This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

New Generation Prius to Strive Past Already Impressive MPG!

The Toyota Prius is a great car with tremendous value given its fuel efficiency. And, Toyota has plans to make the next generation Prius even better!

Recently, Bob Carter, Toyota’s senior vice president of sales, challenged the industry to put the pedal to the metal on the commitment to hybrids as a core technology. “I would like to see us—as an industry—accomplish  … 5 million hybrids, cumulatively, in the U.S. by close of business 2016.  That results in 3 billion gallons of gasoline saved, which is more than enough gas for the entire population of the United States to drive from San Francisco to Los Angeles in a Prius. It’s do-able. And I think we will do it,” he said.

Toyota noted, too, it is striving to ensure that the next generation Prius will have an even better hybrid powertrain. “Between now and the end of 2015, Toyota plans to introduce 15 new or redesigned hybrid vehicles globally,” a recent press release stated. What’s the practical impact of this development? Well, the new hybrid powertrain will mean improved fuel economy with a more compact package that’s lighter and lower in cost. Plus, Toyota’s got its eye on further improving its battery, gas, and electric motor technologies, too.

Currently, with each of the three generations of Prius fuel economy has been improved by about 10 percent. Going forward, the plan is to beat this already stellar record. In addition to offering better fuel economy, the Toyota Prius will likely have higher energy density, which could help further electrify the vehicle. In addition to ramping up research and development of nickel hydribe and lithium-ion batteries, the company is developing new technologies involving solid state and lithium air.

With a smaller motor and a supped up battery, Westboro Toyota predicts that the next generation Prius will increase the thermal efficiency of the gasoline engine, too—currently the Prius is at 38.5 percent in that department; going forward we’ll likely see a level of more than 40 percent!

In addition, the next generation Prius will use “Toyota New Global Architecture,” which features a lower center of gravity to improve driving dynamics. These aerodynamics will lead to an all-new exterior design, too. And, the interior will likely get a facelift, as well, with a roomier cabin. Bonus!!

We can’t wait for the day when the next generation Prius hits our showroom floor. In the meantime, we’ve got plenty of gas-sipping all-new 2013 Toyota Priuses in stock. Choose from Prius and Pruis Plug In models.

Plus, our Nationwide Clearance Event is still going strong through Sept. 3, 2013. We’ve got leases on new Toyotas starting at $79/month, with $0 Maintenance, 0.0% financing up to 60 months with approved credit on new 2013 Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, Prius Plug In, Sienna, Venza and Tundra. And, you can save up to $4,257 off the MSRP on new Toyota purchases (new vehicles start at just $18,157)!

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?