Toyota Prius C makes its official debut

Toyota will make the market's most proven hybrid technology available to subcompact car shoppers with a starting MSRP below $19,000.

The Prius c relies on a 1.5-liter in-line, four-cylinder gasoline engine that utilizes an Atkinson cycle to increase efficiency. This engineproduces 73 horsepower and 82 lb.-ft. of torque, contributing to a total hybrid system output of 99 hp.

The Prius c's hybrid system utilizes a 144-volt nickel-metal hydride battery pack that has been located under the rear passenger seat, near the center of the vehicle, and low in the chassis to help improve the center of gravity.

Latest info about new Toyota Prius C

Back in January, both BC and Mag-X provided some early info about the upcoming Toyota Prius C (earlier post) and now it's time for another rendering, which is the latest impression by Best Car. According to the article, its price is expected to be around ¥ 1,500,000 and it will achieve a fuel efficiency of 44.0 km/L (10.15 mode - 40.0 km/L under the JC08 cycle). The Prius C is expected to be launched in 2012.

Toyota to equip Prius+ with Li-Ion battery hybrid system

The Prius V (earlier post) was presented at Detroit and it featured 5-seats and the nickel-metal battery hybrid system of the standard Prius. The Prius V was also presented at the Geneva this week, but its name was changed to Prius+, while it featured three rows of seats (with a total capacity of seven passengers) and it was equipped with a Li-Ion battery hybrid system.

So, now the big question is what will be Toyota's approach for the Japanese Domestic Market.  A Nikkei story via Reuters informs us that both versions will be available there. The article contains the first pricing predictions we’ve seen for the newest Toyota. While the least expensive current Prius in Japan is the Prius “L” with a base price of ¥ 2,050,000, they expect the 5-passenger Prius wagon with NiMH batteries to start at ¥ 2,350,000 and the 7-passenger Prius wagon with Li-ion batteries to start at ¥ 3,000,000.

An official English-language Press Release from Toyota Japan also notes that the Prius wagon will go on sale there in late April 2011, ahead of the late summer 2011 U.S. release of Prius V and the “first half of 2012″ on-sale date for Prius+ in Europe.

[Source: Kaizen Factor]

More info about Toyota Prius C

Yesterday, I posted some info about the upcoming production version of the Prius C Concept (earlier post), which was shown at the Detroit Motor Show, and now I've some more info from the latest BC issue.  BC claims also that the Prius C will achieve a fuel efficiency of 44.0 km/L and the dimensions mentioned are exactly the same as the ones published by Mag-X.

From what I could make out of the text, Toyota will use a modified version of the current hybrid system, in order to reduce the cost and maintain the proven reliability. The car will be able to accommodate four adults and as you can imagine, don't expect any thrills with just 76 ps and 11.7 kgm of torque. It is expected to cost around ¥ 1,590,000.

Toyota Prius C coming in November 2011

Expect the production version of the Prius C Concept (earlier post) to be revealed in November 2011, with total dimensions (length x width x height) of 3,800 x 1,690 x 1,500 (mm). Since aerodynamics play an important role, the target Cd value is 0.27 and an improved version of the THS-II hybrid system will be fitted. A newly developed 1.5 L engine using the  Atkinson cycle will enable the new model to achieve a fuel efficiency, under the 10.15 mode, of 44 km/L.

[Source: Mag-X via CarSensor]

More photos of spicy Prius G's Concept!

Out of all Gazoo Sports concepts presented at the Tokyo Auto Salon, I found the Prius G's as the most interesting one...

More photos after the jump!

Toyota Prius and Vitz G's concepts presented at 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon

Latest rumour suggests a Prius pick-up...

I guess people have started to get overexcited with the Prius family… but in any case, the latest rumour is that a pick-up might joint the Prius family in the future.

Bob Carter's answer to this was “possibly, if it meets the criteria. It’s not off the table, but nothing is decided at this point.”

Toyota Prius Plug-in to go just 13 miles on battery power alone...

I was watching the press conference (via live streaming) and what really caught my intention was that the new Prius Plug-in, which will use a Li-Ion battery, will get only 13 miles in EV mode at speeds up to 60 mph! Hmm, does it really worth paying more for the plug-in version for just 13 miles???

Anyway, it will go on sale during the first half of 2012 in 14 East/West coast states (national rollout within a year after the initial launch).

New Toyota Prius C Concept

OK, following the first live photos (earlier post), here we go with the official ones.

Toyota promises that it will be the most fuel-efficient hybrid without a plug and will be the most "value-oriented hybrid" in the US.

More photos after the jump!

Official images of new Toyota Prius V

The new Prius V will feature the new Entune multimedia system and as I mentioned in my earlier post, it will be available with a lightweight resin moon roof with retractable sunshades, boasting a 40% reduction in weight compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size.

More photos after the jump!

Prius C Concept reveiled at Detroit

... now Toyota gets more exciting. This a concept of the upcoming new member of the Prius family, which will go into production in the first half of 2012. 

[Source: Twitter (highmileage)]

First live photo from Prius V's unveiling at Detroit!

So, this is the first live photo from the unveiling of the new Prius V at Detroit! Oh, and V stands for Versatility...

Not really surprised in terms of styling. Same bits with the "normal" Prius and almost the same footprint. Interesting facts: seating for five; 40 mpg combined fuel consumption; it will come with a standard lightweight resin sunroof.

[Source: Twitter (highmileage)]

Prius vs... Sheep!

Hmm, that's the Prius ad by Toyota's Israeli arm! Apparently, the Prius is less harmful than a sheep when comparing the "emissions" of both...

[Source: Copyranter via Autoblog]

A glimpse of upcoming Prius V, Fit Wagon & facelifted Fairlady Z (370Z)

New BC issue will be out soon and the front cover shows three upcoming models: The new Prius V to be unveiled at Detroit this month, the upcoming Fit Wagon (earlier post) and what appears to be the facelifted Nissan Fairlady Z (aka 370Z)!

Check out my blog soon, as some very interesting material is underway straight from Japan!!!

Toyota Prius surpasses Corolla's sales record in Japan

Almost one month ago, it was reported that the last-gen Toyota Prius has sold more than 300,000 units in Japan (earlier post) and now that 2010 is over, the final number is 315,000 units (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)!!!

[Source: SankeiBiz; Source of photo: Fukuoka Toyota]

Plug-in tech: Honda vs Toyota

Following the announcement of the second testing program in Japan (earlier post), Honda has disclosed details of the EV and PHV that will be tested.

The PHV is based on the JDM Inspire and it is equipped with a 2.0 L engine using the Atkinson cycle. The powertrain consists also of two motors and a Li-Ion battery. One of the motors has a maximum output of 120 kW and is used to drive the vehicle and regenerate energy. The other is used as a generator that can generate about 100 kW of electricity.

This system is different from Toyota PHV due to the use of two motors, and it can independently operate the engine and the motors. As a result, it becomes possible to drive the vehicle (1) as an EV only by electricity, (2) as a hybrid vehicle by using the engine and the motors and (3) as a gasoline vehicle by using only the engine.

Toyota to reveal Prius V and concept previewing Prius C at Detroit

Toyota will reveal its family of Prius hybrid vehicles at Detroit next month. In total, four models will be shown: the standard Prius, the plug-in hybrid Prius, the new Prius V (earlier post), and a new Prius concept car. The concept car will preview the upcoming Prius C (earlier post) and it is expected to be smaller than the standard model.

Toyota Prius sells more than 300,000 units in Japan in 2010

The last-gen Toyota Prius has proved to be very successful in Japan, as sales have passed the 300,000 unit mark in 2010 (the Corolla set the record 20 years ago in 1990, selling 300,008 units)! The Prius is the best-selling model in Japan for the past year and a half.

Toyota officially outlines eco-car plans & battery research progress

Following the post about Toyota's "eco" future lineup, the company has now officially announced details of its plans for “eco-car” development and launches (confirming what has already been posted), as well as the progress in next-generation secondary-battery research.

1. Hybrid Vehicles: TMC plans to introduce 11 models by the end of 2012, consisting of all-new models and redesigned models.  Of the planned new models, one is a compact with fuel efficiency in excess of 40 km/L under the 10-15 Japanese test cycle.

2. Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles: By early 2012, TMC plans to begin sales of a “Prius”-based PHV, mainly in Japan, the United States and Europe.  Sales are targeted at more than 50,000 units annually, and the price for Japan is expected to be in the 3-million-yen range.

3. Electric Vehicles: In 2012, in addition to the U.S. market, an iQ-based EV will also be introduced in Japan and Europe.
• Launch preparations call for road trials in Japan, U.S., and Europe starting in 2011.
• Launch in China is also being considered, with road trials planned for 2011.

Separately, the “RAV4 EV” concept, which was developed jointly with Tesla Motors, will be on display until November 28 at the Los Angeles Auto Show in Los Angeles, United States.