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| 24th June 2004 | Home: Automotive & Design News: Technology: Toyota Prius - 5-star in Euro NCAP |
| Toyota Prius - 5-star in Euro NCAP
Toyota Prius gains 5 stars in the Euro NCAP vehicle crash impact performance tests.
Furthermore, Prius was awarded 43 points in the new Child Protection Rating, the highest score ever recorded. This was achieved thanks to the standard 3-anchor point CRS (Child Restraint System) ISOFIX system and Toyota's intelligent child seat design. Achievements * Hybrid car gets class-best 34 points and highest ever child protection score * Toyota Prius equals highest ever Euro NCAP score in segment * Child Protection Rating is a record 43 points and 4 stars * Prius is first ever hybrid to be tested by Euro NCAP * Smart engineering results in strong but lightweight structure * Huge amount of computer crash test simulations carried out * A further 125 actual crash tests confirm optimum passive safety * Prius is Toyota's third 5-star car, after Avensis and Corolla Verso * A top performer in both passive and active safety From a very early development stage, large number of computerised crash simulations were conducted to develop a bodyshell which offers the optimum balance between low weight and crash protection. This enabled the engineers to take the right direction in the development process since the start of the project. To achieve this all-important balance between weight and resistance, some 45% of the Prius body is constructed from High-Strength Steel. In addition, in a global car industry first, Ultra High-Strength Steel in key areas such as the B-pillar is combined with a hot-stamping manufacturing process, making this material 2.5 times stronger than conventional High-Strength Steel. To confirm the data from the crash test simulations, a programme of 125 real crash tests took place for Prius - substantially more than usually conducted in the development of a new model. 'Real world' safety issues such as child safety and collisions between two vehicles of differing weights and sizes were addressed during the development of the new Prius. Impacts between different size and weight vehicles constitute the most common type of accident in Europe, so Prius was crashed against the far larger Toyota Land Cruiser as part of the testing regime, both vehicles driving at 50 km/h. As a result, Prius occupants enjoy high levels of protection in real-life frontal, side and rear impacts. To cope with rear impacts, the body strength was increased and the seat back structure was reinforced. The Prius is also fitted with Toyota's WIL (Whiplash Injury Lessening) seat design that protects the passengers' necks from whiplash effects. WIL seats were recognised by ADAC, Germany's auto club, as the best among 10 different whiplash protection systems. Both the high-voltage electric circuit and the fuel tank enjoy maximum protection in an impact. The hybrid battery is mounted over the rear axle - the safest place in the event of a crash - and the Circuit Break Sensor instantly disconnects the High-Voltage Power Circuit in the event of a frontal impact, operating even before the airbags are fully deployed. The fuel tank uses a new lightweight plastic multiplex design with maximum impact resistance - even following a 50 km/h rear impact from an SUV the fuel tank suffers no leakage. In addition to its performance in passive safety, the Toyota Prius also intends to set an example in the area of active safety. For this reason, it is fitted as standard with features that are unique in the class: 'by-wire' Electronically Controlled Braking (ECB2), Electric Traction Control (E-TRC) and the advanced Vehicle Stability Control Plus (VSC+). The innovative 'by-wire' ECB2 braking system uses brake pedal-activated electronic sensors to create braking feel and control the braking hydraulics. It not only generates higher hydraulic pressures than conventional systems, but it is also 17% lighter. The Prius is the world's first car to be fitted with Electric Traction Control (E-TRC). The system controls wheel slippage via ECB2 and the high-torque electric motor element of the Hybrid Synergy Drive. E-TRC is so quick in counteracting the incipient skid that the driver often won't even be aware of an intervention, nor will he or she hear the tyre squealing that is often associated with wheel spin. Interconnected with ECB2 and E-TRC is Vehicle Stability Control Plus (VSC+) which is the world's most innovative stability control system. It works with the electric power steering system (EPS) to add steering torque assistance to the conventional stability control system, helping the driver get the most out of the car's performance potential by avoiding stability-threatening situations. |
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