Almost five years after the introduction of Toyota’s pioneering first model, the stage is set for the all-new Prius Plug-in Hybrid to redefine the experience of plug-in hybrid vehicles all over again. Discover what makes our new Hybrid’s fully electric driving experience truly special.

As with any Toyota full Hybrid, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is able to run on its petrol engine or electric motor alone, or both together, while regenerative braking recaptures electrical energy for storage in the battery.

By building on the foundations of the latest generation Prius – which showcases a more dynamic drive and an all-new full hybrid system – the intuitive, silent and responsive Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s (PHV) is the perfect fit for those who want a Hybrid car with the benefits of extended Electric Vehicle (EV) driving.

Faster and further on electric

Imagine being able to drive at speeds as high as 135km/h or as far as 50km* without using a drop of fuel. Well, that time is now thanks to the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s 68kW EV power rating.

A larger capacity lithium-ion battery pack (double the capacity of the first-generation’s battery) offers improved acceleration and extended EV driving times. The benefit? The more you recharge the battery, the more you can drive in full EV mode. The result? Even less time spent in petrol stations!

When your journeys exceed its 50km* EV range the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid is estimated to sip fuel at a mere 1.0l/100km*, which means fewer refuels for you and even fewer emissions from the tailpipe: estimated at an exceptionally low 22g/km*.

Featuring a Toyota-first dual motor/generator drive system, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers spirited acceleration and is less dependent on its petrol engine – even when accelerating or using the heater in winter – thanks to the world’s first heat pump air conditioning system with gas injection. As for recharging the battery, in a little over two hours it’ll be fully charged and ready to use its full EV capability.

Harnessing the power of solar

The Toyota engineers responsible for the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid have worked tirelessly to equip their new technical marvel with innovative features that will not only surprise and delight owners, but more than match its cutting-edge drive.

Evolving the first-generation model’s solar-powered ventilation system, an all-new solar roof charging system makes a world-first appearance. Not only does this enhance the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s remarkable fuel efficiency, but also points to a future where cars have the potential to generate their own electricity.

Offering two clear advantages for everyday use, the new solar roof not only powers electronics within the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s cabin – such as the lights and multimedia system while on the move – it will also recharge the battery when it’s parked. Incredibly this top-up of energy can contribute to an additional 1,000km* of EV range each year depending on the country and conditions it’s being driven in.

Technology that makes a difference

Inside the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s advanced cabin, a wireless phone charger in the centre console allows you to recharge compatible smartphones without the need for a cable, while a colour head-up display presents essential information on the windscreen, so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid also features Toyota Safety Sense as standard – an advanced suite of active and preventative safety technologies. Highlights include Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (with full stop technology) which detects a change in distance to the vehicle in front and causes the Prius Plug-in Hybrid to either slow, come to a complete standstill or accelerate smoothly back to its pre-selected cruising speed, once traffic speed increases. Other features include: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Automatic Braking and Lane Departure Alert (with Steering Assist) and Automatic High Beam.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s energy-conserving four-lamp matrix LED headlights incorporate unique, speed-sensitive, adaptive beam technology. Using a light-sensing camera to detect the headlights of oncoming vehicles and tail lights of those ahead, it automatically adjusts your headlight beam so as not to dazzle drivers ahead. It even varies the angle and depth of the light beam to match your vehicle’s speed and help spread the light when cornering.

Completing this impressive host of features is Blind Spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Simple Intelligent Parking Assist (S-IPA) system, which uses an array of sensors to identify and steer into and out of parallel parking spaces – it will even guide you into perpendicular spaces too, for complete peace of mind.

Electrifying drive, athletic design

Like the latest generation Prius, the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid is based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. This places the driver low in the car in a more engaging position ensuring the Prius Plug-in Hybrid offers a more dynamic driving experience. A feeling that is heightened by the lower centre of gravity and enhanced suspension.

The TNGA platform has also given our designers freedom to give the new car its distinctive, road-hugging, edgy look. The aerodynamic design with its double-bubble rear window glass and automatic grille shutter – which reduces drag when cooling isn’t required – give the Prius Plug-in Hybrid a remarkably low Cd 0.25 coefficient of drag.

With sales of the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid due to start in Europe from early 2017, it represents another landmark chapter in our Hybrid story. Starting with the Prius in 1997, we are proud to have sold over nine million hybrid vehicles around the world, saving more than 67 million tonnes of CO2.

With the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid forming part of an eight-model Toyota Hybrid family, we are at the start of a journey to reduce the CO2 emissions from our vehicles by 90 per cent by 2050, compared to the levels we had in 2010.

To do this we will make our conventionally powered models more fuel-efficient and we will promote the development of next-generation vehicles with low or zero carbon emissions, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and fuel cell vehicles.

*Subject to final vehicle homologation