If the continued testing of the prototypes of the 2016 Toyota Prius in various parts of the world is any indication, it seems like the launching of the hybrid car is getting closer and closer.
In May, a heavily-camouflaged Prius was captured on video fuelling up at a gas station in North America. Early this week, another prototype of the 2016 model was spotted cruising on the streets of a large city in Thailand, notes Green Car Reports.
Accordingly, the 2016 Toyota Prius will be more of a driver’s car than its predecessor model, as it will be fitted with blacked-out alloy wheels with a sporty design.
Last year, there were reports that the Japanese carmaker was not happy with the design of the 2016 Toyota Prius so the company sent it back to the studio to make it sportier, thus causing the delay in its production.
It is believed that much of the design concept of the 2016 Toyota Prius was taken from the Toyota C-HR concept car for a compact crossover which the company showcased during the 2014 Paris Motor Show.
Global architecture
The 2016 Toyota Prius is reportedly the first of several new vehicles from the Japanese carmaker which will adopt the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA).
While Toyota has yet to disclose the official release date of the 2016 Toyota Prius, speculations are going around that the hybrid vehicle could be launch either at the Tokyo Motor Show in October or the Los Angeles Auto Show in November this year, although there is a good chance that it can also happen at the Detroit Auto Show in January next year. Production of the hybrid vehicle is said to start in Japan in December this year.
The new Prius will maintain the nickel-metal-hydride battery pack which it started using with the base model, with an option to use a lithium-ion battery in a more expensive variant that shall offer better fuel savings.
There are also reports that new Prius will not go into production until October 2016 during which it will come out already with wireless inductive charging capability and possibly a recharging plug.
Superior fuel economy
The 2016 Toyota Prius is brining superior fuel economy to the table when its redesign is complete and is officially made available to the motoring retail market sometime in the latter part of this year.
With a groundbreaking 55 miles per gallon fuel efficiency rating, Toyota’ gas-electric vehicle will continue to build on its being an icon among hybrid vehicles when its 2016 edition officially rolls out.