REPORT: Upcoming Toyota Prius Coupe to get Italian design
Adding additional fuel to the ongoing speculation that Toyota will produce a sporty coupe version of its world-beating Prius hybrid hatchback is a new report from Japan's Best Car Magazine (via 4 Wheels News) that suggests the new model could be topped with a tailored sheetmetal suit courtesy of a famed Italian designer like Pininfarina or Italdesign Giugiaro.As is often the case with such rumors, Best Car has seen fit to include a rendering of what a two-door Prius may look like – which is (rather predictably) kind of like a half-melted lozenge – but there's certainly no indication that the actual car would look anything like this bit of rendered speculation.
If Toyota does indeed offer up a hybrid Prius Coupe, it would do battle with the upcoming Honda CR-Z, which is expected to debut in production form this fall at the Tokyo Motor Show. Previous reports had suggested that Toyota could either bump up the power of the 1.8-liter four cylinder powerplant from the Prius or switch to the 2.4-liter unit from the Camry Hybrid for its sporty coupe.
[Source: 4 Wheels News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jim 4:17PM (8/24/2009)
I WANT one maybe two, backseat???
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wincros 4:22PM (8/24/2009)
Hopefully they will also let the Italians do the interior and tune the suspension as well. And maybe they can pursuade Toyota to inject some feeling into the steering.
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paulwesterberg 4:28PM (8/24/2009)
Why transform the prius into overpowered ricer coupe with poor mileage?
If they want a powerful eco friendly two door "sports" car they should put in a bigger electric motor, a larger lithium battery pack and get rid of the gas engine.
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skierpage 7:11PM (8/24/2009)
"Why transform the prius into overpowered ricer coupe with poor mileage? "
According to Consumer Reports, the most fuel-efficient "Sporty" car is the Mini Cooper at 28/37 mpg (city / highway) and 0-60 in 9.1 seconds; for only a few MPG less the excellent Cooper S races there in 7.2 s. A Prius Coupe using the existing powertrain would get 50% better mileage but worse 0-60 (9.8 s) unless it was much lighter than a Prius. If it used the Camry/Lexus HS 250h powertrain it would probably only get slightly better mpg than the Mini and comparable 0-60 (8.7), though it's a bigger car. If I ruled Toyota I would build the Prius coupe to get identical MPG as the Prius 5-door, and it would be a niche alternative just like Accord sedan/coupe.
"If they want a powerful eco friendly two door "sports" car they should put in a bigger electric motor, a larger lithium battery pack and get rid of the gas engine. "
Sure, and have it cost $50,000 or so. The Prius battery is only 1.3 kWh! Tesla Roadster has 53 kWh and to get its performance and range the car needs $$$$ aluminum chassis and carbon fiber panels to reduce weight. Physics is a harsh mistress...
Shock Me 4:34PM (8/24/2009)
I should have known it was a fantasy concept when I said to myself: "Wow! Finally a good looking Prius!"
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Chris M 5:58PM (8/24/2009)
Toyota already had Giugiaro design a gorgeous concept hybrid sports car for them, called the Volta. Unfortunately, Toyota appears to have removed all references to it from their website, but a little googling found several pics and references elsewhere. Now that would have turned heads and had sportscar drivers lining up to buy, but it never made it past concept stage.
If Toyota really wanted a hybrid sportscar as a serious CR-X contender, they'll have to use LiIon batteries to reduce weight and increase electric power. Hmm, might as well go "plug-in" while they're at it!
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gotsmart 8:29PM (8/24/2009)
Looks like an angry Paseo.
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Jerry Hightower 7:06AM (8/25/2009)
This is the first Toyota I've liked. The nostrils look out of place and need to be cleaned up and the tailights need to be in line with the crease in the shoulder line. Other than that, the exterior design is nice.
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farmer0904 8:52AM (8/25/2009)
it's pretty nice looking, I like the way it looks in the back and the belt line. Toyota should make it ! I would buy one assuming Toyota works out their reliability problems of late with all these recalls they are having . I remember my fathers 78 Toyota corolla . He had that little brown car untill he sold it with 248,000 miles on it , he used to say it took a licking and kept ticking. though now he owns a 2005 Hyundai elantra that he loves as much! he says it reminds him of that Toyota! though it only got 53000 miles but like his old toyota he says it takes a licking and keeps ticking and its still problem free. Hyundai should had never waited so long to make good cars because even though their as good as a toyota some people will always be too afraid to take a chance on Hyundai and thats a shame because Hyundai is really not your 80's and mid 90's Hyundai's anymore
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Mike 10:10AM (8/25/2009)
Dear Toyota,
Italdesign has a design for you. It's called the Allesandro Volta concept. Use it already.
Thanks,
Everyone
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Jimbo 10:22AM (8/25/2009)
That's the same front end as the new Tucson
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Rick 5:40PM (8/25/2009)
Looks like a Citrogen Volt.
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Choco Wolf 4:09PM (8/28/2009)
Are they gonna go ahead and include the (occasionally fatal) sudden-acceleration bug for additional driving excitement or is that feature only on the 5-door?
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