Toyota has unveiled the Model Year 2021 Special Anniversary Edition Prius that marks the car’s 20th Anniversary in the North American market. The 2021 Toyota Prius will make its debut in the US on 18th May 2020 and the brand will make 2,020 examples of the car offered in Supersonic Red or the new Wind Chill Pearl. The original Prius went into production in 1997 in the Japanese market and was introduced to the North American market in 2001. In two decades Toyota sold more than 6 million Prius worldwide with 1.9 million units sold in the US alone. The Toyota Prius has since then been a synonym to hybrid technology across the globe.
The 2020 Anniversary Edition features will be offered in the well-equipped XLE FWD trim with black exterior trim and body colour integrated spoiler. On the exterior, the 2020 Limited Edition gets distinguishing livery but unmistakable Prius silhouette that features Bi-LED headlamps on the front, automatic grille shutter that improves aerodynamic efficiency while providing optimum cooling to the powertrain, 17-inch black-finish alloy wheels with aero elements, black ORVM housing, black inserts on the headlamps and B-pillars.
The limited-edition Prius also comes with unique features such as a “2020” insignia key glove/fob, black shift knob, interior A-pillar trim, smoked HVAC vents and floor mats. The Prius also comes with LED combination tail lamps and the signature full-width glass panel under the rear spoiler.
On the interiors, the Prius features, Softex trimmed 8-way power driver’s seat, Softex trim steering wheel, push-button start, remote illuminated entry, Qi wireless phone charging tray, 7-inch touchscreen display with AM/FM CD player, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto & Amazon Alexa integration, Bluetooth and voice recognition etc. The hybrid car also features 4.2-inch colour Dual Multi-Information Display with customizable screens and a built-in navigation system.
Powering the Toyota Prius is the Toyota Hybrid System II, 1.8-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle petrol engine with two motor generators matched to a planetary type CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and an advanced Power Control Unit. The internal combustion engine features low-friction components with efficient combustion which exceeds 40% thermal efficiency coupled with a silent HVAC system with Smart Flow (S-Flow) that direct air directly on the seated occupants to conserve energy.
In terms of safety, the Model Year 2021 Prius features next-generation TSS 2.0 (Toyota Safety Sense) which includes – Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection & automatic braking capability, Bicyclist Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Road Sign Assist and Automatic High Beams.
Toyota will introduce two all-new hybrids during the Toyota 2020 New Product Showcase on 18th May 2020. The Toyota Prius is no longer available in the Indian market. The quirky design and unrealistic price tag made sure that the Prius remains a rare sight on Indian streets.