Prius Wins International Engine Of The Year 2004

May 26, 2004

Prius hybrid system wins International Engine of the Year 2004

Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain gains 4 different awards

International Engine of the Year 2004

Best New Engine

Best Fuel Economy

Best Engine 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre

The new Toyota Prius' hybrid system has had outstanding success in the International Engine of the Year Awards 2004. This hybrid powertrain has won 3 different categories and the overall International Engine of the Year 2004 title, meaning it has scooped more trophies in one year than any other powerplant in Awards' history.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive system first scored a victory in its engine size category. Then, the Toyota Prius outstanding fuel consumption (4.3 l/100 km EC mode, combined) ensured a secure first place in the "Best Fuel Economy" category. In addition, the Prius unit was considered the best engine available in the market over the past 12 months (June 2003 until May 2004).

Prius fought then with the winners of the 8 other categories for the main award - the International Engine of the Year 2004 - and won, beating second place by a large margin. Furthermore, Toyota Prius achieved the highest score ever in this competition: 380 points.

The main award will be handed today to Dr. Takehisa Yaegashi, Senior General Manager of Toyota Motor Corporation's Powertrain Development Group, at Engine Expo 2004, held in the Messe Stuttgart, in Germany.

"These important awards are yet another recognition of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. They represent to us a huge encouragement to proceed with the development of even more fuel-efficient and eco-friendly powertrains.", said Dr. Yaegashi.

The hybrid system of the new Toyota Prius is the first to be developed under the Hybrid Synergy Drive philosophy, which is based on a homogeneous balance between environmental performance and driving pleasure.

About the awards

The International Engine of the Year awards have been held since 1999 and their aim is to recognise the best engines available on the market anywhere in the world. Every engine in mass-production installed in a production car on sale in more than one country as at the 26th of May 2004 is eligible for the voting.

The jury is composed of a panel of 56 renowned journalists from 24 countries around the globe, covering 5 different continents.

Besides the International Engine of the Year Award, 11 other categories were created to specifically distinguish engines by size, fuel economy and performance. In addition, the best engine launched in the current year is also recognised.

The new Toyota Prius so far

After being introduced firstly in Japan and then in the US during 2003, Prius is having a phased launch programme across Europe.

During the first four months of 2004, Toyota has sold more than 37,000 Prius worldwide. European sales in the same period totalled more than 2,500 units, a very positive figure when compared with the initial sales target of 5,000 units per year.

Since its launch, the new Toyota Prius has already captured several important awards:

- 2004 North American Car of the Year (US and Canada)

- Motor Trend 2004 Car of the Year (award from one of the most renowned US car magazines)

- Best Engineered Vehicle 2004, from SAE's Automotive Engineering International (USA)

- Family Car of the Year 2004, from Top Gear (UK)

- Best Car Gasoline Category, ADEME CO2 index (France)

- Eco Car of the Year, from Fleet Excellence Awards (UK)

- Winner of the 2004 ADAC EcoTest, lowest emissions (Germany)

- Number 1 in the ÖKO-TREND Auto-Umwelt-Rankings (German environmental index)

- Most Eco-friendly Car, EcoMobiListe (Switzerland)