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Prius plug-in hybrid comes to the UK

The fifth-generation Toyota Prius will be released in 2023. However, it was initially announced that it would not be sold in the UK. Customers who were thinking of upgrading from the fourth-generation model shifted to the redesigned C-HR. They also went for the Toyota Corolla station wagon and Touring.

Incidentally, the current European-spec Corolla is produced in Great Britain, which is not a bad situation for Toyota UK.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Design (UK spec)

But the man who has led the electrification of passenger cars and weakened resistance to battery EVs is back, and it seems quite a few Brits were hoping for a new Prius.

However, the UK version will only be available as a plug-in hybrid – unlike some markets, Toyota’s unique series-parallel hybrid will not be available.

For a while after its launch in 1997, the Prius was a symbol of the car for people who wanted to express their concern for the environment. After four generations, it has evolved into what Toyota calls a coupe, with low, sleek side proportions.

Stylish at a glance. Small luggage space.

So, the Prius has suddenly become very stylish. Has it become a car that drivers who enjoy driving will really want to choose? 25 years ago, I never would have imagined that I would be asking myself this question.

The dimensions of the new Prius are 4599mm in length, 1782mm in width, and 1430mm in height. The overall length is 46mm shorter than the previous model, and the wheelbase is 50mm longer. The peak of the roofline has been shifted backwards to optimize the aerodynamic characteristics while also ensuring space in the rear seats.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Design (UK spec)

The interior offers fewer surprises than the body, but as a familiar saloon in this class, that’s hardly surprising.

The dashboard still has plenty of hard buttons you can actually press for the climate control, and the large infotainment touch monitor is positioned high up for easy viewing. The graphics are beautiful, too.

The meter monitor is installed near the base of the windshield, making it easy to check while driving. It functions similarly to a head-up display. This should help keep costs down.

The space in the rear seats is somewhat limited vertically, but there is plenty of room in front of the knees. The luggage compartment is small at 284 liters. If you often carry luggage, you might want to consider the Corolla Touring.

Significant increase to 223hp Highly refined

Photos: I want to take the “driver’s seat”! What are the European competitors to the Toyota Prius? Total 148 photos

By Saeed Azhar

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Bank of America plans to open more than 165 U.S. branches by the end of 2026, the lender said on Monday, as it competes with JPMorgan Chase to add locations.

Banks have redesigned their branches to emphasize in-person sales of products such as mortgages and investments, instead of routine teller transactions. The shift came as digital banking services proliferated, reducing the need for physical locations.

BofA’s expansion will include 40 new sites this year, the bank said in a statement. It opens a branch in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday and plans to have five in the city by the end of next year.

In addition to the District of Columbia, the second-largest U.S. lender currently has a presence in 38 states and will expand to 41 by 2026, it said.

Larger rival JPMorgan operates in 48 states and has the largest branch network, with plans to open 500 more by 2027.

BofA financial centers account for 80% of new checking accounts, with the rest opened online, said Aron Levine, BofA’s co-head of consumer bank and president of preferred banking.

Despite the expansion plans, the lender’s branch footprint has fallen to 3,800 sites versus more than 4,800 in 2014. The bank has spent $5 billion on retooling its financial centers in the last decade, adding more than 100 branches over the last two years focused on broader banking, lending and brokerage services.

Consumer banking is the biggest contributor to BofA’s earnings, accounting for nearly 38% of second-quarter net income.

The Federal Reserve’s interest rate cut this week will revive the market for mortgage refinancing for the first time in five years, Levine said.

“Certainly the place that has the biggest impact will be ultimately the refinance, and then, to some degree, the housing market,” he said. “You’d expect the purchase market to also pick up.”

(Reporting by Saeed Azhar; Editing by Lananh Nguyen and Cynthia Osterman)

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2024-09-23 10:26:31