BELIEVE it or not, it is more than 10 years since the first hybrid Toyota, the Prius, took to the streets in Australia.
Admittedly it was only an evaluation model - the production version arrived in 2001 a couple of months after its rival the Honda Insight - but it went on to sell more than 13,000 units, two-thirds of them to fleets and government departments seeking a green image.
The latest version is a little quicker, more frugal, cleaner and safer than its predecessor.
Starting and stopping procedures have changed a little but the driving experience is much the same, not surprising since the basic drive system remains unchanged.
Entry is now via a proximity sensing key fob that allows the doors to open at the touch of the handle.
After settling into the more comfortable seats, push the start button, slot the new stubby gear lever into D or R, release the antiquated foot operated park brake and press the accelerator.
Move off and, depending on the charge in the batteries, the throttle setting and the load on the car, the Prius will use either the (silent) electric motor or bring in the petrol engine to assist.
Slow down or lift off the throttle and the petrol engine has a nap until it is needed again. Slowing also produces a muted whine from the regenerative motor as it charges the batteries.
The slight shudder as the petrol engine engages and disengages remains, as does the slurring of the stepless CVT (constantly variable transmission) and the the muscular brake pedal feel that comes from regenerative braking.
Shutting down is also procedural. Stop, push foot brake, select neutral, push "park" button and push the "stop" button. Time brings acceptance, although not for the incessant beeping in reverse.
New for this model is the choice of three driving modes - Eco for fuel economy, Ev for electric drive only and Power for maximum acceleration.
However, Ev is restricted to a range of 1-2km at 50km/h.
A screen shows the state of play through an energy monitor showing the flow between the petrol and electric motors and the wheels and a consumption screen which shows energy storage and petrol consumed.
A more powerful 60kW electric motor works in tandem with a 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 73kW, up from 56kW for the previous 1.5-litre engine.
This lifts the combined petrol-electric power by 21 per cent to 100kW and the all important torque figure to 210Nm for the electric motor and 142Nm for the petrol engine.
Performance is strong enough to more than keep pace in traffic and it cruises easily on the open road.
Stand on the throttle and the Prius will reach 100km/h in 10.4 seconds, or 0.4 seconds quicker than its predecessor and a little quicker than an automatic Corolla, even though weight has gone up by about 110kg to a minimum of 1370kg.
Despite the bigger petrol engine and the weight gain, it sips just 3.9 litres of fuel for every 100km on the combined cycle, an 11 per cent improvement, and exhales only 89g of carbon dioxide for every km, the least of any production car sold here.
Styling is similar but sleeker with sharper corners, new lights and a more pronounced wedge shape.
The suspension has been tickled to improve ride, handling and stability.
Handling is competent and predictable and the ride is smooth and comfortable on good roads, although the low rolling resistance tyres thump over lumpy surfaces and broken edges.
Inside, the Prius feels bigger than its Corolla-sized exterior suggests. Seating is more comfortable, especially in the rear, and the finish and layout of controls is classy, albeit with some trim noise over rough surfaces. There are two versions, the standard Prius at $39,900, an increase of $2500, and a new model, the i-Tech at a dizzy $53,500.
Equipment in the base model includes seven airbags, stability control, 15-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel controls for the airconditioning, audio and mobile phone, a heads-up speed display on the windscreen and a space saver spare tyre.
The i-Tech adds solar panels in the sunroof to power a fan to cool the interior when parked, radar cruise control, emergency braking, park assist, satellite navigation, a rear camera, leather seats, LED headlights and a tyre repair kit.
A $5000 option pack on the base model adds satellite navigation, a rear-view camera and park assist.
Toyota expects to sell 4500 Prius models over the next 12 months, a 30 per cent increase on last year and a far cry from the 137 it sold in its first year here.
