Conicelli Toyota of Springfield
860 Baltimore Pike Springfield, PA 19064Sales: 484-479-2410
- Service: 610 690-6000
New 2010 Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius remains the most fuel-efficient and space-efficient hybrid on the market
with unmatched fuel economy, space-efficient interior, quiet and comfortable ride, The Toyota Prius remains the most fuel-efficient and space-efficient hybrid on the market
available high-tech luxury goodies.
What's New for 2010
The 2010 Toyota Prius has been fully redesigned. Key improvements for this third-generation
model include more power, better fuel economy, enhanced steering feel, more conventional
interior controls and sleeker styling.
The last Toyota Prius flipped the automotive world on its head, changing the purchasing
priorities of American car buyers seemingly overnight. Attracted to its sky-high fuel
economy, practical body style and green image, consumers came to the Prius for many new car
searches (regardless of their actual motoring needs). What was once an automotive oddity
relegated to hemp-wearing greenies, the Prius grew to become the country's 13th-best-selling
vehicle in 2008. Now there is the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius. It's poised to keep the hybrid
revolution going, but with key changes to make it more appealing to an even wider audience.
A quick look at the 2010 Prius will reveal a familiar shape, but it's a little sleeker and
a tad (dare we say) sportier than its predecessor. Visually, it looks smaller, but it's an
optical illusion that creates a more streamlined appearance. Indeed, the 2010 Prius is less
than an inch longer and wider than last year's model.
Under the hood resides a revised version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. There's a larger
and more powerful gasoline engine now. A smaller electric motor contributes less torque to
the overall powertrain dance, but it improves efficiency. There are other mechanical
changes, too, but the end result is a jump in fuel economy, from last year's EPA-estimated
48 mpg city/45 mpg highway to this year's 51/48 mpg.
Toyota has also addressed other previous Prius faults. A more rigid chassis and a revised
electric-assist steering system help to improve steering feel and driver confidence -- the
old Prius' steering had a disconnected, video-gamelike feel. Its straight-line stability
is a lot better now, and in general it feels more like a normal car.
The latest Prius might even seem like a small, ultra-efficient luxury sedan depending on how
you equip it. Luxury-themed items like heated leather seats, a solar-powered sunroof (cools
the interior when parked), a navigation system, radar-based adaptive cruise control (matches
your speed to the car ahead), a pre-collision system (retracts seatbelts and applies the
brakes if a crash is unavoidable) and a lane-departure warning system for inattentive
drivers are all available. Also, the automated self-parking system you've seen in Lexus
commercials makes its way onto the Prius' options sheet.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Toyota Prius is available in four trim levels that should appeal to an ancient
Roman's sensibilities: Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV and Prius V. The Prius I will be
released later at a lower base price. Standard equipment on Prius II includes 15-inch
alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless ignition/entry, auto on/off headlights,
cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-telescoping steering column, a
hybrid system display and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack.
The Prius III adds Bluetooth and an eight-speaker upgraded stereo with six-CD changer.
The Prius IV has this equipment plus additional exterior locking buttons for keyless entry,
leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver lumbar adjustment and an auto-dimming mirror.
The loaded-up Prius V comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and LED headlamps with
auto-leveling and washers.
The Navigation package available on all but the Prius II includes a voice-activated
touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic, a back-up camera, a four-disc CD
changer (replacing the six-slot) and Bluetooth music streaming. The Solar Roof package can
be added to the Navigation package and includes a sunroof with a solar-powered ventilation
system that cools the car when it's parked. The Advanced Technology package when added to
the Navigation package includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision alert system, a
lane departure warning system and automated self parking.
Powertrains and Performance
The 2010 Toyota Prius is powered by Toyota's advanced gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain.
A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine combines with a pair of electric motors (one for
propulsion, the other an electrical systems generator) through a planetary-type
continuously variable transmission (CVT). The result is a total system output of 134
horsepower. In track testing, we clocked the Prius going from zero to 60 mph in 10.1
seconds, which is roughly the same as the old car. The most important number, however,
is fuel economy. The EPA estimates the 2010 Prius will return 51 mpg city/48 highway and
50 mpg combined. That's the best fuel efficiency of any mass-market vehicle sold with an
internal combustion engine.
Safety
Every 2010 Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock disc brakes (the old car had rear
drums), stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a
driver knee airbag. Optional equipment includes a pre-collision warning system and a lane-
departure warning system. In brake testing, the Prius stopped from 60 mph in a short 118
feet, with less fade than the previous rear-drum-equipped car.
Interior Design and Special Features
The 2010 Prius features straightforward climate and audio controls that jut out toward the
driver in a "floating console" that provides a storage area underneath. This is an
improvement over the convoluted touchscreen controls of the old Prius. The hatchback body
style provides more cargo capacity than a typical midsize sedan, while its backseat
provides lots of space. As for the front seats, the addition of driver height adjustment
is a benefit for both short and tall drivers.
Driving Impressions
The 2010 Toyota Prius retains its hyper-quiet cabin, made possible by its part-time
electric motivation and plenty of sound-deadening materials. The ride is also quite
comfortable, and for 2010, the Prius' structure is tauter, resulting in a less flimsy feel
when the car is driven over road imperfections. Another pleasant improvement is the
electric steering system, which feels more substantial and better connected to the front
tires while still being user-friendly in parking lots.
In regard to its hybrid powertrain, new driving modes (EV, eco, power and normal) allow
the driver to decide how the car's powertrain should be configured for the driving
scenario at hand. Eco is decidedly sluggish, but certainly gets the best fuel economy.
You'll want to select power for freeway on-ramps or driving in hilly environments. The EV
mode locks out the gasoline engine, but only up to 25 mph with at least a half-charged
battery pack.
12 Defensive Driving Tips
1. Never assume the other driver sees you. Whether you are making a turn, changing lanes,
pulling out into traffic, never assume drivers in oncoming traffic see you or will react
correctly to your maneuver. They may be distracted, intoxicated, in a daze or just plain
pissed off about something. This is especially important if you are driving a small car or
riding a bicycle.
2. Never trust a turn signal. How many times do you see vehicles driving down the road with
the turn signal on, but they never change lanes or make a turn? The advice is do NOT pull
out in front of these people assuming they are going to turn, and do NOT try to pass them
on the side their turn signal is flashing. But who knows? They may fool you and actually
make a lane change or a turn (maybe in the opposite direction!).
3. Assume the other driver is not paying attention. You pull up to a four-way stop a few
seconds before another vehicle to your left or right. Who goes first? You should because
you got there first, stopped first and have been waiting the longest. But many drivers
apparently haven't learned this rule of driving courtesy and may charge ahead totally
oblivious to others who might be in their way.
4. Leave yourself some maneuvering room when stopping behind another vehicle. When traffic
stops, don't get right up on the bumper of the vehicle ahead of you. If you're on a four
lane street, the car ahead of you may be waiting to turn, leaving you trapped until they
can make their turn. Even if the vehicle ahead of you is apparently going straight, drivers have been known to suddenly change their minds. Engines have also been known to stall. Leave a car length so you can pull around if the need arises.
5. Never try to beat a red light to save time. Nobody likes to waste time sitting at a stop
light. But other that wasting a little gas and possibly making you late, it won't cost you
a fine for running a red light, thousands in collision repairs should you hit somebody or
somebody hits you. Many urban areas are now installing red light camera as a way to
generate revenue. Big Brother is watching, so when the light turns yellow put on the brakes.
And never blow through a stop sign. It could be the last traffic sign you disobey.
6. Be a "heads up" driver. As your speed increases, so should your gaze down the road. Too
many drivers get tunnel vision following the vehicle ahead of them, and do not look ahead
to get the big picture of what traffic is doing. It's hard to see around a big SUV or a
truck, so don't follow too closely, or change lanes and get behind a car.
7. Don't hurry. Be happy! Urban driving can be a challenge, especially during rush hour when
everybody is rushing to get to work or rushing to get home. It's the NASCAR mentality that
gets their shorts in a bind. Rush hour isn't a race, though it may seem that way. So relax,
go with the flow and arrive home happy. Listen to your favorite music to soothe the soul.
Life is a journey, so enjoy the trip.
8. Give the other driver a break. Be the nice guy who lets another driver pull out of a
driveway or side street into heavy traffic. Pull over into the left lane on a four-lane
highway or interstate is somebody is trying to merge from the right. Don't be a jerk.
Be nice and be sure to wave. Your good deed will be paid back sooner or later.
9. Don't flip off other drivers. They may be packing heat (carrying a gun!). If somebody cuts
you off in traffic or makes a driving blunder, a toot on your horn should suffice (the
duration of which may increase with the severity of the offense). Giving some idiot the
finger is a good way to encourage more obnoxious behavior. That, in turn, may start a game
of "getting even" which can lead to road rage, people trying to run other people off the
road or punch each other out. It's not worth it.
10. Be Polite. Stay Right. And Step on the Gas when you Pass. A pet peeves is drivers who get
in the left lane on a four lane highway or interstate (which is supposed to be the PASSING
lane), and they poke along blocking others who might want to pass. They'll roll along for
mile after mile, two abreast blocking traffic, not daring to adjust their speed slightly
for fear they might use an extra drop or two of fuel.
11. Go Right! UPS says it saves a ton of fuel as well as delivery time by avoiding LEFT turns.
Your odds of being rear ended or having an accident in the middle of an intersection are
greatly reduced by turning RIGHT as much as possible.
12. Give Truckers a Break, not the Brakes. Big semi-trucks are HEAVY, with some hauling loads
of 60,000 to 80,000 lbs. They can't stop on a dime, or a quarter, or a hundred dollar
bill. So don't cut them off in traffic, or zip into the lane ahead of them and suddenly
hit your brakes. The truck will run over you like a steam roller.
1. Never assume the other driver sees you. Whether you are making a turn, changing lanes,
pulling out into traffic, never assume drivers in oncoming traffic see you or will react
correctly to your maneuver. They may be distracted, intoxicated, in a daze or just plain
pissed off about something. This is especially important if you are driving a small car or
riding a bicycle.
2. Never trust a turn signal. How many times do you see vehicles driving down the road with
the turn signal on, but they never change lanes or make a turn? The advice is do NOT pull
out in front of these people assuming they are going to turn, and do NOT try to pass them
on the side their turn signal is flashing. But who knows? They may fool you and actually
make a lane change or a turn (maybe in the opposite direction!).
3. Assume the other driver is not paying attention. You pull up to a four-way stop a few
seconds before another vehicle to your left or right. Who goes first? You should because
you got there first, stopped first and have been waiting the longest. But many drivers
apparently haven't learned this rule of driving courtesy and may charge ahead totally
oblivious to others who might be in their way.
4. Leave yourself some maneuvering room when stopping behind another vehicle. When traffic
stops, don't get right up on the bumper of the vehicle ahead of you. If you're on a four
lane street, the car ahead of you may be waiting to turn, leaving you trapped until they
can make their turn. Even if the vehicle ahead of you is apparently going straight, drivers have been known to suddenly change their minds. Engines have also been known to stall. Leave a car length so you can pull around if the need arises.
5. Never try to beat a red light to save time. Nobody likes to waste time sitting at a stop
light. But other that wasting a little gas and possibly making you late, it won't cost you
a fine for running a red light, thousands in collision repairs should you hit somebody or
somebody hits you. Many urban areas are now installing red light camera as a way to
generate revenue. Big Brother is watching, so when the light turns yellow put on the brakes.
And never blow through a stop sign. It could be the last traffic sign you disobey.
6. Be a "heads up" driver. As your speed increases, so should your gaze down the road. Too
many drivers get tunnel vision following the vehicle ahead of them, and do not look ahead
to get the big picture of what traffic is doing. It's hard to see around a big SUV or a
truck, so don't follow too closely, or change lanes and get behind a car.
7. Don't hurry. Be happy! Urban driving can be a challenge, especially during rush hour when
everybody is rushing to get to work or rushing to get home. It's the NASCAR mentality that
gets their shorts in a bind. Rush hour isn't a race, though it may seem that way. So relax,
go with the flow and arrive home happy. Listen to your favorite music to soothe the soul.
Life is a journey, so enjoy the trip.
8. Give the other driver a break. Be the nice guy who lets another driver pull out of a
driveway or side street into heavy traffic. Pull over into the left lane on a four-lane
highway or interstate is somebody is trying to merge from the right. Don't be a jerk.
Be nice and be sure to wave. Your good deed will be paid back sooner or later.
9. Don't flip off other drivers. They may be packing heat (carrying a gun!). If somebody cuts
you off in traffic or makes a driving blunder, a toot on your horn should suffice (the
duration of which may increase with the severity of the offense). Giving some idiot the
finger is a good way to encourage more obnoxious behavior. That, in turn, may start a game
of "getting even" which can lead to road rage, people trying to run other people off the
road or punch each other out. It's not worth it.
10. Be Polite. Stay Right. And Step on the Gas when you Pass. A pet peeves is drivers who get
in the left lane on a four lane highway or interstate (which is supposed to be the PASSING
lane), and they poke along blocking others who might want to pass. They'll roll along for
mile after mile, two abreast blocking traffic, not daring to adjust their speed slightly
for fear they might use an extra drop or two of fuel.
11. Go Right! UPS says it saves a ton of fuel as well as delivery time by avoiding LEFT turns.
Your odds of being rear ended or having an accident in the middle of an intersection are
greatly reduced by turning RIGHT as much as possible.
12. Give Truckers a Break, not the Brakes. Big semi-trucks are HEAVY, with some hauling loads
of 60,000 to 80,000 lbs. They can't stop on a dime, or a quarter, or a hundred dollar
bill. So don't cut them off in traffic, or zip into the lane ahead of them and suddenly
hit your brakes. The truck will run over you like a steam roller.
Service Specials - click to view coupons, then clip and save!
Brake Special
Lube, Oil, & Filter Coupon
Recommended Maintenance Service
CHILI
1 1/2 tablespoon(s) canola oil, divided
3 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
6 clove(s) garlic, minced
2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 tablespoon(s) ground cumin
2 tablespoon(s) chili powder
1 tablespoon(s) paprika
2 teaspoon(s) dried oregano
12 ounce(s) dark or light beer
1 cup(s) diced tomatoes
8 sun-dried tomatoes (not packed in oil), snipped into small pieces
2 bay leaves
3 cup(s) dark kidney beans, rinsed
1/4 cup(s) chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
1. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add half the beef and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned on all
sides, 2 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with another 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and remaining beef.
2. Reduce heat to medium and add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pot. Add onions and bell peppers; cook, stirring frequently, until onions are golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. Add garlic, jalapenos, cumin, chili powder, paprika and oregano. Stir until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
3. Add beer and simmer, scraping up any browned bits, for about 3 minutes. Add diced tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, bay leaves and reserved beef. Cover and simmer, stirring
occasionally, until beef is very tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
4. Add beans; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until chili has thickened, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in cilantro and lime juice . Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Play "I Spy Mr. Nice Guy". Stop by Conicelli Toyota and pick up your "I Spy Mr. Nice Guy" magnet. If you are spied with it on your vehicle you will win a prize. Click here for complete details.
COLLEGE GRAD REBATE
Do you know a recent college graduate or a college senior who will be graduating in the next 6 months? If so, they may be eligible for a $1000 Recent College Grad Rebate from Toyota Financial Services on select Toyota models. Please call for details.
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