2010 Prius: The shape of things to come from Toyota
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for a high-res image gallery
Toyota's Prius hatchback has long been something of a love-it-or-hate-it design. The sweeping roofline of the hybrid sedan may have been penned to maximize the car's ability to cut through the wind, but the shape is now instantly recognizable to the masses on street corners all around the world – so much so, in fact, that Honda was accused by some of ripping off the Prius' basic design for its latest Insight.
Love it or hate it, you'd better get used to seeing the styling cues of the latest Prius, since the 2010 model debuts a few new touches that are expected to infiltrate down the rest of the automaker's future line. Toyota global design chief Wahei Hirai calls the styling of the new Prius "free-form geometrics," and a few of the main bits that will spread across the automaker's line include the shape of the hybrid's sharply-creased corners and wheel wells, the slit-like front grille and a bolder, more pronounced hood badge.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius
[Source: AutoWeek]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Yikes 3:47PM (5/19/2009)
Looks to me like the Prius stole the shape from the original CRX. Only difference is the number of doors.
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Brent 6:59PM (5/19/2009)
Thats my baby in 10 days.... My silver Bff..... I think it's probly the most anticipation I've had for anything, period. Mine will have treatment coats tho, and front bumper chip guard-film. I'll be the only one in my town with one for my first 3 days.
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PeterG 5:55PM (5/19/2009)
Nice improvement over the old Prius.
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ozyran440 6:30PM (5/19/2009)
Meh, I think the concept looked much better:
http://www.mediabistro.com/agencyspy/original/toyota-prius-2009-03071.jpg
That one at least had style. This one looks like a chiseled egg, IMHO.
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Sam 8:49PM (5/19/2009)
Headlights scream "nissan"
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Charlene Blake 9:39PM (5/20/2009)
Please note one Toyota owner's website at http://www.toyotaoilgel.com. Hopefully, Toyota will resolve the engine oil sludge matter for all affected. Oil consumption in some of these vehicles is significantly increased, and many are failing emissions testing. This is quite the opposite of "going green." Follow "toyotasludge" at Twitter for updates.
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Art Vatsky 11:57PM (6/16/2009)
The new model does look better. I like the side view shape. But it still looks high and narrow and I wonder if wheel pants over the rear wheels would add to fuel economy or looks or both
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