The Toyota Hybrid System

The Toyota Hybrid System uses advanced engineering to combine a gas engine with an electric motor to create an environmentally conscious, fuel-efficient, hybrid sedan. It's the Prius and it clearly addresses the needs of today at up to 48 mpg. A Super Ultra Low Emission (SULEV) rating that's 84% cleaner than the standard for an Ultra Low Emission vehicle (ULEV).** It also has the practicality of a conventional car, plus the comfort and quality of a Toyota. All this and the Prius never needs to be plugged in for recharging. No wonder over 100,000 are already on the road worldwide. And with a five-year record of reliability, it's safe to say there's no other vehicle quite like it.

Prius' technical achievements are some of the most advanced on the road today, yet the beauty of it all is how seamless its technology is to driver and passenger alike.

The Toyota Hybrid System (THS) combines a highly efficient VVT-i gas engine with an advanced electric motor to not only power the Prius, but also recharge the vehicle's batteries thanks to an ingenious generator and regenerative braking system. This means the Prius never needs to be plugged in for recharging. Overseeing all this is Prius' Advanced Control System (ACS) which monitors each system component to maximize fuel efficiency and minimize emissions. Add in an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT) and you'll wonder how all this technology fits under the hood.

It's thinking like this that separates the Prius from any other hybrid vehicle on the market. Especially when it comes to designing a hybrid that delivers an efficient power supply with lower emissions. Prius utilizes a sophisticated power split device which serves as the system power broker, distributing a portion of the engine's output to the generator, while funneling the balance of the engine's power to the Prius' drivetrain. The result is a hybrid vehicle with not only ample power, but one that's also cleaner-burning. Comparatively speaking, the Honda Civic Hybrid and Insight employ a parallel hybrid system in which a gas engine provides the main power to the vehicle with an electric motor assisting when needed.

For more information about the Toyota Prius, please contact Lou Fusz Toyota at 10725 Manchester Road, 314-966-5404.