Autoblog

Google allowed to test self-driving car on Nevada public streets

Zach Bowman — Wed, 09 May 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Safety, Technology, Hatchback, Toyota

Nevada has officially granted Google a license to test autonomous vehicles on public streets. The tech giant underwent demonstrations in both Las Vegas and Carson City to prove its vehicles are as safe or safer than those piloted by mere humans. The state requires two people to be in the test vehicles at all times, including at one occupant in the driver's seat and another monitoring the vehicle via an onboard computer. If anything goes wrong, the human "driver" can take over by simply applying the brakes or taking hold of the steering wheel.

As of right now, Google has only applied to license three vehicles. Each one will carry a red license plate with an infinity symbol. According to Bruce Breslow, Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles director, vehicles with autonomous capability could be on the road within three to five years. When that happens, the machines will wear green plates.

Google allowed to test self-driving car on Nevada public streets originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 May 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

Sebastian Blanco — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric

The Toyota Prius, the most popular hybrid in the world, was also the most popular plug-in vehicle in U.S. last month.

Compared to sales of the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf, which sold 1,462 and 370 units, respectively, the $32,000 Prius Plug-in quietly sold 1,654 copies in April, reports PluginCars. With such strong name recognition and pent-up demand for a Prius with a cord, this shouldn't really have been a surprise. But it still kind of is.

Toyota sold more Prius models in the U.S. last month than ever before in April (March 2012 was the Prius' best month ever), even though the number of selling days was short. The four members of the "Prius family" sold a combined 25,168 units, an increase of 126.9 percent compared to April 2011 (which was right after the Japanese tsunami). Overall, Toyota and Lexus sold 32,593 hybrids last month, 30,126 of them wearing the Toyota badge, 2,467 of them the upper-class Lexus models.

Last year, Toyota said it expects to sell 16,000-17,000 Prius Plug-in models in 2012. Since Toyota doesn't break out model numbers, we're not sure what the total is for the year thus far, but 1,654 plug-ins a month is enough for the company hit that target. Scroll down below for Toyota's official sales results.

Continue reading Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf

Toyota Prius plug-in sells 1,654 copies in April, beating Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 May 2012 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota looking for high-volume Prius assembly in U.S. by 2015

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Rumors that Toyota would some day build the Prius in the U.S. have bounced around for years, with a location in Mississippi often being cited as the most likely candidate. After that plan was officially scrapped in 2008, a new version of the same story returned in 2010 when a Toyota executive vice president said Mississippi Prius production could start up in 2016. Given the on-again, off-again history of the story, we weren't surprised when not much was officially said about the matter in the last two years. That changed today.

Koei Saga, senior managing officer in charge of drivetrain R&D at Toyota, has informed Automotive News that Toyota is now thinking of making the Prius in the U.S. by 2015 and wants to get hybrid drivetrain components - motors, inverters, batteries (likely lithium-ion packs) - from North American suppliers. The base fourth-gen Prius will probably still use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the batteries made in the U.S. might be li-ion.

A 2015 timetable means it is likely that America would make the fourth-gen Prius model, which is due around that time. The reason this story keeps coming back is because it makes sense to build the Prius in the States. Sales are strong here and expected to grow, so extra production somewhere will almost certainly be needed to meet demand. Plus, a strong yen means that Prius vehicles built in America would likely come at a lower cost to Toyota.

Toyota currently makes the Camry hybrid in the U.S. at its plant in Georgetown, KY. The question as to whether the U.S. Prius would be made there, at Toyota's Mississippi plant, at the Tesla plant in Fremont, CA (formerly known as NUMMI) - where rumors about Toyota and the electric car automaker building electric cars like the RAV4 EV have also floated around in the past - or somewhere else completely will need to be answered at another time.

Toyota looking for high-volume Prius assembly in U.S. by 2015 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another

Sebastian Blanco — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:45:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Etc., Toyota

How much do hybrid drivers really, truly like their cars? According to R.L. Polk, not all that much - at least not in 2011.

Polk has released a new hybrid loyalty analysis that concludes that only 35 percent of people who bought a hybrid bought another one last year. The data comes from car purchases made in 2011, and Polk found that Toyota Prius drivers are the most loyal, both to the gas-electric technology and to Toyota itself. Sixty percent of Toyota hybrid owners bought another vehicle from the automaker, even if it wasn't a hybrid. A recent J.D. Power Customer Retention Study found that the average brand loyalty was 49 percent, but that doesn't take powertrains into account.

According to Polk, forty-one percent of Toyota hybrid drivers choose to buy another hybrid (from any brand). Interestingly, when Polk took out these Toyota buyers from their results, hybrid loyalty rates dropped to "under 25 percent. However, in our book that's kind of skewing the numbers, since most hybrids sold in the U.S. are built by Toyota. When looking only at Honda hybrid drivers, for example, 52 percent bought another Honda and "just under 20 percent" purchased another hybrid (from any brand). The in-brand loyalty, says Brad Smith, director of Polk's Loyalty Management Practice, shows that hybrids "can certainly give a brand a competitive edge when it comes to attracting new customers."

What's perhaps most interesting is that changes in gas prices, "had little impact on hybrid segment loyalty," according to Polk. In the company's quarterly hybrid analysis from 2008 through 2011, loyalty rates ranged from 26.4 to 41.8 percent, but spent most of the time in the 30s. See more details of the study in the official Polk press release by scrolling below.

Continue reading One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another

One and Done: Study says most hybrid drivers don't buy another originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 10:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius C outsells monthly totals of Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf in three days

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:10:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota is pretty sure that its expanded Prius family will drive up sales of the world's best-selling hybrid, and the early sales returns indicate that the company is right, right, right.

After the Prius V sold about 8,400 units in the U.S. in the first ten weeks, the smaller, cheaper and more efficient 2012 Toyota Prius C is also getting a lot of attention. Toyota announced today that the C sold 1,201 units in just the first three days it was on sale. That's enough to make it "one of Toyota's fastest-selling vehicles," according to the automaker, which also pointed out that those three days of sales is more than either the Nissan Leaf or Chevrolet Volt sold all last month.

If anything, those 1,201 sales are not as impressive as the C managed in Japan (where it is badged 'Aqua') - Toyota obtained 120,000 orders in the first five days it was on sale, though it isn't immediately clear how many units have actually been sold. So far, the newly expanded Prius family has sold almost 10,000 units in the U.S. through the first half of March. This certainly points to the Prius franchise doing well in 2012. Last year in the U.S., Toyota sold 136,463 examples of its Prius Liftback (it sold 140,928 in 2010) and expects to sell 220,000 Prius models of all types here this year.

Continue reading Toyota Prius C outsells monthly totals of Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf in three days

Toyota Prius C outsells monthly totals of Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf in three days originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K*

Sebastian Blanco — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Toyota

During the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota said the new Prius C would start at under $19,000. Today, we learn that this is like a lesson from Obi-Wan: what Toyota told us was true, from a certain point of view.

The base level Prius C One's MSRP is indeed $18,950, but that doesn't include a $760 destination charge, and you can easily spend north of $23,000 for the top-of-the-line Prius C Four. Still, that's a raging deal for a car estimated to get a fuel economy rating of 53/46/50 miles per gallon (city/highway/combined) from the EPA. As Toyota is quick to point out, those numbers make the C the, "highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug."

As you might have surmised, there will be four trim levels for the Prius C and, unsurprisingly, some of the best features are only available on the upper ends. The Four, for example, is the only version that has fog lights and that can be optioned with 16-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels (all others make due with 15-inchers). Also, neither the One, Two or Three can be equipped with an important cold-weather feature: heated front seats. At least things like automatic climate control, Bluetooth phone controls and remote keyless entry all come standard. The Prius C goes on sale in March. Full details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K*

Toyota prices 2012 Prius C under $19K* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius camper conversion has us charging for the woods

Noah Joseph — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Hatchback, Toyota, Tokyo Auto Salon, Specialty, Design/Style

Love it or hate it, Toyota has done an impressive job with the Prius. What started as a single model has grown to a whole family, including the versatile new Prius V minivan. But for some even that won't prove enough space, so Japanese conversion outfit Campinn has developed this rather bizarre appendage for the standard Prius hatchback.

Unveiled this weekend at the Tokyo Auto Salon, this conversion turns the current Prius into a camping van of sorts, complete with convertible sofa-bed and overhead sleeping area. It's made of fiber-reinforced plastic and boosts the car's length to 196 inches and its height to 81.1, and comes complete with a skylight and a back door for slipping out un-noticed when people are gathered around the front gawking and laughing at what looks like a hybrid with a tumor.

Toyota Prius camper conversion has us charging for the woods originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000

Noah Joseph — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

C is for Cookie. At least, that's what the baking industry lobbyist known as Cookie Monster would have us believe. At Toyota they have another idea, where C is not for Cookie, it's not for Car and it's not for Compact. In the latest addition to the Prius family, C is for City.

What you're looking at is a new, smaller hybrid from Toyota, which is eagerly growing the Prius range from one four-door to include the Prius V (for Versatility), the Prius plug-in hybrid and this, the Prius C. It's both smaller and more affordable than the existing Prius range, while delivering superlative fuel economy figures. In fact, with a 50-mpg combined rating, the Prius C claims the best economy of any car this side of a plug-in EV.

Motivation is provided by a 1.5-liter four that, together with the electric motor, delivers up to 99 horsepower at peak (compared to the Prius liftback's 134hp). It's also more nimble than its bigger brother, and more affordable: when the Prius C reaches showrooms in the spring, it will wear a sticker price under $19,000. In the meantime, you can check out our gallery of high-resolution images from the show floor above, the stock images below and jump into the press release for more details.

Continue reading Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000

Toyota Prius C brings hybrid economy to the masses for under $19,000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Jan 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius GT300 coming to SuperGT

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Sedan, Toyota, Racing

We heard the rumors in Tokyo, but wouldn't believe it until we saw it. And here it is. Toyota will be replacing its Axio racer with a Prius for next year's SuperGT season.

The touring car Prius will reportedly run in the GT300 class against the recently released Subaru BRZ and Honda CR-Z, the latter of which - like the Prius - will use some kind of hybrid drivetrain in the championship. We don't have any hard details on the powertrain just yet, but expect more to be revealed sometime in January.

Toyota Prius GT300 coming to SuperGT originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you the new Toyota Prius C?

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

The upcoming Toyota Prius C has been unveiled in concept form, caught wearing a ton of camouflage and maybe whispered its new name to us (Aqua). But that doesn't mean we're not still interested in what will be the smallest and cheapest model in the Prius family when it arrives in 2012. Thankfully, CarScoop is here to help. A reader sent in a leaked brochure featuring what appears to be the production version of the little hybrid. The scans show off the C so nakedly we want to give it a modesty slip. Almost.

The production version of the Prius C - if that's indeed what we're looking at - loses a lot of the angular, sporty style of the concept, but it still carries a welcome refinement of the traditional Prius wedge. The biggest different is at the front end: the concept's striking headlights have been eliminated in favor of smaller versions of the Prius Liftback's instantly-identifiable lights. The rear end now blends the look of a standard Prius with a Nissan Leaf.

We like most everything about the concept better (see also: the wheels), but if Toyota can hit the speculated numbers - around 60 miles per gallon for around $20,000 - we'll take the highly efficient baby Prius no matter what it looks like. See more scans in our gallery or check out the whole brochure over on CarScoop.

Are you the new Toyota Prius C? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota goes creepy with new Prius People Person commercial

Autoblog Staff — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:02:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, Toyota

In the latest Prius family commercial by Toyota, actual actors, loads of computer animation and a miniature set combine to create the illusion of a Godzilla-sized man made of people. He then steps out of his house to find that his Toyota Prius has morphed into four vehicles: a regular Prius, Prius V, Prius C concept and Prius Plug-In. This is the end of Mr. People Person, as he quickly disintegrates, leaving only his size-bazillion shoes and a bunch of little people behind.

Toyota's narrative behind its Prius People Person ad states:

Not long ago, there was one model of Prius for everyone to share. But now that one Prius has become a family: There's one for everyone. There's the original one, the bigger one, the smaller one and the one that plugs in. They're all a little different, just like us.

We'd say the spot makes sense conceptually, but it's a bit over the top, and creepy to boot. See it for yourself after the jump and let the disintegration begin.

Continue reading Toyota goes creepy with new Prius People Person commercial

Toyota goes creepy with new Prius People Person commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Sep 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid returns 112 MPGe

Eric Loveday — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:01:00 EST

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

At the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota peeled back the sheets to finally reveal its 2012 Prius Plug-in production model.

Toyota describes the plug-in hybrid as the "greenest, most technically advanced Prius yet," and with an electric-only driving range of 14.3 miles, fuel consumption targeted at 112 miles per gallon equivalent and CO2 emissions listed at 49 grams per kilometer, we're inclined to agree with the Japanese automaker's bluster.

Unlike currently available Prius hatchbacks, the plug-in version is rechargeable using an electrical connection, rather than only from electricity generated while the vehicle is in motion. Toyota says that after the Prius Plug-in's 4.4-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is depleted, the vehicle seamlessly switches to hybrid mode. The Prius Plug-in can be fully recharged in less than 1.5 hours.

On the performance front, the plug-in Prius cranks out 134 horsepower, which Toyota says is sufficient to propel the hybrid hatch from nought to 62 miles per hour in a leisurely 10.7 seconds and onward to a top speed of 112 mph.

Toyota says sales of the Prius Plug-in will start in early 2012 - mainly in Japan, the U.S and Europe - and anticipates annual volume of 50,000 units. The Japanese automaker has yet to announce pricing for the 2012 plug-in, but some reports claim the automaker is targeting a sub-$30,000 price tag.

Hit the jump to read Toyota's zillion-word release detailing the world's most technically advanced Prius and be sure to check out our live shots from Frankfurt in the high-res image gallery.

Continue reading 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid returns 112 MPGe

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid returns 112 MPGe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Sep 2011 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Toyota Prius Plug-in to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

Autoblog Staff — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST

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

Lots of people have been waiting for this news: The production version of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid will make its world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.

Toyota says the Prius Plug-in is the next "major milestone" in the automaker's 40-year quest for sustainable mobility (so, what's the RAV4 EV, then?). The plug-in hybrid sedan features a newly designed, compact lithium-ion battery that enables the pluggy Prius to achieve a remarkably low fuel consumption rating of 2.2 liters per 100 kilometers (107 miles per gallon U.S.) and CO2 emissions of just 49 grams per kilometer.

While the Japanese automaker will continue to focus on hybrid vehicles without a plug, Toyota says the Plug-in Prius is its "flagship" that showcases the latest developments in hybrid-drive technology. It also says that the car's value and fuel-sipping abilities combine to make it the "ultimate eco car."

We'll bring you more details on the production version of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid when it takes the stage in Frankfurt.

Continue reading Production Toyota Prius Plug-in to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show

Production Toyota Prius Plug-in to debut at Frankfurt Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota says Prius plug-in is "27-percent better than an equivalent diesel"

Autoblog Staff — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Europe, Technology, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric

With the Toyota Prius plug-in set to launch in early 2012, now's the perfect time to dive into the interim results from the cars' trials in London. Here are some details straight from Toyota:

Average journey distance has been 7.3 miles, with 59 percent of all journeys covering between 3.1 and 12.4 miles
Average speed has been 17.7 miles per hour, with 69 percent of journeys at speeds less than 18.6 mph
Initial fuel consumption data indicates performance is 27 percent better than an equivalent diesel
Average recharging time is 72 minutes
Where drivers have access to a domestic charge point, more frequent recharging occurs
Twenty-two percent of drivers have even been able to drive further than the official 12.5-mile range in EV mode.
Electric-powered driving so far has accounted for one third of all miles driven in the PHEV demonstration.

Working in partnership with EDF Energy, Toyota leased 20 third-generation Prius plug-ins to London-based businesses and organizations to monitor vehicle performance and recharging patterns. Details of journey times, speeds, distances, fuel usage and recharging habits have been logged and analyzed to compile useable data. The three-year trial kicked off last summer, meaning that these interim results are from less than one year of real-world use.

Continue reading Toyota says Prius plug-in is "27-percent better than an equivalent diesel"

Toyota says Prius plug-in is "27-percent better than an equivalent diesel" originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Videos, Toyota, Celebrities, Humor

Steve Nash: Phoenix Suns point guard, seven-time NBA All-Star, two-time MVP award winner and true competitor. Just how competitive is Mr. Nash? The man thinks of everything in life as something you can win. Case in point, Nash will push his Toyota Prius to beat an old lady into a parking spot if it means he can chalk up another "victory."

How does he celebrate the win? By shoving it in Grandma's face. Rejected! Click past the jump for the clip.

Continue reading NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance

NBA's Steve Nash does Toyota Prius parking dance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 16:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hybrids rejoin California gridlock as HOV stickers expire today

Autoblog Staff — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:56:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Government/Legal

The vehicles are no longer novel, their yellow stickers have faded from years of exposure to the sun and, after six years of enjoying the privilege, it's now time for California's hybrid owners to suffer with the rest of us in the state's traffic-clogged non-High Occupancy Vehicle lanes.

Starting today, July 1, some 85,000 yellow stickers issued to owners of certain hybrid vehicles in California expire. Now these hybrids have to fall in line with gas-guzzlers, truckers and the millions of other vehicles that sit at a dead stop in the "regular" lanes of California's highways and watch in envy as carpoolers whiz by at 55-plus miles per hour in dedicated HOV lanes.

Only three hybrid vehicles - Toyota Prius, Honda Insight and Honda Civic Hybrid - qualified (rated 45-plus miles per gallon) for the yellow stickers. Now, owners who choose to cruise solo in HOV lanes in those gas-sipping hybrids will face steep fines.

Hybrids rejoin California gridlock as HOV stickers expire today originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota announces Plus Performance Package for Prius hybrid

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Prius Plus Performance Package - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sure, you want to save the environment (or a few bucks on gas), so you go out and buy a Toyota Prius. Starting that day, you'll been missing a bit of sport in your life. Toyota wants to help you out. The automaker has announced the release of the Prius Plus Performance Package, and TRD had a hand in the creation of the components.

This is a limited-edition Prius, which is being offered with a choice between four exterior colors: Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black and Winter Gray Metallic. That paint work is also applied to the seven-piece aero kit. The Prius Plus Performance Package bodywork is comprised of front and rear lower spoilers, side skirts and a rear diffuser. It adds a touch of aggressiveness but also helps lower the car's coefficient of drag.

This sportier (don't laugh) Prius sits lower than the standard car, with a drop of 1.1 inches up front and 1.3 inches in the back. That lowered stance helps set off the 17-inch forged alloys that are snugly wrapped by a set of low-rolling-resistance 215/45R17 tires. A rear sway bar helps reduce body lean, and unique badges (surprisingly, not good for any horsepower gains) alert the neighbors that your Prius is a tick meaner than theirs.

This package will be offered for any existing Prius model. New Prius shoppers can add it on from the get-go by paying an extra $3,699 over the sticker on the Prius Two, Three and Four, or an extra $2,999 for the Prius Five. Interested? You can place your order starting this July. Click past the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Toyota announces Plus Performance Package for Prius hybrid

Toyota announces Plus Performance Package for Prius hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Prius rap video takes to cruising Whole Foods parking lot

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:14:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Etc., Videos, Hatchback, Toyota, Humor

Whole Foods Parking Lot - Click above to watch video after the jump

Turns out, you can spin the whole "cashed up greenie" bit into a few minutes of enjoyable parody rap. Don't believe us? Check out "Whole Foods Parking Lot," the first project from the Fog and Smog collaborative, which pokes fun at the entire ecosystem of hybrids, Smart cars and overpriced vegetables. Oh, and those little shopping carts.

Fog and Smog is based in both the San Francisco Bay Area (fog) and Los Angeles (smog) and these fun-loving artists (they have day jobs as composers, film editors, producers, designers, deejays, animators and photographers) are either regular customers - or maybe they just date some.

Check out the Toyota Prius-driving video (a bit NSFW) after the jump, and if you're looking for more, check out similar classics *ahem* by Casual Mafia ("In My Prius"), Grynch ("My Volvo"), J Brave ("Dipping In My Tesla"), and of course, Toyota and its own "Swagger Wagon" spot. There, you'll find plenty of proof that comedy rap videos starring unlikely vehicles are nothing new; and that they're not always a good thing.

Continue reading New Prius rap video takes to cruising Whole Foods parking lot

New Prius rap video takes to cruising Whole Foods parking lot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota Prius PHEV to feature selectable EV mode, full regen

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Toyota, Electric

Plug-in Prius Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Toyota has been showing off its plug-in hybrid Prius since it debuted in concept form at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Japanese automaker is getting ready to deliver the 2012 production version, and we just found out that it will have some significant changes over the prototype versions we've seen so far.

The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle boasts two unique features; a selectable EV driving mode, and the ability to apply recaptured energy to the electric-only driving range.

The selectable EV driving mode will be quite useful for trips requiring the use of a highway or that cover longer distances than simple in-town errand running. This will allow Prius PHEV drivers to conserve energy for electric-only jaunts. A button will allow you to turn the EV mode on or off.

Any run-of-the-mill Prius hybrid uses regeneration to replenish the battery. In the protoptye PHEVs, no more energy can be recaptured and stored for later use than the regular non-plug-in model. That means there was no way to extend EV-only range without plugging back in. On the production version of the Prius PHEV, the car will be able to take advantage of that regenerated energy, and extend the time the car can spend in EV mode.

2012 Toyota Prius PHEV to feature selectable EV mode, full regen originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Honda Civic Hybrid no match for aging Toyota Prius in sales

Autoblog Staff — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:02:00 EST

Filed under: Earnings/Financials

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Though its miles per gallon rating rings in at 44/44/44 (that's city/highway/combined), the all-new 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid is still no match at the pump for the third-generation, 51/48/50 mpg Toyota Prius that debuted as a 2010 model year vehicle. Sure, the 2012 Civic Hybrid is more fuel-efficient than its predecessor, but it doesn't trump the Prius, and that's a shame considering that the new Honda hybrid now packs a sophisticated lithium-ion battery pack and a reworked electric motor that's more powerful than the old unit.

So far, sales of the 2012 Civic Hybrid have been rather sluggish (Honda reports that sales hit 389 through the end of May). That's due in part to the vehicle's limited availability because of quake-related supply issues. However, with a sticker price that starts at $24,800, the 2012 Civic Hybrid is $1,920 more than a base Prius, which begs the question: can Honda's costlier hybrid - one that's not even as fuel efficient as the Toyota - actually compete?

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid no match for aging Toyota Prius in sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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