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Automotive

Toyota rolls out Corolla Hybrid and Prius AWD-e in Los Angeles

By Aaron Turpen
November 28, 2018
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Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The Toyota Prius with AWD has been a long time coming, with the compact hybrid being front-wheel drive since its inception and debut in the 1990s
Toyota
The Prius AWD-e system engages the rear wheels when traction requirements make it necessary
Toyota
Inclement weather or low-traction situations will cause the Prius AWD-e to engage the rear wheels, which are powered by an electric motor
Toyota
The traction control system allows the Prius AWD-e to remain stable in all weather situations
Toyota
The Prius AWD-e's all-wheel drive system works in a way very similar to the RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota
Badging on the rear of the Prius AWD-e will denote its all-wheel drivetrain
Toyota
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota debuts the Prius AWD-e at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota Corolla Hybrid at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Toyota Corolla Hybrid at the 2018 LA Auto Show
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
View gallery - 16 images

Toyota has come forward at the LA Auto Show with another hybrid model, the new Corolla Hybrid, and an all-new all-wheel drive Prius. The Prius AWD-e features a drivetrain taken from the well-received RAV4 Hybrid AWD. Also being shown are the company's new TRD sedans.

The Toyota Prius with AWD has been a long time coming, with the compact hybrid being front-wheel drive since its inception and debut in the 1990s. The all-wheel drive system in the new Prius AWD-e has the front wheels powered by the hybrid drivetrain and the rear wheels powered by an electric motor.

The Prius AWD-e will have an estimated 52 mpg in the city, Toyota says, and will become one of the most fuel efficient AWD options on the market. As with the RAV4 Hybrid, the AWD-e system will engage the rear wheels when traction requires, such as during inclement weather or unstable terrain. The Prius will otherwise remain front-wheel drive in most driving situations.

The Prius AWD-e's all-wheel drive system works in a way very similar to the RAV4 Hybrid
Toyota

Also being shown at the LA Auto Show is the new Toyota Corolla Hybrid, which becomes the first Corolla model to be offered in a hybrid gasoline-electric drivetrain. The Corolla, the best-selling nameplate for Toyota globally, is also being debuted in a new hatchback format as Toyota drops the iA name inherited from now-defunct Scion.

Los Angeles is also the springboard for the all-new 2019 RAV4, which utilizes the company's New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform. The Toyota Camry TRD and Avalon TRD are on the LA show floor, too.

Toyota has promised more details for the Prius AWD-e and Corolla Hybrid closer to their market launch in 2019.

Source: Toyota

View gallery - 16 images

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AutomotiveToyotaPriusLA Auto Show 2018
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Aaron Turpen
Aaron is a Wyoming-based automotive journalist with interests in electronic and engineering technology. Outside of New Atlas, Aaron is a prolific writer, father of two, and would-be chicken farmer.
8 comments
paul314
In my neck of the woods this will be a big deal. There are a few weeks a year when even studded FWD just doesn't cut it.
guzmanchinky
Love it or hate it, the Prius will go down in history as a game changing vehicle. I wonder how far we can push the internal combustion engine, to where it becomes better for the environment than an electric car? 60mpg? 100mpg on some kind of synthetic algae grown fuel?
Chuck Cronin
Baby, don't have back. The even hide the rear end in press release pictures
Gizmowiz
Worthless exercise.. all PHEVs are obsolete.
zr2s10
Really interested in that Prius AWD. Less ugly than the last one, and that kind of mileage with AWD?? Crazy. Subaru might as well cancel the Crosstrek Plug-in, which was a waste anyway, because everyone will opt for this instead! This is almost definitely my next daily driver, now that they put AWD on it.
zr2s10
Of course, I found this on Car & Driver: "The rear electric motor will solely power the Prius from a stop to 6 mph and then will automatically be engaged or disengaged as needed at speeds of up to 43 mph.". Only working up to 43 mph doesn't sound like the best thing. Not sure how to feel about that...
Daishi
@guzmanchinky I don't think we are likely to push the combustion engine to a point where it's better than electric for the environment. Most people compare the efficiency of combustion engines with the efficiency of producing electricity for the grid but I don't think that comparison is fully apples to apples. Should you measure the fuel needed to bring gas tankers to the gas station? Should you measure the energy to refine petroleum to make gas? What about the energy used to drill and get oil? Do you measure the cost of military occupations in oil rich nations? I don't think it's fair to measure electric vs combustion motors and ignore how clean grid power sources are but I'm not sure measuring grid for electric while ignoring gasoline production and distribution is entirely fair either. As combustion engine efficiency improves grid power sources will become cleaner over time. There has been a huge shift away from coal power that will continue as greener sources are passing it as also cheaper.
ljaques
Priuses are so obsolete, Vince, that they've only sold 22,524 so far this year in the US. I'd like to see a plug-in with a large battery and a small ICE genset which could power the vehicle in normal traffic, ending the range worries. On a trip, you're going to stop to pee, to eat, and to sleep, so plugging in could be made more optional than it is now. Hybrids don't need 175hp engines.
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