Tired of stopping at the gas station to fill up your ride two or three times a week?
In 2007, Harvard Business Review published "A Road Map for Natural Capitalism" wherein authors Lovins, Lovins, and Hawkin used the automotive industry as an example of a sector that is ripe for technological change. They posit, "After a century of development, motorcar technology is showing signs of age. Only 1% of the energy consumed by today’s cars is actually used to move the driver: Only 15% to 20% of the power generated by burning gasoline reaches the wheels (the rest is lost in the engine and drivetrain) and 95% of the resulting propulsion moves the car, not the driver. The industry’s infrastructure is hugely expensive and inefficient"
Instead, Lovins, Lovins, and Hawkin proclaimed, let us move to an era of the "Hypercar." This car would integrate the best existing technologies to reduce consumption of fuel as much as 85% by making the vehicle out of advanced polymer composites and implementing an aerodynamic design to reduce air resistance. Add electrical controls to replace traditional hardware and a "hybrid-electric" drive and the streets would be filled with high-performance, pollution-free vehicles.
"Hypercars," the authors suggested, "will succeed for the same reason that people buy compact discs instead of phonograph records: The CD is a superior product that redefines market expectations."
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm delighted to announce the future is now. Hypercars have arrived!
You might be thinking I'm a little late to the game. Toyota inspired efficiency-enthusiasts in 2000 with its infamous jelly-bean of a hybrid vehicle (HV), the Prius, through the integration of best existing technologies. Tesla changed the game several years ago with the Model S, showing the potential of electric vehicles (EV) by producing a superior product that certainly redefined market expectations.
The problem was that there wasn't a "Hypercar" that was as available and accessible as the Prius with the superior, market-redefining features of the Telsa Model S.
That is...until now. Toyota just released its plugin hybrid electric vehicle 2.0: The Prius Prime.
I just picked up the 2017 Prius Prime and it has blown me away. This spacious, efficient vehicle provides an exceptionally smooth and enjoyable ride at a price point that is nearly impossible to beat. The Prime starts at $27,100 for the "Plus" model. The Prius Prime Premium and the Prius Prime Advanced are $28,800 and $33,100 respectively. Here in California, I'm looking at a $1,500 rebate from the state and a $4,502 tax credit from the Federal Government for stepping into the future. Those incentives come alongside a lucrative carpool lane sticker and $100 card for electric vehicle charging.
Perhaps the greatest benefit is all the time (and money) you will save by skipping the gas station. Prius Prime’s EPA-estimated 133 miles per gallon equivalent (MPGe) makes it the most fuel-efficient vehicle on the road today. The Prime's MPGe, which is a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed, is higher than vehicles of competitors: the Chevy Volt (106 MPGe) and EV pioneers like Telsa's Model S (89-100 MPGe). It also represents a substantial 26 percent enhancement over its predecessor, a result of greater battery capacity and an improved hybrid system. On one 11.3-gallon tank of regular-grade gasoline and a full electric charge, the 2017 Prius Prime has a class-leading estimated total driving range of over 640 miles.
If your commute, like the average American's, is less than 25 miles, then you are going to be doing most of your driving without using a drop of gas. To add, if you have a work situation like mine, you can charge your car at work so you have a full battery for any after-work driving. The 2017 Prius Prime can be plugged in at home to recharge its 8.8 kWh battery pack with no special equipment needed; just plug it into a standard household outlet (110/120V) and schedule a 5.5-hour charge throughout the night when energy costs are lowest. Charging takes less than half the time when using a 240V source (such as a public charging station or home-based installation).
And if the electric battery runs out? You are in luck! The Prius Prime is the best of all worlds! After the EV battery is used up the car will switch to the hybrid driving mode and still receive 55 MPG. Run out of gas? You are in luck! Plug the car into a wall outlet or a charging station listed on your onboard, Telsa-like tablet and you are back on the road. (Of course, I don't recommend running out of EV power or gasoline!) All joking aside, the Prime does a great job at introducing the benefits of Hybrid or EV technology to all consumers without creating a fear that you may be stranded on the highway somewhere.
If driving the most efficient car on the road isn't a seller, then perhaps you'd be delighted to know that the Prius Prime is one of the safest vehicles on the road today. The Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS), tested the Prime in five safety categories and it earned the highest Top Safety Pick Plus designation, while Tesla’s Model S and the BMW i3 fell short. What you may find most important is that all models of the Prime earned the Top safety Pick Plus rating; state of the art safety equipment is standard. As TorqueNews reports, "No need to check a box on the options list to get a top-rated front crash prevention system or decent headlights."
The Prime is definitely an upgrade from the traditional Prius, and it is so airy and futuristic you might feel like you are cruising around in your own little spaceship! The thin, quad-LED headlights illuminate your galactic journey while the 11.6-in HD multimedia tablet display and the customizable 4.2-in. color dual Multi-Information Display screens let you keep track of Prime’s vitals as you quietly cruise to your destination.
Standard heated front seats and Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging add to the long list of satisfying gadgetry. Though this is a four-seater, the luxurious feel of the car (and the legroom) provides for an extremely pleasing ride no matter what seat you are in. And, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats give you any extra space you may need. More perks can be found in the brochure.
I encourage you to take the car for a test drive at your local Toyota dealership. The Prius Prime is certainly a superior product that redefines market expectations of what a car can be. The "Hypercar" is now available and accessible. What are you waiting for?
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Photos courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales USA.
