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Press Release
EMBARGO DATE ON 10/05/2006 15:00 CET
Third year of International Engine of Year awards for Prius
Decisive winner in two major categories
. Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) "best for fuel economy"
. Best 1.4-1.8 litre engine
. Record breaking run for Prius
For the third year in succession, the 1.5-litre petrol engine of the Hybrid
Synergy Drive(r) has won best 1.4-
1.8-litre engine in the awards and has also been named 'Best Fuel Economy'
for its application in the Toyota
Prius. This means the Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) has won both categories every
year since it was launched in
the second generation Prius in 2004.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive(r) was a decisive winner in both categories and drew
praise from the international
jury for "a brilliant technical achievement". Other judges also noted the
success of the Hybrid Synergy Drive(r)
in delivering "real world fuel economy".
Thierry Dombreval, Toyota Motor Marketing Europe's Executive Vice President
and COO, said: "At a time
when energy prices are soaring, Toyota's commitment to Hybrid Synergy Drive(r)
is receiving further
acknowledgment with this prestigious award. This encourages us in our belief
that the Toyota Prius is a real
world solution for customers who want better fuel economy and low CO2
together with driving pleasure."
Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA
Avenue du Bourget 60 - Bourgetlaan 60
B-1140 Brussels
Belgium
In addition to the record-breaking third year of outright wins in these two
categories, the Toyota Prius
has also set another record with no fewer than 11 wins over its two
generations:
Toyota Prius
2006 Best Fuel Economy
Best 1.4-1.8-litre Engine
2005 Best Fuel Economy
Best 1.4-1.8-litre Engine
2004 International Engine of the Year 2004
Best New Engine
Best Fuel Economy
Best 1.4-1.8-litre Engine
2002 -
2000 Best Eco-Friendly
1999 Best Eco-Friendly
Best 1.4-1.8-litre Engine
Since 1997, Toyota sold 613,300 hybrid vehicles around the world. In Europe,
Prius sales have considerably
increased, jumping from 8,136 units in 2004 to 18,886 in 2005 (+132%), and
are forecast to exceed 25,000
this year.
About the awards
The results of the International Engine of the Year Awards 2006 were decided
by a panel of 61 automotive
journalists from 29 countries.
The awards have been held since 1999 and reward the best engines available
on the market. Every engine
in mass-production installed in a production car on sale in more than one
country is eligible. There are 12
categories to distinguish engines by size, fuel economy and performance.
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