2016 Toyota Prius Unveiled in Las Vegas

Kuala Lumpur: After a string of spy shots and official image leaks, Toyota has finally launched its Prius in Las Vegas today. All the camouflaged images were right as what we saw of the fourth-generation Toyota Prius, correctly previewed the model that is unveiled today. Allover, Toyota promises a better fuel efficiency, added technology and improved driving dynamics with this car.

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Inspired from Toyota Mirai, the 2016 Toyota Prius is a bit bigger than its third-generation. Now it measures 61 mm longer, 15 mm wider and 20 mm lower than the old car. Towards the front fascia, it is designed with arrow-shaped LED headlights along with low set nose and a sharper front spoiler. It's sleeker look is enhanced by the lower hood and character lines which runs along the sides and sweep up to the back fender. Moving towards the rear end, its blacked-out C-pillars gives the impression of a floating roof while the full-length tail lights connect the rear spoiler to car's edges.

Inside, one can notice the same center-mounted dash layout from previous models along with a more upright centre console finished in gloss black. Apart from that, the gear selector and its surrounding is given a gloss white finish making a good contrast with black. Its all-new three-spoke steering wheel has been redesigned as well. Other changes in the interior include a broad digital instrument cluster and a colour screen display.

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The 2016 Toyota Prius would be the first car to be built on Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) which would give it a lower centre of gravity and help improve the resource efficiency by as much as 20%. Thanks to its stiffer bodyshell and a new double-wishbone rear suspension, an improved handling can be experienced as compared to its predecessor. With its forthcoming Eco model, a 10% improvement in fuel efficiency is promised on core models. Its previous fuel efficiency of 21.26 kmpl would be replaced with a better 23.38 kmpl. It would be powered by a 1.8-litre Atkinson-cycle petrol engine capable of churning out a maximum power of 150 hp, which is 14 hp more than the previous model.