Do you remember the rather nondescript little prototype that started a revolution 14 years ago?! The term Hybrid Synergy Drive didn't exist and neither did THS. Instead it was called EMS. It is interesting that initially the system was very close to Hondas. It's been speculated though that Toyota deliberately didn't show the full Toyota Hybrid System in order to throw off their competitors. By 1995 THS must have been fully functional and being tested in secret. Here' the PDF. Rip out the vinyls and lets get nostalgic...
This is very interesting. I bet back then (wow, 14 years) no one imagined that they were only scratching the surface of what is now a global phenomenon. This is cool. It looks very much like the 1st Generation Prius. "...realize a high fuel efficiency of 30 km/L..." That's huge!!! Equaling 70.56 MPG or 3.33 L/100km!!! Truly Amazing.
the Early Prius was not that impressive, but like all impressive products it has continued to impress long after most products would started resting on their laurels. when the 2010 was first announced was not nowhere near thinking of replacing my Pri. but after Detroit, its no longer an easy thing to "just say no"....in fact, its become extremely difficult
Beauty maybe only skin deep, but first impression also counts the most. No matter how 'great' the THS, EMS or whatever technology of then hybrid system was, without a great car body (chassis) to compliment its engineering it will still end up being dismissal (like the first Honda Insight, maybe even the first-gen Echo-like Prius).
Your point eludes me. While the 1GEN Prius was by no means a "looker" many people were so impressed with the technology that they ignored the rather plain looking body. The 1GEN Prius was by no means "dismissed".
