The latest generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), Toyota's gas/electric hybrid powertrain technology, has reached a new height of

The latest generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), Toyota's gas/electric hybrid powertrain technology, has reached a new height of excellence. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

excellence. It just keeps getting better and better. For instance, the combination of the gasoline engine and electric motor produces enough power to give the Prius a 0 to 100 km/h time of about 10 seconds. Fuel economy is extremely good, with ratings of 4.0 L/100km in the city and 4.2 L/100km on the highway. The Prius' decent acceleration and exceptional fuel ratings are only a couple of examples of the Hybrid Synergy Drive's innovative technological advances. Since the last generation, HSD is even more efficient with regards to emissions, reducing them by an additional 30 percent.

The regenerative braking system also enhances the emissions rating by taking the

Since the last generation, HSD is even more efficient with regards to emissions. (Photo: Toyota Canada)

kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes, and transforming it to useable electricity to recharge the battery. Powering the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) is, as mentioned, a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The engine is a 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC Atkinson Cycle gasoline unit producing 76 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 82 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Like all other Toyotas, it includes Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) which optimizes power delivery across the engine speed range. The electronic continuously variable transmission, integrated into the HSD system, does not have fixed gear ratios but instead provides infinitely variable ratios in response to driving conditions and throttle position.