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When the Toyota Prius launched its current iteration in 2004, it looked like a futuristic vehicle and stood out in a crowd. Back in 1997, Toyota introduced the original Prius, which was the first ever mass-produced hybrid-electric vehicle.

The car’s name is a Latin word means “to go before” - in this case denoting a car that was the first in what the forward thinkers at Toyota thought would eventually become the norm. Twelve years later, Toyota is rolling out its third-generation Prius, redesigned for the 2010 model year.

The new Prius features a more aerodynamic shape, larger 1.8 liter petrol engine with optional roof-mounted solar panels and intelligent park assist. The aerodynamic design of the new 2010 Prius was an important factor. The goal was to create a wedge shape with steeply raked windscreen and square rear end corners to reduce aerodynamic drag.

The overall height of the Prius is the same, but moving the top of the roof 3.9 inches to the rear alters the roof profile. This also allows for enhanced rear headroom and improved aerodynamics.

The new Prius received more hours of wind tunnel testing than any other Toyota in history, resulting in the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any mass-produced vehicle in the world. By focusing on the shape of the body, underfloor, wheelhouse liner and shape of the wheels, the designers of the new Prius were able to reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25, compared to 0.26 for the previous model.

The airflow under the car was studied extensively. Engineers made changes to the shape of the fender liner, front surface of the underfloor, and added a fin at the rear floor cover to increase linear stability.

Toyota has used an electric water pump for the first time that increases engine’s efficiency by removing auxiliary loads from the engine’s crankshaft. These loads, such as the power steering and the air conditioning compressor, are powered directly from the 500v battery at achieve much higher energy efficiency.

The remote air-conditioning system is the first system in the world to function on battery-power alone and that can be remotely operated, so the driver can adjust the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car.

Reducing the vehicle's power consumption, potional LED (light emitting diode) lamps are used for low beams and also in the tail and stop lamps. Air conditioning, a major energy drain, has been re-engineered to increase efficiency and cool-down performance.

In addition, an exhaust heat recirculation system reduces heat waste by warming engine coolant during cold startup, for improved performance. It also heats up the passenger cabin more efficiently.

This gas/electric hybrid car is a five-passenger, 4-door hatchback that teams a 4-cylinder engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 110 hp. Toyota's hybrid system allows Prius to run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is required.

Prius has a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), electronic traction control (TRAC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) are included with Toyota's standard Star Safety System.

Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system, using advanced millimeter wave radar, is an available option. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable.

Next-generation Intelligent Parking Assist features simplified settings to help guide the car into parking spaces. A back-up monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.

Video/Promo of New 2010 Toyota Prius:

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