The Toyota Prius c (c stands for "city"), also known as the ; "aqua" is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles. The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded. When PEVs are included, the Chevrolet Volt is the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car.
Toyota presented the production version of the Aqua at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show; presented the U.S. Prius c at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit,See Toyota Press Release for details. and launched the Aqua in Japan in December 2011 at a price of million (). Sales in several Asian markets began in January 2012. The Prius c was released in the U.S. and Canada in March 2012. Sales in Australia and New Zealand began in April 2012.
The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years. , the Aqua/Prius c is the second most sold hybrid of Toyota after the regular Prius, with 1,380,100 units sold worldwide. Japan as the market leader with 1,154,500 units sold through January 2017. The Aqua was the top selling new car in Japan for three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015.
The Prius C was discontinued in North America at the end of the 2019 model year. It was also discontinued in Australia in early 2020.
Prius c Concept
The Toyota Prius c concept car was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The design takes cues from the Toyota FT-CH concept vehicle that was shown at the same event in 2010. Toyota explained that the 'c' in 'Prius c' stands for "city"-centric vehicle as it is smaller than the standard Prius and aimed at younger buyers without families who require less cargo space in the rear and fewer of the luxury touches (although passenger space remains essentially the same as a standard Prius). This results in a higher EPA MPG-City Rating than the standard Prius and easier parking in tight spaces.
Together with the introduction of the production version of the Toyota Aqua at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the carmaker also exhibited two other Aqua concepts, the Aqua Kiriri version and the Aqua Piriri.
Specifications
Built on an enhanced and streamlined Yaris-inspired platform, the Prius c features Toyota's Generation 3 Hybrid Synergy Drive with a 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder, 16–valve with VVT-i gasoline engine, the same engine model and displacement as on the earliest Priuses, but is now "beltless". The air conditioner is a self-contained unit containing a motor & compressor powered by the 144-volt traction battery, and the 12-volt battery is charged via a DC-DC converter also powered by the traction battery.
Unlike earlier Prius HSDs, the Prius c incorporates separate planetary gear reduction paths for the ICE/MG (internal combustion engine/motor-generator) one, now better matched to their respective mission functions, in a significantly smaller, lighter weight package. The chain drive found in the Gen 1 and Gen 2 HSDs is also eliminated, replaced by helical gears in the Gen 3 HSD. The MG2 ratio is 2.5:1 rather than 1:1 as on earlier HSDs, thereby allowing the physical size of the MG2 to be reduced to the cross-section of the MG1. The Prius v and Prius Plug-in share this basic Gen 3 design (P410 transaxle, for both of these), but not its specific implementation, and which is unique to the Prius c and its lower maximum weight, and lower HSD net horsepower (P510 transaxle, for Prius c, North America; Prius Aqua, Japan; and Yaris Hybrid, Europe).
The hybrid system includes a new high-voltage battery and inverter, and a smaller auxiliary 12 volt battery. Both batteries are located under the rear passenger seat, are easily accessible for service, and are protected from collision impact by a welded tubular steel cage which also supports the rear seat. Situated under the passenger seat, the large high voltage traction battery preserves trunk space, unlike the traction battery on earlier Priuses, and significantly lowers the center of gravity,improving handling.
The hybrid powertrain weighs around less than that of the standard Prius Liftback. The 1NZ-FXE engine produces and the HSD motor is rated at . Total output is rated at .
Compared to the standard Prius Liftback, the wheelbase of the Prius C is shorter, and an overall length of is shorter. This places the Prius c in the American subcompact class. Japanese versions are also compliant with Japanese government dimension regulations which reduce tax liability (the regular Prius had exceeded it since the second generation). The use of a 1.5 litre engine also reduces the annual Japanese Government road tax obligation.
Two optional driving modes are offered: "EV Mode enables electric driving for up to one mile. ECO Mode limits the operation of the climate control and adjusts throttle input to help maximize fuel economy".
Fuel economy and emissions
Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles, the 2017 Prius c is rated at city and highway, for a combined fuel economy of . The Prius c emission certification is SULEV.
The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 model year most fuel efficient compact car excluding plug-in electric vehicles. When electric-powered cars are considered, the Chevrolet Volt ranks on top of the compact car category, followed by the Prius c.
Production The Prius c is assembled at the Iwate Plant of Toyota Motor East Japan, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, in Kanegasaki, Iwate in northern Japan. Toyota's initial production capacity for the Aqua/Prius c at this facility was 12,000 units per month, with a maximum production capacity of 30,000 units per month.
Facelift updates The first facelift of the Prius c was presented at the November 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. The facelifted model has a revised front bumper and headlights similar to the GT86. The tail lights are also modified, now incorporating black plastic segments towards the leading edge. The interior features metallic open/close AC vents, as well as a redesigned climate control cluster and an updated, digital speedometer interface design.
A second facelift of the Prius c was released in 2017 with subtle changes, including reshaping of the bonnet, re-sculpted bumpers, redesigned LED c-shaped tail lamps, and revised wheel arches.
Aqua G's The sportier variant, G's was released in 9 December 2013 after previewed in 43rd Tokyo Motor Show as the prototype car. Based on the "G" trim, the exterior features a redesigned front fascia, side mudguards, rear bumper, fender garnish, gloss black accented LED headlights, rear combination lamps, LED illumination beams, and LED fog lamps. This is the sixth G's series models.
GR Sport For the Japanese market, Toyota released the Aqua GR Sport in November 2017 as a direct-successor of the Aqua G's. It weighed 1,100 kg (1,110 kg for vehicles with 17-inch tires), was 4,070 mm long, 1,695mm wide, and 1,455 high (1,440 mm for vehicles with 17-inch tires). It also had specially tuned suspension, additional spot welding points, brace addition (vehicles with 17-inch tires only), tachometer (vehicles with 17-inch tires only), aluminum pedals (vehicles with 17-inch tires only), and a leather-wrapped shift knob. Despite external appearances being similar to the GR Yaris, the interior appearance/layout is that of a seocnd facelift Aqua.
In 2020, new 16-inch aluminium wheels were added as an option.
Persona Series For the American market, the 2016 model year Persona Series was based on the 2016 model year Prius C. The Persona Series comes with a black-on-black color scheme for the exterior paint and alloy wheels. Bright color accents, available in either Electric Lime or Cherry Pearl, adorn the lower front grille, the headlight surrounds, the side mirrors, and the window trim to give a baseball theme. The Persona Series comes standard with keyless entry, automatic climate control, cloth seats, and Bluetooth. Toyota will only sell 1,500 of these special-edition models.
Safety
Markets and sales During 2012 a total of 315,406 units were sold worldwide, led by Japan with 266,574 Aquas sold, representing 84.5% of the model global sales. The Prius c is not available in Europe, instead, Toyota is selling the Toyota Yaris Hybrid since June 2012. The Yaris Hybrid shares the same powertrain as the Prius c. Global sales of the Aqua/Prius c passed the 500,000 milestone in August 2013, Refer to section – U.S. Hybrid sales for August 2013: A total of 29,850 units had been sold between January and August 2013. and the 1 million milestone during the first half of 2015.
, the Aqua/Prius c is the second most sold hybrid of Toyota Motor Corporation after the regular Prius, with 1,380,100 units sold worldwide. The market leader is Japan with 1,154,500 units sold, capturing 83.6% of global sales. Ranking second is the U.S. with 177,218 units sold through December 2016, and Canada with 11,879 through April 2016. A total of 31,000 units have been sold in the rest of the world through April 2016. For three years running, 2013 through 2015, the Aqua was the top selling new car in Japan. The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years.
The following table presents retail sales since deliveries of the Aqua began in December 2011 for the top selling national markets by year through April 2016.
Toyota Aqua/Prius sales by top national markets between 2011 and 2020Country Total 20202019201820172016 2015 2014 201320122011 1,567,769 59,548103,803126,561131,615 168,203 215,525 233,212 262,367266,574361 Refer to section – December 2012 Hybrid Cars Numbers. 199,300 (1)1,2688,39912,415 20,452 38,484 40,570 41,979 35,7330 20,077 (1)1,4802,0262,285 3,135 3,029 2,776 2,8162,5300 Toyota Australia sold 1,654 Prius c, 722 Prius v and 487 third-generation Prius hatches in 2014. 8,662 83415518737 903 1,2271,654 1,2421,8830 Total top markets 1,795,725 59,631106,966137,504147,052 192,693 258,265 278,212 308,404 306,720 361Global sales 1,860,000+N/AN/AN/AN/AN/A 260,572 281,867 317,891315,406361Notes: (1) Discontinued.
Japan
The Aqua was launched on 26 December 2011 and is available at all Japanese Toyota networks Toyota Store, Toyopet Store, Corolla Store and Toyota Netz. Initially, it was offered in 3 variants: G, S, and L. The Welcab variant also available. Toyota initially established a sales target of 12,000 units per month, but before its market launch, Toyota had received orders for 60,000 Aquas, creating a four-month waiting list for deliveries.