Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, has been urging his Japanese bosses to allow him to start a Prius subbrand for the US market.  It appears that new Toyota president Akio Toyoda has been listening.  According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, Toyota executives announced at a recent dealer's meeting in Las Vegas that they are considering offering new hybrid models larger and smaller than the current Prius hatchback.  Perhaps the Prius MR2 will be a reality?

Would you be interested in a hybrid with the exterior of a MR2 and the interior of a Prius?  The rumor mill is heating up lately with more news of the rumored Prius coupe that I told you about back in March.  The "Prius Coupe" will carry the same 1.8 2ZR-FXE engine that the 2010 Prius has, but it will bump up the horsepower to 136 ponies.  In order to compete with the upcoming Honda CR-Z, the Prius Coupe (MR2) will be a 2+2 seating configuration.

Will the MR2 classic Toyota coupe be re-born as a Prius Coupe? Toyota executive vice president Masatami Takimoto told Auto Express at the Geneva Motor Show. “We are aware of the fondness with which the MR2 is held in the UK and Europe, and are developing a small hybrid sports car. “

We have set a tough price point (expected to be around £20,000), as it will be easier to sell if it is affordable. It has to be fun to drive, too, which means the hybrid set-up must be different to the Prius’s, with greater responsiveness.”