Toyota Prius to get smaller! No bigger! Oh, let's just build them all!
Click on the photo for the Toyota Hybrid-X concept gallery
With a new third-generation generation of the Toyota Prius due to be released sometime in 2008, it looks like the lineup is going to expand. Rather than just one car, there is expected to be a smaller Yaris sized model, a second model similar in size to the current Prius and a third larger model. Between these three cars and the rest of the Toyota and Lexus hybrids, they expect to reach one million annual hybrid sales by sometime around 2010. By the time that happens Toyota expects to have reduced the cost of the hybrid system to parity with conventional drivetrains. If Toyota can achieve that they should be able sell a lot more hybrids without having to depend on tax credits which are being phased out on some hybrid models.
[Source: Reuters and Automobile]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Rick 5:06PM (5/11/2007)
Few comments 1) Smaller than the Prius!? Wow, I thought the Prius was already pretty small, I can't imagine a smaller car than that. Yaris doesn't seem that much smaller to me. 2) I hate the Hybrid-X concept and hope they were playing fantasy and not actually planning on using this for inspiration designing their production model.
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mikeinBuilding7 7:30PM (5/11/2007)
Looks good to me, but, I like aero-dynamic looking cars.
Remember, they've got to optimize wind resistance - drag.
- Will it have a Plug?
- Will it have a solar panel on the roof option?
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dygituljunky 8:22AM (5/12/2007)
I hope Toyota does not take much design inspiration from the Hybrid-X Concept. This is one of the ugliest concept cars I can remember seeing.
I do hope to see a hybrid with optional diesel, hydrogen ICE, and/or CNG.
I would like to see a really small commuter car ... perhaps a US roadworthy Kei car hybrid. I wonder if the small "Prius" will come in a (good looking) coupe form.
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Matt Peckham 3:52PM (5/14/2007)
Reading the other article, they appear to have names of A, B, and C...
How about instead, the AA, C, and D?
Now that would be a good wink in the right direction. And it even works as far as capacity.
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