Leaked Technical Details Suggest e-AWD Option for 2016 Toyota Prius

Toyota has already debuted the 2016 Prius at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and while we know a bit about it, we don’t know everything. That’s why we here at DCH Toyota of Oxnard were excited when we heard the latest news about this new hybrid. Although it’s not been officially announced, a leaked staff manual apparently shows that higher-level Prius models will be available with an electric all-wheel drive (e-AWD).

Typically, e-AWD models have an extra electric motor on whatever axle doesn’t already have one, augmenting the vehicle’s power. We know that the 2016 Prius has a hybrid setup on its front axle, so that extra electric engine would go to the back, adding a little bit of lightning to the rear end of the vehicle. Though this does have a mild impact on fuel efficiency, it makes up for it in power, which Prius drivers will undoubtedly be happy about.

A minor trade-off in fuel efficiency for power shouldn’t worry Toyota drivers, however, as the 2016 Prius is expected to have around 55 combined mpg in the US, and the brand has said that it plans to bring out a Prius Eco model as well—one with even better fuel efficiency. According to the leaked staff manual, the new Prius model’s combustion engine will be a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle unit, which Toyota has said is capable of greater than 40% thermal efficiency in peak conditions.

Though Toyota hasn’t made any official announcements about the e-AWD option for the 2016 Prius, be sure to contact us today for more information about our current Prius models, not to mention the rest of our Toyota lineup.

Image: Toyota