Prius I, the ancestor of the hybrid drive – Taxis & rental cars Taxi topics (general), hybrid, alternative drives (general) | Specialist article | Taxi Today – the independent and nationwide taxi magazine

The introduction of the Toyota Prius in 1997 marked a turning point in automotive history. The Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to come onto the market in Japan. He relied on a combination of combustion engine and electric motor – at the time a technical innovation that Toyota Emissions specifically developed to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. The decision to mass-produce a hybrid drive represented an experiment for both Toyota and the entire industry, the success of which was by no means guaranteed at the time.

Conventional design – innovative heart

The heart of the Prius was the so-called “Toyota Hybrid System” (THS), which was later developed into the Toyota Hybrid System II and served as the basis for later hybrid models. The Prius uses a 1.5-liter gasoline engine, supplemented by an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery. The system allowed the Prius to operate purely electrically at low speeds, such as when starting off or in city traffic, while the combustion engine switched on at higher speeds. The aim was to optimize efficiency in everyday driving and minimize fuel consumption – with an average consumption of 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers at the time, this was achieved remarkably well.

The exterior design of the Prius was rather conventional, which was also a strategic decision by Toyota at the time. The design should be based on average taste and not scare away potential buyers with a futuristic or flashy appearance. Nevertheless, the Prius received good aerodynamics and a striking, shortened rear section, which also supported the sedan’s efficiency.

Test drive in the gray plush interior

I’m thrilled that the hybrid technology of the first Prius still works perfectly. The gasoline engine of the first generation Prius mobilizes 43 kW (58 hp), supported by a 30 kW (40 hp) electric motor. The small Toyota hybrid weighs 1,260 kilograms, but it is surprisingly comfortable and agile to move.

At low speeds, locomotion is carried out exclusively by the electric drive, so that the vehicle can be moved almost silently and without exhaust emissions. If necessary, the combustion engine switches on smoothly. The Prius is said to have achieved consumption values ​​of just 5.1 liters/100 kilometers. The Toyota we drive is 27 years old, the interior is “plush” and the screens are very “pixelated”.

The response to the Prius was initially mixed. While the vehicle met with approval from environmental activists and tech-savvy buyers, many skeptics, particularly from the automotive industry, were skeptical. Critics complain about the relatively high purchase costs and the long-term reliability of the battery. However, Toyota addresses these doubts with comprehensive guarantees and a clear communication strategy. The Prius was deliberately positioned as a contribution to environmental protection, and Toyota repeatedly emphasized that the company would rely on hybrid drives in the long term.

Modern hybrid technology in SUV clothing

With the launch of the first RAV4 in 1994, Toyota helped create the compact SUV segment, which continued to grow in popularity. The latest hybrid variant of the RAV4 combines the proven hybrid drive with the requirements of modern SUV customers and proves to be an attractive model for private and commercial use, including use as a taxi.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is available in several powertrain configurations. The combination of a 2.5 liter petrol engine and an electric motor ensures a total output of up to 222 hp in the all-wheel drive version. Even in the front-wheel drive version, the hybrid drive shows impressive efficiency values ​​and scores with an average consumption of around 5.6 liters per 100 kilometers.

In terms of design, the current RAV4 Hybrid is based on a robust and striking SUV look, which is characterized by sharp lines and a muscular profile. The interior offers plenty of space for the driver and passengers and is functional and comfortable.

A clear instrument panel and an intuitive infotainment system support the driver in daily use. The generous amount of space for the backbenchers and the high loading volume make the RAV4 particularly interesting for taxi rides.

RAV4 replaces Prius + in the taxi market

Lots of space and a modern interior greet us as we take a seat in the current RAV4. The contrast between the small Prius and the comparatively powerful Toyota SUV could hardly be greater. The hybrid heart of the SUV is of course significantly stronger. The all-wheel drive variant of the RAV4 couples a 2.5-liter gasoline engine with 131 kW (178 hp) and an electric motor with 88 kW (120 hp).

Our test all-wheel drive vehicle was of course much sportier and tighter than its little ancestor, the Prius I. What they have in common, however, is the hybrid heart with the combustion engine, battery and electric motor(s) and the continuously variable transmission. In the RAV4, you sit high up, as is typical for SUVs, and therefore look down on vehicles like the Prius I. The advantage of the hybrid drive is particularly evident in cities and metropolitan areas, as it works particularly economically in urban stop-and-go traffic thanks to the regenerative use of braking force (recuperation). The standard Safety Sense package includes, among other things, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and pedestrian detection.

Hybrid technology can convince the taxi industry

Due to their reliability and comparatively low operating costs, hybrid vehicles have been of interest to taxi companies that value efficiency and sustainability for many years. Hybrid pioneer Toyota has shown “perseverance” in developing the technology. The Prius I first came onto the market in Japan. But the Prius also became a sales success outside of Japan, first in North America and then in Europe. He not only became a pioneer of hybrid technology, but also a symbol of new, environmentally conscious thinking in the automotive sector. The first generation of the Prius laid the foundation for a wide range of hybrids, which Toyota steadily expanded and developed over the years.tk