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REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST

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.

Gallery: Geneva Motor Show: Toyota Hybrid-X concept

[Source: Yomiuri via Green Car Advisor]

REPORT: Toyota Prius wagon, SUV in the works originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Prius PHEV - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota's new generation plug-in hybrid Prius will be shown for the first time next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and now we've got some new images and details. As expected, the PHEV Prius will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid synergy drive system has been upgraded for the PHEV allowing the Prius to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 12.5 miles. The car can apparently accelerate all the way from a standing start in EV mode, although it's not clear how quick it will be. While doing this, the Prius apparently emits about 60 g/km of carbon dioxide. The range and emissions estimates are all based on the EU driving cycle, so the numbers should be a bit more realistic than the absurd Japanese 10/15 cycle.

The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium-batteried Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.

Gallery: Toyota Prius PHEV concept

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius

Frankfurt Preview: More on Toyota's new lithium-ion Plug-in Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 115 Plug-in Toyota Prius test cars fail to crack 50 mpg average in year-long test

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:29:00 EST

When Consumer Reports tested out the Hymotion L5 plug-in Toyota Prius conversion earlier this year, they weren't overwhelmed with the results. Sure, the mileage they observed was boosted to about 67 mpg over the first 35 miles of the drive, but that didn't match the claims of 100 mpg (or more) that Hymotion and A123 Systems make about their product.

To be fair to Hymotion, their qualifies mileage talk about their plug-in Prius MPG "that can achieve up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles" this way:

Hymotion PHEV fuel economy is based on independent testing performed at Argonne National Labs and Idaho National Labs. Actual mileage will vary based on each individual's driving style, route, traffic, climate conditions, terrain and other factors.

Unfortunately for Hymotion, there are new results of tests done at the Idaho National Laboratory now available and they might make the company a little less eager to promote the work done by INL. The lab drove two groups of Prius test vehicles (one 40-car fleet and another 75-car fleet) from early 2008 until March 2009 for almost 500,000 miles and found that the average fuel economy tallied 46 and 49 mpg, respectively. As you might expect, driving style and the battery mode (charge sustaining vs. charge depeleting) had a big impact on the figures. You can view the result data in these PDFs: 1, 2. Add it all up, and it sounds like PHEV proponents might want to take former Tesla marketing boss Darryl Siry's advice to electric vehicle manufacturers to heart.

What do you think - are plug-in hybrids the next big thing, an overhyped solution, or something in between? Drop us a line in the comments.

[Sources: Idaho National Laboratory; Hydrogen Car Revolution]

REPORT: 115 Plug-in Toyota Prius test cars fail to crack 50 mpg average in year-long test originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Prius starts at $21,000; one with everything costs $32,500

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:02:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Green, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Toyota has announced official pricing for the five (!) trim levels for the 2010 Prius, due to hit dealers in the States sometime in late May. The bare-bones version (which must be pretty bare, since Toyota hasn't divulged what's included) will be just $21,000. On the other end of the spectrum, the top trim level starts at $27,270 (add $750 to both prices for delivery), and the most you can pay for the new Prius this spring will be $32,520 for the V trim equipped with the Advanced Technology Package (ATP). Full details are available after the jump, but note that you can't get the ATP, which includes the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, the Pre-Collision System, Lane Keep Assist, and Intelligent Parking Assist, if you want the solar roof option.

As mentioned earlier, the $21,000 base price is important, since it is only $1,200 more than the new Honda Insight. The current, second-generation Prius starts at $22,000. For more on the third-generation Prius get the info overload and check out our First Drive.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius - First Drive

Continue reading 2010 Prius starts at $21,000; one with everything costs $32,500

2010 Prius starts at $21,000; one with everything costs $32,500 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Confirmed: This is the 2010 Toyota Prius

John Neff — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Spy Photos, Hybrid, Green, Toyota

Click above for gallery of the 2010 Toyota Prius

Jalopnik is reporting this morning that images published last night on the web of what appeared to be the next-generation 2010 Toyota Prius are, in fact, the real deal. Toyota PR reportedly confirmed to the website that what we're looking at is the same car that will be revealed in January at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. We've also included some spy shots in the gallery below that would seem to corroborate this.

As Damon pointed out last night, the new design is an evolution of the current model that incorporates some recent favorite styling cues of Toyota designers like the bulbous badge housing up front. The interior, however, is a marked step away from the current model's spaceship controls, and thankfully eschews that car's dash-mounted shifter for a new one properly placed on the buttressed center console. Mechanically speaking, the new Prius is expected to arrive with a more powerful gas engine, bigger electric motor and, despite continuing to use nickel-metal hydride rather than lithium-ion batteries, improved fuel efficiency. It is the Prius after all.

UPDATE: Toyota has confirmed publicly on its Open Road Blog that these shots are indeed the 2010 Prius.

Gallery: Confirmed: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: Jalopnik, Thanks for the spy pics, Jason and Merritt!]

Confirmed: This is the 2010 Toyota Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Rabbit gets a carrot from Consumer Reports

Chris Tutor — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Hatchback, Chevrolet, Dodge, Mazda, Pontiac, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen

If Consumer Reports is right, Volkswagen is well on its way to attaining its dream of outselling Toyota by 2015. In the magazine's June 2008 issue, CR threw a handful of hatchbacks into the ring and the VW Rabbit hopped out the winner. The magazine cited the Rabbit's "very well finished" interior for its class, agility, braking and transmission as reasons to choose it over a growing field of small hatchbacks. CR also expects the Rabbit to have an "above average" reliability record.

The biggest negative the staff found in the VW was "mediocre" fuel economy for a car its size, though many SUV drivers looking to downsize will love seeing its 24 mpg figure. Staffers also complained about the large C-pillars blocking their view and engine lag after stops.

Consumer Reports has routinely praised the Mazda3 as one of its favorite hatches, but in overall scoring, the car now comes in third, slightly behind the Toyota Prius Touring. Rounding out the top five are the Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and the newly redesigned Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe twins. At the bottom of the list are the Dodge Caliber and the Chevrolet HHR.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

VW Rabbit gets a carrot from Consumer Reports originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 May 2008 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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