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2012 Prius v Information and Specs

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Jan 10, 2011.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    The 2012 Prius v was revealed today. Here are the highlights, and below is the full information straight from Toyota:
    • 42 MPG City, 38 MPG Highway, 40 MPG Combined
    • Second row seats slide, fold flat, and recline 45 degrees for comfort
    • 34.3 cubic feet of cargo volume
    • First-ever resin Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades
    • One of the first Toyotas with the Entune™ multimedia system
    • Same 1.8 liter engine as the 3rd Gen Prius
    • 11.5 second 0-60 MPH
    Prius v: “Versatility” for Young, Active Families The new Prius v, with “v” expressing the vehicle’s versatility, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA. It will share the current generation Prius’ platform and Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Featuring a compact exterior yet spacious interior, the Prius v will feature over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius. With a balance between outstanding spaciousness, refined style, and smooth aerodynamics, Prius v has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which does not inhibit the vehicle’s convenient packaging. It is a new vehicle designed from the ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an elongated version. The exterior styling is sleek, rounded and bold, with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. The trapezoidal-shaped front features sharp-edged headlamps, wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics and an enlarged under grille, which all help create a unique design evolving from the current Prius. Prius v’s rear styling is highlighted by a refined backdoor panel, intricate combination taillights and a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow. Inside, the Prius v emphasizes overall proportion with spaciousness and flexibility for active families. Comfortable interior space and good visibility has been assisted by a high seating position, ample head room, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing generous rear legroom. A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market and better than some compact SUVs. Comfortable seating for five is specifically designed for young families. Sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater comfort. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four different seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely long cargo. Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and excellent heat insulation performance. Up front, instrument-panel controls, including a single-dial air-conditioning control and a center-mounted digital combination meter, provide an advanced look and user-friendly command. The driving controls – including the Push Button Start, parking switch, electronic shift lever, and driving mode selection – are distinguished by silver trim. Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined, the best fuel economy ratings of any SUV, crossover, or wagon on the market. It will also emit 66-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. Like the current generation Prius, the Prius v is a showcase of technology that will include many of the same standard features. Four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV) satisfy a variety of road conditions and driver preferences. A Smart Key System with Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Advanced Parking Guidance System. For a high level of safety, there are seven airbags, a high-strength cabin and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact beams, cross members and leg absorption pads. New driver and front-passenger seat design helps lessen possible whiplash injury during a collision. Like all Toyota models, the Prius v will feature Toyota’s Star Safety System™ standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system. Prius v will be one of the first Toyotas with the Entune™ multimedia system. For the first time ever in an automobile, this innovative new system leverages the mobile phone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated and wireless upgradeable navigation, entertainment and information services. Toyota Entune debuts the first-ever support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports. Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iheartradio’s 750+ stations, Pandora’s personalized music, the driver’s personal songs from portable media players and iPods (via USB or Bluetooth audio streaming), and more than 170 stations from XM satellite radio. Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road, Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands and helps reduce driver distraction. Entune will also allow for audio read-back and replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set “Quick Reply Messages.” Prius v will combine Entune with a standard Display Audio system rich with dynamic entertainment and communication features. The system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase; XM radio, weather, sports, stocks and local fuel pricing; Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio; and full iPod integration including music and video. A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius’ heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius v will go on sale in late summer 2011. 2012 PRIUS v PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS Powertrain 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with VVT-i Engine horsepower: 98 hp @ 5,200 rpm Engine torque: 105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm Electric motor: Permanent magnet synchronous motor Electric motor power output: 80 hp/153 lb-ft torque Hybrid system net horsepower: 134 hp Emission rating: SULEV/Tier 2 Bin 3 Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission Drive System: Front-wheel-drive Hybrid battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride Estimated fuel economy: 42 mpg city/38 mpg hwy/ 40 mpg comb. Dimensions (inches) Overall Length: 181.7 Overall Width: 69.9 Overall Height: 62.0 Wheelbase: 109.4 Ground clearance: 5.7 Coefficient of Drag: 0.29 Wheels: 16-inch alloy wheels 17-inch alloy wheels (optional) Tire Size: 16-inch: 205/60R16 17-inch: 215/50R17 (optional) Seating Capacity: 5 EPA class rating: Midsize Station Wagon
     
  2. dinger_greg

    dinger_greg New Member

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    I really wish the MPG numbers were better. I love the look of the Prius V. The increase in cargo space is a great feature.
     
  3. peterjmc

    peterjmc Ping pong in Ding Dang...

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    I really hope the radio will be interchangeable between the 2010s and 2012s :)

    I also hope that the 2012s come with that new Toyota EnTune system.
     
  4. Silver bullit

    Silver bullit Right Lane Cruiser

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    Nice car. Hopefully someday they will have a plug in model.
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When I saw the mileage numbers I thought: ok, that's pretty good for a seven passenger minivan. Then I see it's five passenger. Ok, so what are the differences between this and Prius: uh, a bit more cargo room? More headroom or shoulder room? Kind of underwhelmed.
     
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    WOW, what a huge hit in FE and performance for a 3 inch longer wheelbase yet still only 5 passenger. I don't get it.

    My grade: C- (I won't be dramatic and call it a fail)
     
  7. wingtipwalker

    wingtipwalker New Member

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    Second...without any extra seating, you're just paying more for lower fuel economy. Cargo room isn't anywhere on my concern list for my current GenIII...and I'm supposedly their "target"...young active family.
     
  8. 13Plug

    13Plug Active Member

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    So is the V just a hybrid Matrix?

    If it had a 3rd row (even for kids), I'd buy it. I'd call the "V" a "miss". And I'm in the target demographic: a young family (2 kids).

    Not worth the mileage drop for a few more cubic feet. The hatchback design of the current Prius makes it a very versatile vehicle.
     
  9. Boo

    Boo Boola Boola Member

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    I agree. In fact, I'm very disappointed. It's larger on the outside than the original Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager, yet unlike those original minivans, it doesn't seat 7 and, AFAIK, can't hold 4' x 8' sheets of plywood. [EDIT: My brother just corrected my assertion about the original minivans. He says that the original minivans could not hold a 4' x 8' plywood sheet without sticking out the rear open hatch.] And it gets 10 fewer miles per gallon than the Prius hatchback.
     
  10. PriusSport

    PriusSport senior member

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    Looks more like a regular Prius than a SUV or station wagon.
     
  11. toronado455

    toronado455 Member

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    Sorry if this has been answered before, but do we know if it will be available with a regular steel roof (without the glass panels)?

    EDIT: Nevermind, I see it says "available" with regard to the moonroof in the press release now.
     
  12. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Wow... I held off on buying a 2010 Prius II to see what a Prius V would be like. While I appreciate the additional rear headroom that addresses our biggest gripe, the mileage hit, likely additional cost of at least $1K, and reduced performance (nearly 12-seconds for 0-60!) really make me question its value.

    I really wonder what the mileage would have been like if they simply kept the existing platform/wheelbase, and just altered the rear/hatch portion for additional headroom. I thought the rear legroom was already pretty good. That additional 3" wheelbase probably had a huge weight penalty (note that weight was never listed on the specs). :doh:
     
  13. toronado455

    toronado455 Member

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    You shouldn't think of it as something that competes with the regular Prius (even though it resembles it somewhat) because it doesn't. This vehicle competes directly with the Mazda5 MPV (and indirectly with stuff like the Scion xB and Chevy HHR), and as such, it represents the first vehicle with similar dimensions (nearly identical to the Mazda5) to have significantly better fuel economy than those vehicles.
     
  14. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    Indeed... it is similar to Rav4 dimensions, with larger wheelbase and 50%!!! better mpg

    This thing has wheelbase of an Camry... It is big car inside.
     
  15. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    Toyota isn't trying to steal market share away from the current Prius. Those who are attracted to the current Prius should continue to look at the current Prius. This vehicle was designed in addition to the current Prius, and not to steal market share from the current Prius. The Prius v is intended to appeal to people that would buy a small SUV, a crossover, or people that haven't bought the current Prius because they think it's too small. Toyota did say that the Prius v has more interior room than some small SUVs. Well, that eliminates the ability of someone looking at one of those SUVs to say "the Prius v is too small for me."

    Also, does the Prius v have more leg room, a higher roof, and a much bigger moon roof than the current Prius?

    .
     
  16. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Well I guess I can't help it, given the "Prius" name.

    The Scion and Chevy - maybe. But keep in mind the Scion XB starts at $17K, quite a difference from a Prius. No way does it compete with the Mazda5 since the Prius V only holds a max of 5 people.
     
  17. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    Anyone want to guess what this model's curb weight is?
     
  18. toronado455

    toronado455 Member

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    I still say it competes with Mazda5, despite the 3rd seat. Personally, I don't want a 3rd seat, and would prefer that neither Mazda5 nor Prius V have one. But I can understand that seating capacity does factor heavily for some buyers, even if the 3rd seat is so small it's only good for pint-sized passengers, and when deployed leaves you with near-zero cargo room.

    Thing is, in terms of wheelbase, overall length, interior space, the Prius V is seriously well-endowed.

    My main point is every vehicle with similar dimensions sold in the USA up to now (not just the familiar Mazda5 and Kia Rondo, but older vehicles like the original 1st gen Honda Odyssey, Mitsubishi Expo, Nissan Stanza Wagon, Nissan Axxess, etc.) has had MPG that isn't significantly better than the larger, more spacious minivans that were concurrently available at a similar price point. Hence they didn't sell too well in the USA.

    I'm hoping vehicles like Prius V (and also Ford S-Max Hybrid and Energi, if and when they come to market) will help to bring about a change in the market for MPVs in the USA.
     
  19. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    It should ride better due to the longer wheel base too. I'll be curious to find out if the rear suspensions are fully independent or not.
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I could of swore that if you watched the infomercial like "introduction" after the formal introduction...The Prius v- Ron Popeil- said something about the Prius v being equipped with some type of different suspension "feature" that reduced the forward pitch and roll of the vehicle. He actually had a name for it...but I can't remember.

    I swear this was said, but can find no mention of it in Toyota's Press Release or Specs.

    Just tell me if I'm losing my mind...because I swear I heard something about it...and find it strange that Toyota is not mentioning it in their own release.