An electric water pump may not seem like a very big deal, but it’s one of my favorite things about the 2010 Toyota Prius engine.

Making the water pump electric, rather than running off a belt driven by the engine’s crankshaft, holds a few benefits. First, there’s the practical benefit of reducing the drag on the engine. This means none of the engine’s power goes to turning the pump impeller, and that reduces drag. But Toyota also points out that by making the water pump electric, the ECU can more precisely control the flow of coolant through the engine. It can also run the water pump independently of the engine, allowing heat to flow even when the car isn’t running. Provided there’s enough hot coolant, of course.

OK, that’s it for all the techy stuff. In about an hour I’ll be posting my first drive of the 2010 Toyota Prius. Did I like it? Hate it? Something in between? I can’t say…embargoes an all that. But 9:01 pm PDT is when it lifts, and then you’ll get the behind-the-wheel impression. Come back then!

Read the 2010 Toyota Prius First Drive or read more 2010 Prius Tech!