The 2006 Toyota Prius - Yet Another Winning Hybrid From Toyota
By Colin Ayres - EcoCarOnline.com
Roughly 1300 miles separate New York and Miami.
And the Toyota Prius can get there in one tank of gas.
No kidding. In August 2005, an unmodified Prius traveled 1397 miles, farther than the distance between New York and Miami, on a single 13-gallon tank of gas - getting about 110 miles per gallon. So, while other major car companies are flirting with the 30 and 40 mpg marks in a majority of their hybrids, Toyota seems to keep pulling farther and farther away from the competition, crushing those numbers with the Prius.
The 2006 model, available in November, 2005, will look much like the 2005 Prius, with a short list of upgrades. But that should delight most hybrid lovers as gas mileage won't be compromised, still averaging 55mpg, and the car's aesthetic will be improved upon, albeit slightly, with a few more options for buyers to choose from.
The basic model's exterior will include new headlight and taillight designs, a new front spoiler and chrome finish on the grill bar. Inside, drivers can choose from features like leather seating, an upgraded stereo that allows MP3-media capability, a mini-jack port for music players, rear backup camera, and even a navigation system with voice recognition.
Under the hood, the 2006 Prius produces a modest 110 horsepower, which eases the hybrid from 0 to 60 in about 10 seconds. So for consumers who are purchasing the Prius - don't expect too much automotive power. For those that crave a little more oomph, think about shopping elsewhere.
The base price of the 2006 Prius will rise to $22,265, about $500 more than 2005. That's not horrible news considering the destination charge is already included in the MSRP. And, that filling up will become more of an afterthought than a weekly priority. For those drivers still making regular stops at the gas station, keep an eye out for the Prius as it passes by, headed down to Miami for the weekend.
| Specifications |
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| Price: |
$21,725 (MSRP) |
| Powertrain: |
Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve; VVT-i 4-cylinder |
| Electric motor: |
Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor |
| Estimated HP: |
110 |
| EPA emissions rating: |
Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) |
| EPA-estimated mileage ratings: |
60 mpg city / 51 mpg hwy |
| Transmission: |
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) |
| Wheelbase: |
106.3 in. |
| Length: |
175.0 in. |
| Width: |
67.9 in. |
| Height: |
58.1 in. |
Source. Toyota.com and About.com |
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