The Toyota Prius has been a popular choice with the trendy set, despite its lackluster interior appointments. One customer across the pond has sought to rectify that by commissioning a jazzed-up version of the hybrid automobile.
The special Prius you see here has been repainted using a metallic Lexus tint called Brechin Slate. The interior was completely reupholstered in hand-stitched leather. Finally, the boring stock wheels were replaced with polished steel Fox RS3 rims. The modifications were supervised by Jemca Toyota, which contracted out to various specialists to bring the car up to spec for the customer.
All the retrofitments brought the total price of the Prius to a whopping £32,900, a considerable premium over the £17,765 base price the hybrid commands in the UK. Goes to show that, in such a trendy market especially, you can't put a price on individuality.
To see more pics of this one-of-a-kind creation, follow the link.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
akintz @ May 2nd 2007 2:23PM
So how much extra weight did all of this modifications add? And how much did his mileage decrease form said extra weight, sort of negating one of the main points in buying a hybrid in the first place?
Mike @ May 2nd 2007 2:29PM
Pimp my Ecostatement... coming soon to MTV.
Have you ever wondered how you can tell the world 'my worldview is better than yours' while being coddled in the finest of contradiction? Now you can find out how.
Our engineers will shroud your PETA member booty in the finest leather available. Added high-visual-performance wheel weight will tell the world 'fuel savings be-damned!' as you cruise in your eco mobile. And don't forget how the clear-corner headlamps increase your aerodynamics and performance, no more amber lenses to slow you down! Reduntant vanity license plates will only serve to increase your street cred, telling people that factory markings and a distict body-style do not go far enough in telling that you truly ARE better and you have the vehicle to prove it.
paul34 @ May 2nd 2007 2:45PM
Umm... that qualifies as "luxury"? Those wheels are hideous... I'd expect to find them on some low-budget ricer or ghetto, abused Corolla from the early 90s.
Den in IN @ May 2nd 2007 2:56PM
Finally, someone who is willing to admit that a Prius is primarily a fashon statment.
Spud @ May 2nd 2007 3:03PM
Oh well, I guess we'll just send the perfectly good old interior to the landfill...
Big Rocket @ May 2nd 2007 3:07PM
Autoblog: "The interior was completely reupholstered in hand-stitched leather."
This is a poor reflection on the global warming lobby, and how little they understand or care about the real science behind the issues. Leather comes from cows, and "livestock is responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas problem" in the form of methane emitted from cows, pigs, etc.
It's bad enough when there is so little hard data and scientific evidence to back up global warming. It's worse when the environmentalists don't practice what they preach.
Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/GlobalWarming/story?id=2723201&page=1
Adam @ May 2nd 2007 3:09PM
mmmm... I love Steak!
jj @ May 2nd 2007 3:13PM
Beautify our roads.
END THE PRIUS TREND.
flareak @ May 2nd 2007 3:18PM
Beautify our roads.
END THE AMERICAN CAR TREND.
Andrew @ May 2nd 2007 3:22PM
"livestock is responsible for 18 percent of the world's greenhouse gas problem"
Then isn't killing cows for their leather helping the environment? ;)
roadside observer @ May 2nd 2007 3:28PM
"A fool and his money are soon parted."
#5, well stated!
Mike @ May 2nd 2007 3:31PM
@flareak: Think before you speak, wanker. Take one of those 79 horsepower karts you call a Euro car on a southern interstate or a mid-western small town road and you'll see why American cars are what they are.
Mike @ May 2nd 2007 3:32PM
there are WAY too many mikes on here...
Ari @ May 2nd 2007 3:36PM
@5 and 12
I did not buy my Prius back in February as a fashion statement, nor as a environmental statement, either. Rather I bought it because on the short list of cars (Fusion, Mazda3, and Prius) I got the best deal of all three cars. My local dealerships wanted $20k + for both the Fusion and Mazda3 with nearly no options. While I could have probably talked this down, these cars were not worth it in my opinion. My local Toyota dealership gave me a Prius for $18K and along with the $1500 tax credit, bringing the price to something very affordable for me.
And it doesn't hurt that I can say, no, I didn't buy a truly green car, but I am reducing my dependence on the oil sheiks and Hugo Chavez. Fashion statements be damned.
willem @ May 2nd 2007 3:43PM
Where are Jeremy Clarkson and Billy Bob for a little Prius-hunting when you need them?
Spud @ May 2nd 2007 3:47PM
You're a real renaissance man, Mike. I can tell...;-)
Mike @ May 2nd 2007 3:51PM
which Mike???
Mike @ May 2nd 2007 4:09PM
Any way to change your display name, I'm like the 3rd or 4th Mike.
Fabulo @ May 2nd 2007 4:41PM
What? No encrusted diamonds?
Zain @ May 2nd 2007 5:17PM
Why stick with stock tires? He should stuck some 19" BBS rims in there. ;)