Toyota turns up volume on Prius

By Tom Phillips

24th August 2010

Silence isn’t golden for Toyota! To counter the fact that its latest Prius hybrid is virtually silent at low speeds, and can catch pedestrians unawares, the firm has introduced an optional external speaker system that warns pedestrians of the oncoming car.

Called the Approaching Vehicle Audible System, the device features a speaker mounted behind the front bumper which automatically emits a synthesized sound of an electric motor. The noise kicks in when the Prius is operating as an electric vehicle at speeds up to 16mph.

Toyota claims the sound is aimed to alert but not annoy. The noise emitted sounds like something from a sci-fi film, and rises and falls in pitch relative to the vehicle's speed, helping to indicate the vehicle's proximity and movement.

The system goes on sale in Japan on 30th August, costs 12,600 yen (around £100) and will only be available on the Prius for now, but will be extended to other hybrids in its line-up in the future.

At present, there are no plans to bring the system to the UK. However a spokesman said, “We are not marketing this device in Europe at this time, but we would consider this, if and when a harmonised regulatory approach is agreed within the EU regarding the noise levels of hybrid vehicles.

We understand that discussions regarding this issue have started in a UNECE working group, and we are open to collaborate with this group.”