Toyota unleashes 2010 Prius Modellista aero kits
2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits - Click above for an image gallery
To coincide with the official launch of the 2010 Toyota Prius in its home market of Japan, the automaker has unleashed a whole slew of styling and performance upgrades through Modellista, its in-house tuning arm. There are three separate kits available that offer varying levels of flair: Modellista Versions 1 and 2 and an Aero Tourer Kit. We're not so sure the exterior bits from the Aero Tourer kit actually improve the car's looks any, but perhaps they improve its already stellar aerodynamics somewhat.
Questionable aesthetics aside, there's also a few aftermarket bits that could potentially improve the car's performance, like optional 16" alloy rims and a new set of springs that lower the car's ride height by 20 millimeters. At this point, it's not expected that Toyota will import any of these kits outside of Japan, but, if you're really interested, there's always eBay.
Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius Modellista kits
[Source: Modellista via Le Blog Auto]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt 9:10AM (5/22/2009)
I'm painting mine yellow; license plate... PIKACHU
Reply
Gary 11:27AM (5/22/2009)
This makes as much sense at putting a spoiler on a pickup truck.
Reply
downtoearth 12:17PM (5/22/2009)
Why?
What's wrong with the Prius getting some modded look?
MIke!!ekiM 12:24PM (5/23/2009)
None of them look like they add any aero benefit.
Where are the fender skirts?
Reply
Kevin 2:34PM (5/22/2009)
Gotta' say... that makes the arse-ugly Prius look decidely less so.
I still wouldn't be caught in one.
Reply
Noz 4:21PM (5/22/2009)
That's really too bad.
Kevin 4:58PM (5/22/2009)
Why is that too bad?
IMO it's a butt ugly car. And for my purposes it's entirely useless as well.
Noz 2:33AM (5/23/2009)
You have a picture of a butt-ugly WRX STI....so I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Nonetheless, the new Prius looks better than the outgoing model and this kit improves it. The car has a function to meet and it does so.
What exactly do you do with your cars that a Prius can't do? I guess if you need to haul things every single time you get into a car, I can understand. Wait....no I can't.
Kevin 8:47AM (5/23/2009)
Yes, it's subjective. But I'd bet my car that I could show a thousand people and STi and a Prius and ask which looks better and the STi would win. Aside from actual Prius owners I've never met anyone who thought they were nice looking. Like all Toyota's, they are dull & boring. (And for the record I also own a Toyota... it's a great car, but about as interesting as a trip to the dentist.)
As for what it can't do...
Well, with just 110 hp (and weighing nearly 4000 pounds) it can't get out of it's own way for starters.
It's not all wheel drive, which given where I live and the responsibilities of my job, is another point against it.
On the highway, where I do the vast majority of my driving, it's not all that efficient and can easily be beat by most turbo diesels in it's class.
And in spite of all those flaws it still only gets an 8 on the EPA Air Pollution score, while an AWD PZEV from Subaru can score a 9.5.
As I said, hardly worth the effort, especially at it's current price point.
Oh, it's utterly useless on a race track, which also doesn't suit me either.