Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Lexus
Toyota confirms Prius-based Lexus hybrid for Europe

Toyota has finally confirmed what's been rumored for months, that a new hybrid is coming for its upmarket Lexus brand based on the underpinnings of the Toyota Prius. The Prius itself is about to undergo a major reworking, as the third-generation of the iconic hybrid will debut in January at the Detroit Auto Show. According to Lexus officials, the Prius-based Lexus will go on sale in Europe for 2010, and we're guessing the U.S. will get that model too. A second dedicated hybrid model will reportedly also join the Lexus ranks and be larger than the Prius-based car. We don't have too many details yet on either of these new Lexuses, except that they will be more performance-oriented than their Prius sibling. A high-luxe Prius, as long as it doesn't get too pricey, may be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Lexus brand.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eric Liberatore 5:22PM (10/02/2008)
Well the front end and wheels sure look better than the Prius. Still not the most gorgeous car I've ever seen.
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jhfoever 9:59PM (10/02/2008)
It looks like a beaver.
jv2k 1:46PM (10/03/2008)
I disagree. I think it looks uglier.
Nismo334 5:23PM (10/02/2008)
Is the plural of Lexus, Lexuses? Or is it Lexi? Same question applies to Mercedes.
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fil 6:10PM (10/02/2008)
It could be just "Lexus", since some words don't have plural forms.
The suffix -ii only applies to Latin words ending in -ius, like radius, radii.
"Lexuses" is the correct form for pluralising this word though... but I've never heard from Lexus themselves using it.
AZMike 5:26PM (10/02/2008)
always remember the simple formula:
badge-engineered American cars: stupid, overkill, destined for failure, tied to the failed past.
badge-engineered Japanese cars: forward-thinking, good use of platform, brilliant!
got it?
AZMike
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P.V. 5:51PM (10/02/2008)
Japanese car companies generally don't do simply badge jobs and haven't done them in the past like American car companies.
It's not completely hypocritical (although, if you say that people are still criticizing American car companies (except Ford, which in my mind, still badge engineers like it and the others did in the past) for this, then yes, you are right).
HotRodzNKustoms 6:27PM (10/02/2008)
P.V. you have obviously never hear of the Toyota Cavalier
P.V. 8:12PM (10/02/2008)
I said they GENERALLY don't do badge jobs (as in, there have been a few, but very few, exceptions).
Yes, I have heard of the Toyota Cavalier, but did GM sell the Cavalier as a Chevrolet alongside the Toyota model? If not, this isn't a badge job in the sense of the numerous rebadged cars sold here (J-bodies, Neon, any of Ford's current cars (except for the Focus, Explorer Sport Trac, F-150)).
Red 10:34PM (10/02/2008)
@ AZMike,
Not that I'm trying to disagree with you, but in all fairness, Toyota and Honda don't have nearly as many cars or other brands to badge engineer for as Chrysler, Ford or GM have, GM in particular. As we all know, Ford spreads between Mazda, Volvo, Lincoln and Mercury, Chrysler between its own brand, Jeep and Dodge, and GM between Chevrolet, Buick, Pontiac, GMC, Saturn, Hummer, Saab, Cadillac. Looking at the different vehicles that utilitize platform sharing (all of them in some way or another), both Honda and Toyota have had more hits in public perception and sales than Ford, GM and Chrysler. How you can build several vehicles on the exact same platform and almost all or all of them ride, feel, accelerate, decelerate and turn near the bottom of the reviewers opinions is beyond me. That's not so much the case anymore, but I think that's where the "tied to the past" argument comes from.
Nick 11:26PM (10/02/2008)
Europeans consider Lexus cars to be re-badged Toyotas, that's why the brand is selling poorly over there.
AZMike 12:19AM (10/03/2008)
we cetainly have seen many tarted-up versions of lowly Toyota and Nissan models receive nicer wheels, body-cladding and fancy interiors to suddenly become upmarket Lexus and Infiniti models. the 4Runner and it's party dress Lexus cousin immediately come to mind, as well as the Toyota Land Cruiser/Lexus LX470 miracle leather-and-wood transformation, too. this little teeny Prius-in-drag will fit right in.
perhaps Toyota will relent, and sell it here, too. I see a "Palm Beach Edition" (or perhaps more fitting, "Coach Edition"), complete with carriage roof, gold package, and chrome wheels/Vogue Tyres. just the thing for bingo night in Boca.
...and yet, there never seems to be an end of the humor comparing the Cavalier to the Cimarron.
on another note, I had to drop a friend off at a Toyota dealer yesterday for his eighth service repair visit on his year-old Camry. I hadn't had lunch yet, so there was no danger of bringing it up when I looked at a new Pruis.
the MSRP was over $29K; fabric seats, no power seat, and the carpeting on the floor looked like the stuff they use on the rear package shelves of most sedans. I'm missing something here; the interior wasn't as nice as a mid-80s Corolla.
AZMike
Gary 1:37AM (10/03/2008)
I have a friend who recently bought a Honda Fit. When I sat inside it for the first tine, I was surprised at what the floor was covered with... the same material I've typically seen lining car trunks.
Dan 5:27PM (10/02/2008)
just what the prius needs - a bit more smug
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Cardude 5:32PM (10/02/2008)
A Lexus version of the Prius? Lol@ Toyota!
AZMike, you are correct. Gotta love that hipocracy.
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JDMlover 5:35PM (10/02/2008)
BRING IT!!!
I like Lexus cars soo much i want them to expand as much as they can.. :)
If they can improve on the tech in this over the Pruis that will be very good.
I can only imagine the comfort, technology, and luxury this car will have coming from Lexus..it truly will be something and one of a kind!!
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Mr_Pie 5:46PM (10/02/2008)
i hope they can come up with a better shape
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Torrent 6:26PM (10/02/2008)
Closest thing to what it could look like... Excluding the Rims.
http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff22/Hakem1125/LexusPrius.jpg?t=1222986262
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SimbaDogg 6:38PM (10/02/2008)
no...no it's not
Torrent 6:39PM (10/02/2008)
imo.....
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