Adventures In Babysitting (2016): cars driven by Jenny and Lola
The third generation Toyota Prius driven by Jenny debuted as a compact liftback manufactured and marketed by Toyota, having launched in 2009 for model year 2010 at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show. Internally designated as model XW30 and replacing the XW20 series, sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. Noted for its more aerodynamic bodywork and a claimed drag coefficient of Cd=0.25, an underbody rear fin helps stabilize the vehicle at higher speeds. The third generation is also noted as the first production engine without efficiency-robbing accessory drive belts. Since its launch in 2009, global production reached approximately 1,688,000. It was succeeded by the fourth generation Prius XW50 which began production since November 2015. For a complete overview of all Prius models, see Toyota Prius.
- Developement
The powertrain concept largely carried over from the previous XW20 generation, with engine displacement increasing to 1.8 litres and the transaxle changing to the THS III. Disc brakes replaced the North American model's rear drum brakes.
For the Prius, Toyota used a range of plant-derived ecological bioplastics using wood- or grass-derived cellulose. The two principal crops are kenaf (a member of the hibiscus family and related to cotton and okra) and ramie, commonly known as China grass and one of the strongest natural fibres, similar to flax in absorbency and density. The use of plant-based eco-plastics coincided the United Nations' 2009 International Year of Natural Fibres.
In August 2010, Toyota began sales of an onboard sound device to mimic the sound of an electric motor when the Prius is operating in its most quiet mode, as an electric vehicle at speeds up to approximately 25 kilometres per hour (16 mph). The device became available in Japan for retrofitting on the third-generation Prius at a price of ¥12,600 (~US$150) including the consumption tax. The alert rises and falls in pitch according to the vehicle's speed, to convey the vehicle's proximity and movement to nearby pedestrians. The device met the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism issued in January 2010 for hybrid and other near-silent vehicles.
Toyota said it filed 1000 patents during the development of the XW30 Prius.
- Powertrain
The 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine (previously 1.5 liters) generates 73 kW; 99 PS (98 hp), and with the added power of the electric motor 20 kW; 27 PS (27 hp), total horsepower is 100 kW (134 hp) (previously 110 hp). The larger engine displacement allows for increased torque, reducing engine speeds (rpm), which increases fuel economy at highway speeds. With an electric water pump, the Prius engine is the first production engine that requires no accessory belts, which also further improves fuel economy. The electric motors and other components of the hybrid powertrain are also smaller and more efficient. Toyota estimates the new inverter, motor and transaxle are 20 percent lighter. It has a 1.3 kWh nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.
- 2011 facelift
In 2011 (for the 2012 model year), the third-generation Prius Liftback received modest style and equipment changes. The exterior changes included updated headlamps, revised tail lamps, and revised front fascia and bumper. The Prius could be equipped with an updated infotainment system featuring the optional Toyota Entune suite of connectivity features. Other updates included a 6.1-inch touch-screen, AM/FM CD player unit, a USB port for iPod connectivity, auxiliary input jack, Bluetooth hands-free phone capability and streaming audio.
For the U.S. market, only the Prius Two, Three, Four and Five trim levels were offered. The Prius Two gained new 15-inch wheel covers and standard LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The Prius Three added a standard three-door Smart Key entry system, and the Prius Four featured standard auto on/off headlamps. The Prius Four also provided enhanced comfort with new SofTex-trimmed seats and an eight-way power adjustable driver's seat. The premium Prius Five model's Advanced Technology Package included the Premium HDD Navigation System, and the Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System and Lane Keep Assist. The Pre-Collision System retracted the front seatbelts and applied brakes in certain conditions when it determined that a crash was unavoidable. Lane Keep Assist could help the driver stay within the lane.
The U.S. 2012 model year included Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), alerting others to the vehicle's presence, to overcome the otherwise easily overlooked low powertrain noise of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speed in all-electric mode. This type of warning device was mandated by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The warning sound was generated by externally mounted speakers and it activated automatically only at speeds below about 24 km/h (15 mph).
- Market and production (U.S. only)
In the U.S. market, trim levels Prius Two, Three, Four and Five were offered. Among the new standard features of the 2010 Prius, Toyota introduced three optional user-selectable driving modes: EV mode for electric-only low-speed operation, Eco mode for best fuel efficiency, and Power mode for better performance. The premium Prius Five model's Advanced Technology Package included the Premium HDD Navigation System, Head-up Display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System and Lane Keep Assist. The Pre-Collision System retracted the front seatbelts and applied the brakes in certain conditions when it determines that a crash is imminent. Lane Keep Assist helped the driver stay within the lane. The US 2012 model year included Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), which emitted an artificial engine noise to alert others to the vehicle's presence and overcome the otherwise easily-overlooked low powertrain noise of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speed in all-electric mode.
Standard equipment included 15-inch alloy wheels, Vehicle Stability Control, cruise control, 6-speaker audio, keyless entry/ignition Smart Key System and a display, marketed as Touch Tracer Display, to help the driver's eyes stay on the road when using the steering-wheel-mounted climate and audio controls. Option packages included:
• Navigation Package: a voice-activated touch-screen DVD-based navigation system, 8-speaker JBL audio system with XM satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, Bluetooth and backup camera.
• Solar Roof Package: includes Navigation Package equipment as well as power tilt/slide moonroof along with a solar powered ventilation system that uses an electric fan to help keep the vehicle cooler when parked under the sun by venting the interior's heated air with the outdoors. The solar roof was originally intended to assist in charging the vehicle's battery, but the system was configured to only power ventilation when it was found that the battery-charging configuration created electromagnetic interference that affected the radio. A new remote air-conditioning feature allows the driver to activate the air conditioner prior to entering the vehicle.
• Advanced Technology Package: includes the Navigation Package while adding a Pre-Collision System, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist and Intelligent Parking Assist.
• Plus Performance Package: announced in June 2011. This package includes a seven-piece body kit, 17-inch alloy wheels, special badging, and rear anti-sway bar. The car was also lowered by 28 mm (1.1 in) at the front and 33 mm (1.3 in) at the rear.
Other options include Safety Connect, while LED headlamps come standard on the Prius V trim. (note that Jenny's Prius took Advanced Technology Package option on her Prius Five)
In the U.S., the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tested the XW30 based on the revised 2007 testing procedures, resulting in the following scores: 51 mpg‑US (4.6 L/100 km; 61 mpg‑imp) city driving, 48 mpg‑US (4.9 L/100 km; 58 mpg‑imp) highway driving, 50 mpg‑US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg‑imp) combined. The Prius XW30 was the most efficient car powered purely by liquid fuel available in the U.S., based on the official rating. Only the discontinued first-generation Honda Insight attained higher fuel efficiency: 62 mpg‑US (3.8 L/100 km; 74 mpg‑imp) (for manual/no air conditioner option).
In the U.S., the EPA measures a vehicle's air-borne pollution based on hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulate matter and formaldehyde before assigning them a score. In most states, the XW30 Prius is rated Tier II Bin 3.
In 2009, Toyota Prius experienced two consecutive year over year sales decrease to 139,682 units in the U.S., from 181,221 units in 2007.
Introduced in 1996 as a 1997 model, the second-generation Wrangler reintroduced the round headlamps from the classic Jeep models. The main engine was the AMC 242 4.0 L inline 6. From the Wrangler TJ onwards, all Wranglers were fitted with coil-spring instead of leaf-spring suspension, the automatic shifter was relocated to the floor. In 2004, a long-wheelbase "Unlimited" model was introduced. Furthermore, starting in 2006, Israeli Automotive Industries Ltd. produced the first five-door Jeep Wrangler derivative, built under license from Chrysler, for the Israel Defense Forces, based on a 2,931 mm (115.4 in) wheelbase Wrangler (TJ). On Adventures In Babysitting, Perez drove her 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon with automatic transmission.
This article is originally posted on July 3rd, 2017, to coincide the original film's 30th anniversary and the remake film's 1st anniversary.
