The 3rd generation Toyota Prius that was unveiled in the Detroit Auto Show has a 50 MPG mileage rating and a whopping 1,000 patents attached to it. The previous version of the hybrid had a 46 MPG mileage rating and only 670 patents filed for its design.
The earlier reported solar paneled moon roof is for the ventilation system of the car. It will circulate air around the interior, so as to lower its temperature, so that its airconditioning won’t work as hard.
The car also comes with a 1.8 liter engine.
No price tag yet was given but it will be available at the dealers of Japan and the United states come late spring.
Update: According to MIT Review, the 2010 Prius has an option to accept a plug-in battery. This way the battery can be recharged not only by the engine but by an external source. The current battery is a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH), but can be swapped with a plug-in type lithium-ion battery. The drawback is that it could mean a reduced operational range.
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Category: Automotive, Hybrids
