Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric, Quick Spin

It’s been two-and-a-half years since we last got behind the wheel of a plug-in Toyota Prius. The name is the same, but today’s plug-in Prius is a totally different vehicle, and it was high time to see what changes Toyota has made to their plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in its ongoing effort to slowly get the car ready for the U.S. market.

Back in late 2007, the prototype had a NiMH battery pack and the converted vehicle was based on the second-generation model. The new fleet of PHEV Priuses in San Diego this week as part of Toyota’s Sustainable Mobility Seminar are converted 2010 third-generation models, featuring upgraded lithium-ion packs.

Toyota has brought the PHEV Prius fleet to the U.S. to begin a two-year test and monitoring period. The vehicles are equipped with transmitters from Qualcomm that record not only driver behavior, but also how often the car is plugged in. We’ll have more information soon with technical details about the mules and an explanation of Toyota’s plans to test and sell the long-awaited plug-in hatchback for 2012. But before then, we wanted to grab some seat time.

The short version is that driving a plug-in Prius is almost exactly like driving a standard one, except that it remains quieter for a longer period as the engine is off more often (during short distances) thanks to a larger battery pack and improved all-electric performance. Acceleration, handling, braking – everything feels awfully familiar. Make the jump to find out more, including how you can now go up to 64 mph without using a single drop of fuel.

Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius prototype is just like your mother’s Toyota hybrid, but better

Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius prototype is just like your mother’s Toyota hybrid, but better originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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