Toyota

Toyota Prius generations and chassis codes

Overview

The name means going before or ahead of in Latin. It went on sale as the world's first mass-produced car with a hybrid system, and its launch slogan was nijusseiki ni maniaimashita, just in time for the 21st century. While keeping driving performance equal to existing gasoline cars, it achieved about twice the fuel economy and halved CO2 emissions. The second generation changed the body style from a four-door sedan to a five-door hatchback, and the third enlarged the engine to 1.8 liters to improve fuel economy at high speed.

Translated from Japanese sources. Sources: www.toyota.co.jp / www.toyota.co.jp (2) / www.toyota.co.jp (3)