If Toyota NS4 is the car of future, the Prius C – also unveiled at Detroit Motor Show today – is for today.
Introducing the Prius concept to the city hatchback segment, the C will be one of the most fuel efficient cars – 53 mpg – with an under $20K base price in America.
It will also be one of the most affordable hybrids in the market. And it’s not like they’ve skimped on equipments to make it cheap. It comes with a standard 3.5-in. full color TFT multi-information display, hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune, as well as automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, Multi-Information Display and Bluetooth hands-free controls, and remote keyless entry.
The car has a 1.5-liter in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with electric motors for a total output of 99-hp. Toyota Prius c offers three distinct drive modes: Normal, Eco, and EV mode. Eco mode reduces overall energy consumption by governing climate control and throttle to improve vehicle efficiency.
As for safety, Prius C comes with standard Star Safety System, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop Technology (SST).