More stories

  • in

    Toyota's Attractive New 2023 Prius Costs $2375 More Than Before

    Toyota’s slick new Prius hybrid starts at $28,545 for the base LE trim, an increase of $2375 over the previous generation’s L Eco base model.The redesigned hybrid hatchback will be offered in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited.All-wheel drive is available as an option over all three of the Prius’s trim levels for $1400.We’ve been fawning over the 2023 Toyota Prius since its debut at the L.A. auto show last month—which is something we never thought we’d write—and we now know how much the redesigned hybrid will cost. It’s no surprise, but Toyota has increased the base price of the Prius hatchback by $2375 for 2023, essentially by eliminating the former L Eco base model.While it’s possible that the new Prius will gain special-edition models such as Nightshade in the future, for now the hybrid will be offered only in LE, XLE, and Limited trims. All three of those can be had in either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. Opting for AWD adds $1400 to the bottom line. More Info on the Sleek new HybridThe new base model will be the LE trim, which starts at $28,545. This value leader also offers the highest fuel-economy estimates, according to Toyota, at 57 mpg combined. The XLE and Limited models are good for 52 mpg combined. The LE comes standard with features including 17-inch wheels, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear parking sensors, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise control with lane centering. In the middle of the Prius lineup is the XLE, which starts at $31,990 and adds 19-inch wheels, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a wireless smartphone charging pad. The XLE can be ordered with a larger 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen for $610 and a fixed-glass roof for $1000.The top-of-the-line Limited starts at $35,560 and comes with all manner of luxuries including the larger touchscreen, the glass roof, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a JBL audio system, a power liftgate, and a digital key system. For $1085, you can add the Premium package, which includes a 360-degree camera system and a self-parking feature. A digital rearview mirror is available for $200, and heated rear seats cost an extra $350. We don’t have word on how much the new plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime will cost quite yet, but we should get that information soon. The new Prius and its alluring new styling will appear in Toyota dealerships soon. The company says deliveries are expected to start in early winter of 2023, so that could mean as soon as January.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

  • in

    2023 Toyota Prius Specs Revealed: Better in Some Ways, Worse in Others

    Toyota has released more detailed specs on the new 2023 Prius hybrid.Its dimensions have changed significantly, meaning there’s less interior space than before.A new powertrain with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine means more power and better fuel efficiency than before.Now that we’ve all reacted to the 2023 Toyota Prius hybrid’s surprising new design, it’s finally time to dig into the details of what’s underneath the redesigned body. Toyota has released full specifications covering the powertrain, dimensions, interior space, and—perhaps most importantly of all—fuel-economy ratings.More MPGsThe most efficient version of the new Prius is the LE with front-wheel drive, which is rated at 57 mpg combined. Adding all-wheel drive drops that number to 54 mpg, and opting for the higher XLE and Limited trim levels—with their larger wheels and tires and extra equipment—pushes the combined figure down to 52 mpg with front-wheel drive and 49 mpg with all-wheel drive.These numbers aren’t too different from the old model, which was rated at 56 mpg combined for the Eco trim, 52 mpg combined for FWD models, and 49 mpg combined for AWD models. In our 75-mph real-world highway fuel economy test, we previously achieved a result of 46 mpg for a 2017 Prius FWD and 47 mpg for a 2019 Prius AWD. We look forward to testing the new model on this same test to see what it can do. More on the New PriusExtra PowerThe new, larger-displacement inline-four gasoline engine is mostly the reason for the new Prius’s greatly increased power output. The engine itself produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, while the old Prius’ gasoline engine couldn’t even crest the 100-hp mark, rated at 96 hp. The main electric motor that serves as a motor-generator and powers the front wheels is also more powerful than before, at 111 hp, and the additional rear electric motor that powers the rear wheels in AWD models now makes 40 hp.The drivetrain’s combined output sits at 194 hp for FWD models and 196 hp for AWD models. (The plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime is even more powerful, at 220 hp, but we don’t have full specs on that model quite yet.)Interior and Exterior DimensionsIf you were wondering whether the Prius’s low-slung shape would affect interior space negatively, you might be disappointed—or vindicated—to find out that the new model has less passenger and cargo volume than before. Toyota claims 91 cubic feet of passenger space, down from 93 cubic feet for the old model, and just 20 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats up in XLE and Limited models. The LE has a bit more space back there, but even its 24 cubic feet of space is less than the old car’s 27 cubic feet. We’ll have to see how many carryon suitcases we can fit inside the new model, but it’s safe to assume that it’ll accommodate less than the 6 suitcases we fit in the old Prius with the seats up.Perhaps surprisingly, the new Prius is not more aerodynamic than the old one. Toyota claims a drag coefficient of 0.27 compared with the old car’s 0.24. Dimensionally, it’s 1.1 inch longer, 0.9 inch wider, and between 1.8–2 inches lower than before, depending on trim level. The wheelbase has grown by 2 inches, which helps rear legroom increase by an inch. But headroom is down for both front- and rear-seat passengers. The Prius isn’t exactly meant for off-roading, but those with treacherous driveways will be glad to know that ground clearance is up by between 0.5 and 0.7 inch. This content is imported from OpenWeb. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

  • in

    2023 Toyota Prius Shames Its Predecessor's Acceleration Performance

    The 2023 Toyota Prius isn’t just prettier than its predecessor; its straight-line performance is also considerably better.The new front-wheel-drive Prius we tested hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds, making it 3.4 seconds quicker than its older equivalent.The Prius’s improved acceleration comes with an enhanced hybrid powertrain that produces a lot more horsepower.Welcome to Car and Driver’s Testing Hub, where we zoom in on the test numbers. We’ve been pushing vehicles to their limits since 1956 to provide objective data to bolster our subjective impressions (you can see how we test here). A more comprehensive review of the 2023 Toyota Prius can be found here.In what world is a hybrid’s straight-line performance important? Welcome to Car and Driver! Thanks for stopping by. For those who haven’t heard, the new fifth-generation Toyota Prius is preparing to hit the streets, and we’ve already subjected it to our signature series of track tests. The results speak volumes: Toyota’s proverbial hybrid is not only a lot prettier, but it’s a lot quicker, too. The 2023 Prius hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds—a noteworthy 3.4 ticks ahead of its predecessor, which took a pitifully slow 10.5 seconds to hit that mark.Prius Palate CleanserBefore we compare the rest of the new Prius’s test numbers with those of the old one, let’s reset the deck. The 2023 Toyota Prius kickstarts a new generation with a makeover that most people with two working eyes would call attractive at worst and drop-dead gorgeous at best. (The latter likely applies to owners of one or more of the previous generations). While the hybrid hatchback’s visual shift from dorky to sexy is a hot topic of conversation, here at Car and Driver, we like to offset subjective musing with objective testing.Previewing the New PriusUnderneath the Prius’s hot new bod is an enhanced hybrid powertrain. As with the outgoing versions, the incoming ones are still available with front- or all-wheel drive. Along with switching from a nickel-metal-hydride battery to a lithium-ion pack, the Prius’s gas-fed engine goes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder to a larger 2.0-liter four-pot.The growth spurt in engine displacement brings a big bump in horsepower too, with output rising from 121 total horses to between 194 and 196 combined ponies for the front- and all-wheel-drive models, respectively. There’s also a new plug-in-hybrid Prius Prime that headlines with 220 horsepower (also up from 121 hp), but we haven’t yet had the chance to test one.Quickest Prius We’ve Ever Tested (So Far)The only 2023 Prius we’ve strapped our test gear to so far is a top-spec Limited trim with front-wheel drive. For comparison’s sake, that setup most closely corresponds with the 2017 Prius Three (same front-drive configuration) we tested several years back.Despite some increased dimensions and the addition of upgraded equipment, the new Prius isn’t much heavier than before. The 2023 example tipped our scales at 3199 pounds, a reasonable 86 pounds more than the 3113-pound 2017 version. The new Prius still carries about 60 percent of its curb weight up front.2017 Prius Three.As we revealed earlier, the new Prius hit 60 mph in 7.1 seconds. That’s an unremarkable time when taken out of context. However, compared with the 10.5 ticks the old Prius needed to reach the mile-per-minute mark, that 3.4-second improvement is cause for celebration—at least among folks who extol the joy of driving.The new Prius proved significantly quicker in our other acceleration tests, too. Its quarter-mile time dropped more than two seconds, from 17.8 seconds at 79 mph to 15.5 seconds at 92 mph. The 2023 model should also reduce any lingering anxiety when executing passes on the highway, as the hybrid now accelerates from 50 to 70 mph in 5 seconds flat (2.1 seconds quicker than before).Marc Urbano|Car and DriverOn the rare occasions a new Prius driver wants to seek speeds in triple-digit territory, it’s remarkable how much quicker they can do it. We hit 100 mph in 18.8 seconds. That’s an incredible 11.7 seconds quicker than its predecessor, which took 30.5 ticks. The old car also needed 43.2 seconds to reach 110 mph; the new one did the deed in 24.4 seconds.More Prius Tests to ComeThe last all-wheel-drive Prius we tested was three-tenths slower to 60 mph (10.8 seconds) than its front-drive counterpart, which suggests the new all-wheel-drive version might not be quicker either. Still, we’ll have to wait until we test one to find out. The same goes for the new Prius Prime; the outgoing example we tested took 10.3 seconds to hit 60 mph.For now, the new front-drive 2023 Prius is the quickest Prius we’ve ever tested. Only time will tell if the hybrid’s newfound speed will require sacrifices at the fuel pump. Toyota claims the new Prius is more efficient than the last, targeting an EPA-rated 57 mpg combined versus the previous high of 56 mpg combined. However, we’ll see if our real-world fuel-economy test says differently. Stay tuned.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

  • in

    Maruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – Render In New Colours

    With a highly modular compact electric architecture, an Omni EV is technically feasibleMaruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – RenderThe paradigm shift towards e-mobility could be a rare but wonderful opportunity for the OEMs to clean their slate and start afresh. This means an ailing automaker could execute a course correction and bounce back.Iconic automotive nameplates that are long forgotten could be totally reinvented with a modern take. Maybe, and we say only maybe, small cars, sedans and minivans could become cool again by overcoming the contagious crossover fever!Maruti Omni Electric VanIf at all there is an Indian automotive icon we would love to see in a neo-classic electric avatar, it is the Maruti Omni. Such was the popularity of the versatile and affordable minivan that it enjoyed considerable demand until the very last day. As most of you know, Maruti had to put the Omni down as it was nowhere close to meeting the new mandatory safety regulations.Now that a highly modular electric platform is pretty much the way the whole automotive world is heading, a Maruti Omni EV based on a future-ready Suzuki compact car architecture is technically feasible. It all depends on whether the company wants to do it or not. Anyway, we thought we would envision a funky Omni EV and leave it out there for you to ogle at (and summon the power of collective desire!).Maruti Omni Electric Van Future MPV – RenderOur rendering specialist Pratyush Rout started out by retaining everything that made the original Omni an astounding success – compact footprint, boxy shape, and the quintessential sliding rear doors. And as you can see, the Omni’s core design effortlessly adopts modern elements like LED lighting and aero-friendly features such as flush door handles, rear-view cameras and low-drag wheels.A simple and uncluttered dashboard with a generously proportioned infotainment display would make this hypothetical Maruti Omni EV a compelling urban mobility solution. There is no reason why the original minivan’s 8-seat configuration could not be retained. With a range of around 300 to 400 km, the electric people carrier would be immensely popular in rural and urban markets alike.Maruti’s EV gameplanThat said, Maruti Suzuki is not in any hurry to kick-start its electric era. Citing lack of infrastructure and support from the government in promoting e-mobility, the automaker has shelved its electric Wagon-R project which is initially touted to be ready for 2020. At least for the next 3-4 years, Maruti is likely to focus on its CNG and hybrid powered lineup, even if its rivals turn their focus towards electric vehicles.We think even if Maruti forgoes first-mover advantage in the compact electric vehicle market in India, it will still take a monumental effort by the competitors to breach the fort. And in the process of trying, they are likely to make the market conducive, only for Maruti to sweep in and retake control! More

  • in

    Mahindra Electric XUV, BEVs To Be Built At New Pune Plant – Rs 10k Cr Investment

    Mahindra electric vehicle manufacturing plant to be set up in Pune, Maharashtra at an investment of Rs 10,000 crore over a period of 7-8 yearsMahindra INGLO Platform for upcoming Electric SUVsWhen it comes to EVs, brand Mahindra is a name that has cropped up in more conversations than others. Years earlier the auto manufacturer showed interest in Reva, a Bangalore based electric car company. They sold small electric cars that found much acceptance in Bangalore in its early years. Following its acquisition by Mahindra, the e2o, previously known as REVA NXR was launched, and thereafter eVerito.In recent times, the company has introduced a range of Treo e3Ws. And most recently, XUV400 electric. In short, it’s been years since the wait started. And finally Mahindra electric passenger cars are set to be a real EV buying option. XUV400 EV will be available in 3 variants.Mahindra EV manufacturing plant investmentWith longterm EV goals set, our roads are inclined to look different by the end of the decade. Focus is laid on large-scale EV adoption. Plans are afoot to introduce larger electric fleets for public transportation needs. E-commerce and delivery companies are committed to using electric SCVs. And private consumption in the future looks vastly different. At present, this change is being led by e2W manufacturers with e-scooters leading the charts.In terms of electric cars, customer choice is far too limited at the moment. And more players are expected to participate in a few short years to change the way the electric car portfolio looks.Mahindra XUV Electric SUVMahindra has now announced an investment of Rs. 10,000 Crore for electric vehicles. This has been approved under Maharashtra Government’s industrial promotion scheme for Electric Vehicles.  The 10,000 Crore investment will be made over a period of 7-8 years. It’s earmarked for building a manufacturing facility, development, and production.mahindra INGLO EV Platform and BE brandBased on the state-of-the-art INGLO EV Platform, Mahindra e-SUVs will be launched under the XUV brand, and an all-new electric-only brand is called ‘BE’.  Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director, Auto & Farm Sectors, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., stated, “We are delighted with this approval from the Govt. of Maharashtra for setting up our EV Manufacturing Plant in Pune, and investing in what has been our ‘home’ state for over 70 years. We are very thankful to the Govt. of Maharashtra for their continued support. The Government’s focus on ‘ease-of-doing-business’ and progressive policies, together with Mahindra’s investment, will act as a catalyst for Maharashtra to become India’s EV hub, attracting further Indian and Foreign Direct Investment.” More

  • in

    IIHS Making Sure Crash Test Equipment Can Handle 9600-Pound EVs

    This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.IIHS crash propulsion system still pulling its weightWatch onIIHS has been crashing vehicles into barricades for decades. Until now, the heaviest vehicle the organization has tested was a 6000-pound Audi e-tron.With heavier electric vehicles on the way, like the 9640-pound Hummer EV, IIHS wanted to make sure it could handle bringing something that heavy up to speed in the crash chamber.To that end, an old Ford F-150 was loaded with concrete and steel and successfully smashed. IIHS, of course, provides the video receipts.After a crash, first responders need to approach electric vehicles differently than internal combustion engine vehicles. But even before a collision happens, people who work with crashed cars are changing their approach.That’s what the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has discovered as it gets ready to crash test some incredibly heavy EVs. In a video posted to YouTube, IIHS explains that it acquired a junked Ford F-150 that could still roll and loaded it up until the total weight hit 9500 pounds. The heavy tests aren’t meant to see what happens when an old F-150 loaded with concrete blocks and heavy steel plates hits a wall at 40 miles per hour (spoiler alert, it’s not pretty), but to make sure that IIHS’s test equipment can handle testing, for example, the GMC Hummer EV, which in our testing measured the scales at a whopping 9640 pounds. The heaviest vehicle IIHS has yet tested was an Audi e-tron that almost hit 6000 pounds.”With electric vehicles coming in and that battery weight pushing vehicle mass higher and higher, we want to be able to know that we can conduct the test here,” Raul Arbelaez, vice preside of vehicle research at IIHS, said in the video. “And if we can’t, we need to make some modifications to our crash machine.”More on the IIHSThe machines IIHS uses tow cables connected to the crash machine to bring the vehicles up to speed before they hit the barrier. IIHS has 600 feet of runway, but when you’re trying to get almost five tons of steel and batteries to 40 mph, you need a robust propulsion system. Based on the video IIHS released, the system works just fine. Stand by for slow-motion videos of a giant, zero-emission beast being torn apart.IIHS has studied the effect of vehicle size and weight on occupant safety for decades. In 2003, automakers entered into a “compatibility agreement” that they would work on improving the safety of smaller vehicles when in a crash with a larger one, especially when it came to front-to-front and front-to-side crashes. The agreement was finally adhered to in 2009, and a 2012 paper noted that the reduction in “car crash partner death rates” for SUVs and pickups had dropped, and that intentional safety efforts in specific areas like this one could lead to “a passenger vehicle fleet that is much more compatible in crashes.”This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from youTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

  • in

    2024 Mazda CX-90 Will Be Offered as a Plug-In Hybrid

    Mazda has revealed a bit more about the new 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV.We now know that it will be offered with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain, in addition to the previously announced inline-six.A teaser image showing the rear end provides a glimpse of the taillight design and the “e-Skyactiv PHEV” badge.The new 2024 CX-90 three-row SUV will be Mazda’s first plug-in-hybrid model in the U.S. when it debuts next month. The company confirmed that a PHEV option will be offered, in addition to the previously announced inline-six engine, and partially revealed the crossover’s rear end and its “e-Skyactiv PHEV” badge with blue accents.We expect the plug-in-hybrid model to use a similar setup as the Europe-market CX-60, which we drove earlier this year. That SUV, which rides on the same longitudinal platform as the CX-90, has a 2.5-liter inline-four gasoline engine and an electric motor that combine for 323 horsepower and 369 pound-feet. A 17.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides a claimed electric-only range of 35 miles, although Mazda does hint that the U.S. version of this powertrain could have slightly different specifications.More on Mazda SUVsFrom what we’ve seen so far, we think the CX-90’s styling will mostly fall in line with Mazda’s current SUV lineup, although the taillight shape looks a bit more angular and modern. Its interior is also likely to be luxurious, as the CX-90 is part of Mazda’s continued push upmarket. The longitudinal platform and inline-six engine will help this new model compete with premium-brand SUVs, as will this PHEV variant that could rival hybrid SUVs such as the BMW X5, Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, and Volvo XC90.We’ll find out lots more about the CX-90 when it debuts in January 2023, so stay tuned for more information about this new SUV model.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.This content is imported from poll. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. More

  • in

    Next Gen Yamaha RX100 Will Be Powered By A Bigger Engine

    Yamaha has confirmed that they are working on launching new gen RX 100 – But this time, it will be powered by a bigger engineOld gen Yamaha RX100If there is one motorcycle from Yamaha that has captivated Indian audiences like no other, it is RX100. Yes, RD350 exists. But it was not bought by a wide range of customers. RX100 was the people’s champion when it comes to 2-stroke pocket rockets. A motorcycle so iconic, Yamaha still supports the platform by providing spare parts.Yamaha RX100 had to be discontinued from India, despite it being an icon. Due to its 2-stroke engine, it has unreal performance when 100cc engines are concerned and is an absolute blast to ride. Nostalgia and craze have kept the RX100 flame alive in India even today – years after it was discontinued.Next Gen Yamaha RX100Re-igniting that flame, Yamaha India Chairman, Eishin Chihana had revealed before that RX100 is making a comeback. According to him, the RX100 name was kept as is and was not used on any other motorcycle till now. This was done deliberately as the company has plans to revive this icon back to its former glory.It is pretty obvious that Yamaha won’t be bringing back OG RX100’s 2-stroke engine owing to stringent BS6 Phase II emission norms. Also, it is pretty evident that Yamaha is taking its sweet time to bring RX100 back as they can’t just slap that iconic name on just any other product and call it a day.Image For Reference By – EIMOR CustomsIt has to look right, it has to feel right, it has to perform right as well. A recent report reveals that Yamaha is considering a larger engine for RX100 revival. That is because they can’t recreate OG RX100 levels of performance from a modern 100cc engine without breaking the bank. Yamaha India Chairman said that RX100 holds a strong sentiment among Indians due to its design, sound and performance. A combination of which caused the excitement. To maintain the OG RX100 image, it has to offer adequate performance. He revealed that a larger displacement engine will create that original impact.What To Expect?Yes. You read that right. Upcoming Yamaha RX100 won’t be a 100cc machine. It is not yet known which engine might make it to the upcoming RX motorcycle. Yamaha currently has 125cc engines in their scooters and might take TVS’ approach while making Raider 125. Yamaha has 150cc and 250cc engines which are less tech-savvy and a 150cc engine with a lot of tech.Any of those engines might make it on to the upcoming Yamaha RX100. But, there is a possibility that Yamaha is aiming at Royal Enfields with its iconic RX moniker. Imagine Yamaha’s 250cc engine being bored out to displace 300cc or 350cc. With OG RX100’s looks and a modern 300cc to 350cc engine, it would be an absolute weapon against Royal Enfield motorcycles.We say this because RX100s touched more lives in the past than Royal Enfield motorcycles have. An RX300 or an RX350 might evoke even more nostalgia. If Hero MotoCorp made a CD300 or CD350 based on the upcoming XPulse 300+ engine with square headlights, I would buy one in a heartbeat. Whatever Yamaha is cooking, will be ready by 2026 or beyond.Source More