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]

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!

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)]

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!!!

A glimpse of the new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

The latest issue of Best Car magazine has a very interesting cover showing all the important new Japanese models coming in 2011!!!

So, here is what's coming (... I am missing a couple of Nissan sedan models):

• Daihatsu's small car based on the concept e:S (earlier post)

• Honda Fit - aka Jazz - wagon (earlier post)

• Honda Freed Hybrid 

• Honda Insight (facelift with design cues from  FCX Clarity)

• Lexus CT (looks like a spicy version... a CT-F perhaps?) 

• Lexus GS-F (earlier post)

• Mazda CX-5 (Mazda's variant of the Ford Kuga)

• Nissan Tiida - aka Versa - (earlier post)

• Toyota FT-86 / Subaru 216A (related posts)
  

• Toyota Prius V (related posts)

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 teases with interior shot of upcoming Prius V

The Toyota Prius page at Facebook has another teaser image of the upcoming Prius MPV/tall wagon thing. This time, it's a shot of the console. Hm, no bad at all...

Hello Prius V!

We have already seen a rendering of the upcoming Prius V, as well as a puzzle that revealed the 3rd generation Prius with the Prius V behind it (earlier post), and now it's time for the real thing. So, this is it...

The Prius V is expected to make its debut in Detroit.

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