REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works
Toyota Hybrid X Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Exactly how the Prius name might shift from defining the world's most famous hybrid to its own sub-brand – "Not!" – or moniker for other Toyota hybirds – "Yes!" – has been a source of interest for quite some time. The latest bit of speculation comes from the Yomiuri newspaper in Japan (via Green Car Advisor) and says that Toyota is considering building a Prius sport wagon or a Prius SUV about 12 months from now, maybe using lithium-ion batteries (despite Toyota's public pronouncements). Toyota officials, however, would not comment to the Yomiuri about the report.
As we saw with the Hybrid X (above) unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007, Toyota has been thinking about a Prius wagon for a while. Green Car Advisor speculates that the the Venza could be a good candidate for the production wagon, while any of Toyota's JDM wagons could also make the transition to hybrids here. As for a Prius SUV? Tone down the Lexus RX 400h and there you go.
[Source: Yomiuri via Green Car Advisor]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tom 9:27AM (11/16/2009)
http://www.woodyscarsite.com/2009/11/toyota-prius-plug-in-wagon.html
Plug in Hybrid images
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marz 9:36AM (11/16/2009)
The toned down RX400h is called the Highlander Hybrid. They need something like the RAV using the Prius drive train. Plenty of room, 40+MPG, & adequate power.
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Leclerc 10:10AM (11/16/2009)
Uhh....what? Dude, it's too early for the pipe.
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JeremiahBWhite 10:11AM (11/16/2009)
If the car was black, it would look like a brick house ass.
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fixitfixitstop 10:12AM (11/16/2009)
And you thought the thick D-pillar hurt visibility on the FJ Cruiser?
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pickles 10:14AM (11/16/2009)
Toyota needs to get cracking on this. The loyalty to the Prius 'brand' is amazing, and at this point, the only sales they're probably loosing to interested shoppers are those that veer elsewhere due to space/functional limits. They're diddling on it too long. With the writing on the wall (China and India's increasing use of gas at unprecedented growth) gas is never going to get cheaper.. Having just needed the functionality of a minivan, and renting a guzzler (but ok) Caravan a wagon or bigger vehicle engineered for mileage, not hauling yachts seems appealing.
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JDM Life 10:49AM (11/16/2009)
I agree.
The Pruis should be its OWN brand. The amount of people behind the Pruis is astonishing.
Toyota really knows how to market I give them that.
J Who 10:43AM (11/16/2009)
Oh...my...GOD...Becky... Look at it's butt. It is SOOOOO big!
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JDM Life 10:47AM (11/16/2009)
mmmmmm this should be very interesting...
I wanna see a coupe if anything !
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JDM Life 10:50AM (11/16/2009)
Jeremaih
SHUT THE HELL UP. The Worse ass is a WHITE ass.
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JDM Life 10:51AM (11/16/2009)
Just another bitter white person......shame.
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JeremiahBWhite 11:19AM (11/16/2009)
Haha, my girlfriend is black dude.
You just got my best laugh of the day.
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J. Fisher 11:31AM (11/16/2009)
...........
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click_playaz 12:05PM (11/16/2009)
There are a lot of work for Toyota to do, because they will launch new 10 models next year. Hope to see some spec on The Eight-Six soon.
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cnn 3:17PM (11/16/2009)
look, okay, just admit it, come on u can do it, "the truth will set u free!" IT'S BUTT FRICK'N UGLY OKEY! that's it leave it alone and it may never come into existence that's the best case scenario
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P.V. 6:44PM (11/16/2009)
It only makes sense. Right now, the first thing that comes to people's minds when the word "hybrid" is said is "Prius"; Toyota wants to extend that to the point where people say "Prius" to mean any (even non-Toyota) hybrid car, like many people (excluding myself) refer to "tissues" as "Kleenexes". This is the first step towards that.
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caddy-v 7:36PM (11/16/2009)
A bit of good news from Toyota so all loyal Toy fans don't feel left out.
The now infamous sudden acceleration problem has been solved. Toyota will no longer have floor pans in their cars so no one can install faulty floor mats.
Also, all Toyota's will now be pre-rusted and pre-sludged at the factory so everyone will have a chance to enjoy the service department on an extended stay basis.
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fmwso 8:53PM (11/16/2009)
That's so ugly I almost puke.
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dak 8:09AM (11/17/2009)
lol is this a joke...toyota's version of the crosstour?...
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