|
There are significant changes in the styling of the new 2010 Prius, all of them good we think, resulting in a sleeker car. The coefficient of drag has been reduced to 0.25 from 0.26, enabling the Prius to continue its rein as one of the world's most slippery passenger cars. It's about half an inch longer, all in the cowl, a result of A-pillars that are moved forward to radically rake the windshield; and about 3/4-inch wider.The roof is the same height, but its apex is moved back 3.9 feet, smoothing the aerodynamic wedge. It's got a discreet double hump that adds character and curiosity. The upper grille opening is smaller and tidier to more efficiently move air over the hood. A new lip over the rear deck not only improves air flow, it eliminates the chopped-off-tail look of the previous Prius. The fender arches are a bit more aggressive, almost bulkier looking, but they reflect additional aero improvement. The bumpers are sharper and squarer at the corners than before. You can't see the underbody covers with splitters, but they too are part of the aerodynamic scheme, to achieve that 0.25 Cd. The blue-tinted headlights are elegant wraparound trapezoids, with optional LED lenses consuming 17-percent less battery power. There's a styling tweak, like a wave or a lip or, with a stretch of the imagination, a lightning bolt at the top, and it works, to deliver distinction. The taillights are standard LED, reducing power draw by 88 percent. The rear wiper is huge, and effective in keeping rain off all that glass back there. The matt black trim around the windows on the Prius II and III trim levels doesn't do much to complement the car; the satin black finish on the Prius IV and V is nicer.
|
