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Click here for the Toyota media homepage
www.toyotagb-press.co.uk
8 June 2009
NEW PRIUS: COOLED BY THE HEAT OF THE SUN
New solar powered ventilation and Remote Air Conditioning
KEY POINTS
Climbing into a car that’s been parked for a while on even a moderately sunny day can be an uncomfortable experience and is likely to provoke full-blast operation of the air conditioning, using up fuel and increasing emissions. Toyota has solved the problem with a new solar-powered ventilation system that keeps the interior cool, with no need for the engine to be running. And to make sure the temperature is just right before you get inside, it has produced the world’s first Remote Air Conditioning control, operated using the car’s key fob.
The two innovations form a Solar Pack that is available as an option on T Spirit versions of new Prius.
Solar panels, neatly integrated into a sliding sunroof, power the electric air circulation fan. Running independently from the engine, it can cool cabin temperature down from 80 to 45°C, so there is less need for the air conditioning to be used to achieve a comfortable level when you return to the vehicle.
The system can be activated as the driver leaves the car. One minute after the ignition is turned off, the air intake mode switches to “Outside Air Ventilation” and the blower mode switches to “Face” to ensure the most efficient performance. To avoid cabin air that has already been cooled being vented straight away, the system starts operating after 10 minutes, continuing until it is switched off, or the ignition is turned on.
Toyota’s Remote Air Conditioning is a world-first. Thanks to the power available from Prius’s large capacity hybrid battery, it can run for up to three minutes before the car is occupied (such a system could not be supported by a conventional 12V car battery). It is activated by pressing the A/C button on the key fob for one second.
New Prius is on sale from 1 August, priced from £18,370 on the road. The Solar Pack option costs £1,450, including VAT.
Keep up-to-date with the latest new Prius, news, views, images, videos and more on Today/Tomorrow, the official Toyota blog, at blog.toyota.co.uk.
ENDS
Note to editors: T Spirit models equipped with the Solar Pack are fitted with 15-inch wheels in place of the usual 17-inch rims.
This and further Toyota information and pictures can be downloaded from the Toyota media website on:
http://www.toyotagb-press.co.uk or through www.newspress.co.uk
For further information contact one of the following:
Richard Seymour on 01737 367272 or by e-mail at richard.seymour@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Michael Valvo on 01737 367264 or by e-mail at michael.valvo@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Erica Haddon on 01737 367308 or by e-mail at erica.haddon@tgb.toyota.co.uk
David Crouch on 01737 367307 or by e-mail at david.crouch@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Scott Brownlee on 01737 367266 or by e-mail at scott.brownlee@tgb.toyota.co.uk
Ref: 090608N
57858/080609
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