Spy Shots: Next gen Prius interior snapped!
by Sam Abuelsamid on Aug 24th 2008 at 10:26AM 
Next spring will be a big one for hybrid fans as a new generation of the Toyota Prius will get its most direct competitor yet in the shape of a new hybrid only model from Honda. We've already seen an assortment of spy shots of the camo-covered exterior of the Prius. Now we have our first peak at the interior of the new best-seller. The third (or fourth depending on how you count) generation Prius will officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January along with a Lexus badged hybrid-only model. Although Toyota is loathe to relinquish details, it's believed the new model will have a larger, more powerful engine growing from 1.5 to 1.8L along with an electric motor with more oomph. The beefed up motor is likely in preparation for the plug-in variant that should go into low volume fleet service in 2010. To make the most out of a plug-in system, the hybrid needs enough electric power to propel the car at least around town without having to start the engine frequently.
[Source: World Car Fans]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
why not the LS2LS7? 12:14PM (8/24/2008)
I don't like the steering wheel. And I cannot comprehend why they are wasting console space on the shifter. The shifter was in the right place already. This isn't a sport car, no need for a console shifter, just put it on the column where it doesn't waste useful space.
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Tim 12:25PM (8/24/2008)
Perhaps someone can answer this question for me:
Why do cars with automatic transmissions have a shifter on the center counsel when it serves no purpose, adds to clutter, steals storage and cup holder space and is more easily bumped out of gear there?
It makes sense in a manual transmission setup, but this makes no sense to me when the car is an automatic when we only need buttons for [forward] [reverse] [neutral] and [park].
What's up with that?
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NDru 12:54PM (8/24/2008)
Plus the driver would have to look down to see the screen and aux controls. I don't think this is accurate.
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Patrickj 2:58PM (8/24/2008)
Another vehicle with a dumb, superwide front console that steals knee room for anyone over 5' 9".
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Andras Soltesz 3:21PM (8/24/2008)
I agree, the position of the shifter is screwed up. It is perfect in the current model, why did they change that?
Also the MFD is placed wrong (the screen). It should be where it is in the current model. At the same height as the top of the steering wheel, where you can see it with minimal turn of the head.
If this is the final version, it is much worse than the current model. I hope it is not.
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ryan 9:03PM (8/24/2008)
Unfortunately, there is a 99% chance that that is not a speculation shot, rendering, or anything related. I have very good reason to believe that what we are looking at is what the final product will be. Love it or hate it, you are looking at the interior of a 2009 Prius.
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Johari 6:19AM (8/25/2008)
Are you guys even looking at the larger version of the spy shot? This smaller version makes it look like the shifter is low to the floor, but it's actually sitting pretty high. There's an empty space underneath the shifter for storage. The MFD seems to be at level with the steering wheel as well. I think it's a definite improvement (stylistically) over the current gen's spartan (if not ergonomic) interior.
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Mirko 6:23AM (8/25/2008)
The center console/satnav looks a bit like in the Toyota Auris. Maybe they are trying to cut cost by giving the Prius a less unique interior.
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Torrent 6:38AM (8/25/2008)
That shifter is hysterical. It's so stubby.
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mike k. 9:30AM (8/25/2008)
This can't be real. I'd be really disappointed if they moved the shifter off the dash and into a center console that did nothing for you. I like the fact that I have open space right now at my right knee in my prius.
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STEVE 2:45PM (8/25/2008)
See how much you all complain when you're getting 65-80 mpg. Take a look at the bigger pics. Who cares where the shifter is, still looks like plenty of room to me.
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