Enter the rumormill: Prius minivan on the works?
Many reports forecast that hybrid powertrains will be present in all car segments in the coming years. But not much has been said about using hybrid powertrains in minivans (a few things here and there, but that's it). Since soccer moms (and dads!) could surely use savings at the pump, a rumor on Carscoop comes as a nice surprise: Toyota is planning a minivan that uses the Prius platform. Toyota offers a few compact minivans in Japan and has a very competent compact-size minivan called the Verso in Europe (pictured above). Any of these could serve as base for the model, although the rumor says that the car would be geared to the U.S. market. Compact diesel minivans are a hit in Europe and it's not likely that a hybrid gasoline minivan could gain a significant percentage of the market there.
[Source: Carscoop]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Luke 7:38PM (4/21/2009)
We need a definition of "minivan." Next Toyota will start calling the Yaris a "minivan."
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Evan 11:13PM (4/21/2009)
I've been waiting for Toyota to bring over the Estima hybrid, and I'm still waiting.
I'd jump all over a TD minivan.
Hey VW, why not bring back the Multivan instead of that dog of a rebadged Chrysler?
Mercedes, how about a Vito?
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Chris M 8:59PM (4/21/2009)
Toyota has been selling a hybrid Estima minivan in Japan for years now, but it is smaller than the Sienna minivan they sell elsewhere. I suspect they plan a larger hybrid version for export.
Toyota already has hybrid sedans, hybrid SUVs, and hybrid luxury cars. To fill out their hybrid lineup, they need a hybrid minivan, a hybrid sports car, and a hybrid truck - and something with a plug!
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NeilBlanchard 10:00PM (4/21/2009)
Hi,
The Verso, huh? Not to be confused with the Versa...
And it looks like a Matrix, I think.
Neil
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Tony 7:43AM (4/22/2009)
If toyota would ever consider making EV SUV or PHEV SUV or diesel hybrid SUV now that would be something to stimulate many buyers (me for example), but it won't happen so i may settle down with nissan x-trail 2009 diesel with 6MT.
Prius is the best hybrid in terms of fuel consumption but it can't go off road...
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BoneHeadOtto 8:07AM (4/22/2009)
Making a hybrid minivan makes far more sense than a hyrbid SUV. Mini-vans spend most of their time putting around town and are more aerodynamic than SUV so they already get better mileage on the highway. I guess the trick is how to add those batteries without looseing some of the practical features like the stow away rear seats.
We have a sienna and i have to say it is an excellent car. Far better than an SUV. Good power (0-60 in
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Sasparilla 2:56PM (4/24/2009)
Just looks like a slightly enlarged Matrix. I always associate a mini-van with the side sliding door (ala Mazda 5), this is just a big 5 door.
That said, a hybrid minivan in the Mazda 5 class would be a home run sales wise. Then Toyota should do a hybrid Rav 4.
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