yaris hybrids.

Toyota sells three variants of the Prius in Europe: a five-door version, the wagon-like Prius Plus and the Prius plug-in. The company sold 6,764 five-door variants, 6,769 Prius Plus models and 765 plug-in variants.

Toyota said the new Prius plug-in will go on sale in Europe at a later date than the standard hybrid but did not give an exact timing. The company declined to comment on whether the Prius Plus will be replaced.