The upcoming 2016 Prius will encounter great competition from a couple of other hybrid vehicles including Ford C-Max Hybrid, Lexus CT200h and the all-new Chevrolet Volt.
Toyota recently announced its fourth-generation Prius, which will make its first appearance in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 8. The 2016 hybrid is expected to arrive with a new shape for the first time in seven years. However, the automaker did not declare when the production of the vehicle is scheduled to commence.
There have been a number of alleged images of the 2016 Prius in the past, showing its new LED headlights, fastback shape, and an overall sharper look. The blurry spy snaps does prove the vehicle to have an extended shape compared to the previous model. In addition, the latest Prius has also been modified from the inside with a large infotainment system, three-spoke steering wheel, and a dashboard displaying live vehicle data and a transmission indicator.
The previous generation Prius did pretty well, and was one of the best-selling hybrids around the world. However, the huge rise in competition for electric vehicles has put Toyota in a somewhat challenging position. It is expected that the 2016 Prius will roll out in a hybrid-only version, offering an all-electric range of above 25 miles, thanks to its upgraded battery pack. Additionally, Toyota plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant of the 2016 Prius in the near future as well.
The automaker has fitted the new Prius with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing an output of 148 horsepower, which is automated to kick in when extra power is required. Otherwise, it’s one and only electric motor fitted on its front axle allows the vehicle to run for 25 miles and above on electric power throughout. The latest hybrid also offers an impressive 57.5 miles per gallon combined.
According to speculations, Toyota has planned other variants of the 2016 Prius, including a lithium-ion and the other having a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. However, Toyota does plan to offer an all-wheel drive variant for an increased price.
Toyota observed a significant fall in Prius sales during the first half of 2015, compared to the quarter last year. Despite declining sales, the Prius covers 82% of the total sales in the hybrid market this year, as per the Kelly Blue Book. The automaker has delivered 108,073 units of the Prius in the US alone, which includes the larger Prius V and the small hybrid model, Prius C.
The upcoming 2016 Prius will encounter great competition from a couple of other hybrid vehicles including the Ford C-Max Hybrid, the Lexus CT200h and the all-new Chevrolet Volt. Other pure electric vehicles like Nissan Leaf, Chevrolet Bolt, and BMW i3 are also expected to be one of the most prominent rivals of the latest Prius. Only time will tell how the fourth-generation Prius will perform against the fleet of above mentioned plug-in, and hybrid vehicles.
The latest Prius will soon be revealed in front of the international global media, and only after that will we be able to know whether the 2016 Prius can take the lead again. What’s most important is that the automaker has chosen a pretty crucial time for the launch, with overall declining hybrid sales around the globe. The giant automaker does well at handling such challenging situations, and it may be the only one that could put a new trend to hybrid sales.
By: Victor Perera
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