(National Post) Preview: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Tideland Prius]

YOUNTVILLE, CALIF • Anybody who needs convincing there is money in the fruit of the vine need look no further than Northern California’s Napa Valley. The closer one gets to some of the most noted wineries in the Golden State, the fancier the cars on the road. A quick run up Highway 29 from Napa to St. Helena revealed at least one Ferrari and Maserati, Mercedes by the score, a gaggle of Porsches and BMWs, Lexuses and Infinitis too numerous to mention, Vettes and Mustangs old and new, plus a seriously trick Studebaker pickup — all in an hour.

Yet, it was equally obvious that Californians are embracing their inner green. Stepping outside San Francisco airport, one couldn’t help spot the copious Toyota Prius taxis and rentals (Ford Escape Hybrid cabs were also in ready supply). And the main highways and secondary routes heading north through Sonoma and Napa were liberally salted with the second-generation versions of Toyota’s halo hybrid vehicle. Far be it for me to suggest Toyota Canada had stacked the deck in preparation of the ride and drive of its new, third-generation model, but it had definitely picked friendly territory.

It’s not that the upcoming 2010 Prius needs much in the way of help. More than its first two predecessors, generation three is almost completely “normal” to drive, quite an achievement for such a high-tech car.

Preview: 2010 Toyota Prius - Posted Driving




The important bits:

Carefully monitoring the instrumentation, driving well under the posted speed limited and switching to EV-Drive with a couple of kilometres to go, we triumphed with a Scrooge-like average of 2.95 L/100 km.

That's 79.73mpg US or 95.59mpg Imp..

That's close to the 100mpg Imp. that Automobile Mag was quoting way way way back then.

Put to the test, the new Prius retains its miserly status at the pumps. The drive from downtown San Franciso, over the Golden Gate Bridge and north on Hwy. 101 to Sonoma generated 4.6 litres per 100 kilometres. Later, a run up Hwy. 29 from Yountville to Calistoga and back down the scenic Silverado Trail saw an average of 3.9 L/100 km.

Normal driving in SF (which we know isn't forgiving for mpg).

4.6L/100km = 51mpg.

3.9L/100km = 60mpg