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.

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]

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!

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)]

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.

Prius V and C to be the new additions to the Prius family

You might already know that Toyota will be releasing two new Prius models into dealership showrooms by the end of 2012, and you might also know that those two models are going to be a MPV-style wagon and a smaller, compact sized Prius. According to PriusChat's anonymous dealer tipster, the names of the two new Prius models are the Prius V and the Prius C.

Guests at the 10th Anniversary celebration for the Prius (U.S.) put together the puzzle pieces that revealed the 3rd Generation Prius with the Prius V behind it.

Source: PriusChat