The World's First Production Hybrid Gasoline/Electric Vehicle

Toyota presents

January 13, 2000

Toyota Prius Team Representatives discuss in an online interview, The World's First Production Hybrid Gasoline/Electric Vehicle: The Toyota Prius.

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Toyota: The Toyota Prius is the world's first production hybrid gasoline/electric vehicle and is coming to the U.S. this summer! Tonight, Toyota and Talk City are pleased to welcome you to chat with Prius Team representatives who will answer questions about design, engineering and marketing. Welcome to Erwin Lui, Prius Chief Styling Designer at Calty Design Center; Dave Hermance, Executive Engineer, Toyota Technical Center in Los Angeles; and Mark Amstock, Toyota Motor Sales Prius National Marketing Manager. And now without further ado, Welcome Prius Team!

Dave (Engineering): Glad to be here!

Erwin (Designer): Calty's Senior Chief Designer, glad to answer any questions about Prius's styling that you may have. We're all excited that you can join us on Talk City tonight so we can discuss the Prius, which will be coming to market this summer.

Cheesewiz: Will this hybrid technology become available in other body styles like SUVs?

Mark (Marketing): This past October, at the Tokyo Auto show, Toyota showed a van powered by the Toyota Hybrid System. This concept car is an example that the hybrid system can be carried out in other, larger, heavier platforms, like minivans or sport utility vehicles. So, if Prius is accepted in the marketplace, like we expect, it's feasible that the Toyota Hybrid System will be available in other body styles.

WillBForce: What was the inspiration for the Prius body style?

Erwin (Designer): The inspiration for the Prius body style was to have a ilhouette, which showed off the new, efficient package. By new, efficient package I mean a relatively large cabin, which holds five people, a relatively compact engine which allows for a short hood length, and a relatively short overall length. This silhouette creates a feeling of efficiency, and we think it hints of a new, modern sedan. Another one of the inspirations is what I call "active design lines". And if you look on the car, there are two distinct design lines, one that runs above the front wheel rearward, and the other distinct character line runs from the rear wheel forward. These two lines, I like to characterize as "active design signature character lines." The third element of the Prius styling is what I call it's tight, machine-like surface quality, which I feel has the feeling or quality of modern sculpture.

4X4: How does your hybrid compare with those from other automakers?

Dave (Engineering): The Toyota Hybrid System is different than the only other hybrid system, which has been introduced by Honda. Our system is a combination of a traditional series, and a traditional parallel, in one system. This gives us the advantage both of good fuel economy and low emissions, which we feel is necessary for future vehicles.

Kellie: What about the interior design? What was your goal?

Erwin (Designer): Again, the overall goal for the interior was comfort, and to have hints of the new technology. The first thing is the seating position, and what we call High H-Point Seating position. H-Point is a term we use in the automotive industry, it's a reference to the heights of your butt and feet to a measurement that's usually the ground, so in the case of the Prius with a high H-Point, there's an ease of entry and egress. Another advantage of the high H-Point is that it allows more leg room, between front and rear passengers, better visibility, especially in a world filled with tall SUV’s and minivans. Those are the creature comforts things. From the interior design, there's a very unique, high mounted, centrally located instrument panel (gauge panel). The advantage of this is the distance your eye has to travel to look at the gauge, it's shorter than the conventional looking downwards to something that's located behind the wheel. Those are some of the key points. It also has a modern spacious feeling for a relatively small sized car.

Charming Girl: Since gasoline is so cheap here in the U.S., why should we consider buying a Prius?

Mark (Marketing): There are many reasons to consider a Prius besides high efficiency. Certainly to some people, less frequent visits to the gas station will be very appealing. The Prius also represents very clean emissions, being about 90 percent cleaner than most other cars on the road, so Prius will appeal to those customers that want to purchase a car that has less impact on the environment. Additionally, because the engine is off a good portion of the time, and that it never exceeds a very high RPM, it is extremely quiet, and with it's long wheelbase, and extra weight, provides a very firm and stable ride. It's perhaps the most refined small car ever built.

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