Next-Generation Toyota Prius Promises Improved Mileage and Unique Styling

**Tideland Prius** · 05-23-2007, 11:23 PM

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota's top-selling hybrid sedan is headed for a redesign next year. The popular Prius four-door is expected to once again differentiate itself with unique styling and class-leading mileage.

Although our spy photo shows an evolutionary shape, it doesn't represent the final design. It was one of three designs Toyota was considering, but we've heard the final decision went to a more conservatively styled Prius more along the lines of the Hybrid X shown in Geneva this year.

Toyota officials have said recently that they hope to bring down the cost premium of hybrids while continuing to improve their efficiency. With new less-hybrid-friendly EPA testing procedures, the 2009 Prius may not show huge gains in its stated fuel economy figures, but its real-world numbers should improve beyond the current 40-45mpg range.

What this means to you: If gas prices continue to climb, the 2009 Toyota Prius could be the hottest new car on the market next year.

Source: Edmunds.com

gilahiker · 05-23-2007, 11:36 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 23 2007, 09:23 PM) [snapback]448711[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Although our spy photo shows an evolutionary shape, it doesn't represent the final design. It was one of three designs Toyota was considering, but we've heard the final decision went to a more conservatively styled Prius more along the lines of the Hybrid X shown in Geneva this year.

Source: Edmunds.com
[/b]

I looked at the photos on the Edmunds site and I gotta say that I don't like either one. I think the Hybrid X design looks like a puffier version of the Yaris. To my mind and eye, Toyota will have lost the nice clean, spare styling of the current Prius if they go with either one of the two shapes shown on Edmunds.

I just really like this generation of Prius, it speaks to my need for clean, spare, Finish/Scandanvian styling.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-23-2007, 11:41 PM

Well, it seems as though Toyota wants to stick with the hatchback design which is a good thing because I think the majority of PCers want the hatchback design kept. I can think of two people off the top of my head that want a sedan instead (you know who you are haha). Maybe Prius "A", "B" and "C" will have different bodystyles.

NoMoShocks · 05-23-2007, 11:57 PM

Hum, to me, the green one looks like they tacked the front of a 2006-07 Civic on the back of a Prius G2. Weird, but I always think that about new designs, and often end up liking them later.

**Tideland Prius** · 05-24-2007, 01:13 AM

I don't know what they meant by "conservatively styled" as the direction for the next Prius. Did they really want to "dumb" it down? I thought that's what the Camry's for - a conservatively styled hybrid heh.

SomervillePrius · 05-24-2007, 07:31 AM

Is it only me or is the spy-shot more "conservatively" looking then the hybrid-X?

I think the hybrid-x stands out and I like the design. The spy-shot looks like they let a 19 year old "civic" modder loose on a poor prius.

richard schumacher · 05-24-2007, 10:21 AM

The blue one? Gawd, I hope not! In the Edmunds photo it's as ugly as sin.

larkinmj · 05-24-2007, 11:22 AM

Whatever it ends up looking like- PLEASE, make it a plug-in!!!!!

**Tideland Prius** · 05-24-2007, 02:40 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 24 2007, 08:22 AM) [snapback]449051[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Whatever it ends up looking like- PLEASE, make it a plug-in!!!!!
[/b]

I second that!

jhinton · 05-24-2007, 05:47 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 24 2007, 07:31 AM) [snapback]448914[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Is it only me or is the spy-shot more "conservatively" looking then the hybrid-X?

I think the hybrid-x stands out and I like the design. The spy-shot looks like they let a 19 year old "civic" modder loose on a poor prius.
[/b]

What am I missing here. I see two "photos". One is a green computer generated image, the other photo of the blue Hybrid X. I see no spy-shot. A spy shot would be a photograph of a real car testing.

I like the hybrid X concept better, I'm glad they have gotten rid of the step from the hood to the windshield. Now if they would just put the engine in the back were it belongs I would be really happy. Lets hope they actually pay attention to aerodynamics this time too. For all its looks the Prius isn't very aerodynamic. It doesn't even have a $10 plastic undertray.

05-23-2007, 11:23 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota's top-selling hybrid sedan is headed for a redesign next year. The popular Prius four-door is expected to once again differentiate itself with unique styling and class-leading mileage. Although our spy photo shows an evolutionary shape, it doesn't represent the final design. It was one of three designs Toyota was considering, but we've heard the final decision went to a more conservatively styled Prius more along the lines of the Hybrid X shown in Geneva this year. Toyota officials have said recently that they hope to bring down the cost premium of hybrids while continuing to improve their efficiency. With new less-hybrid-friendly EPA testing procedures, the 2009 Prius may not show huge gains in its stated fuel economy figures, but its real-world numbers should improve beyond the current 40-45mpg range. What this means to you: If gas prices continue to climb, the 2009 Toyota Prius could be the hottest new car on the market next year. Source: Edmunds.com __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips Vision Plus 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Foglights, dash pods, leather seats, OEM rubber mats, BRABUS alum. handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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05-23-2007, 11:41 PM	#3
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Well, it seems as though Toyota wants to stick with the hatchback design which is a good thing because I think the majority of PCers want the hatchback design kept. I can think of two people off the top of my head that want a sedan instead (you know who you are haha). Maybe Prius "A", "B" and "C" will have different bodystyles.

05-23-2007, 11:57 PM	#4
NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 1,024 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hum, to me, the green one looks like they tacked the front of a 2006-07 Civic on the back of a Prius G2. Weird, but I always think that about new designs, and often end up liking them later.

05-24-2007, 01:13 AM	#5
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,932 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	I don't know what they meant by "conservatively styled" as the direction for the next Prius. Did they really want to "dumb" it down? I thought that's what the Camry's for - a conservatively styled hybrid heh.

05-24-2007, 07:31 AM	#6
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Is it only me or is the spy-shot more "conservatively" looking then the hybrid-X? I think the hybrid-x stands out and I like the design. The spy-shot looks like they let a 19 year old "civic" modder loose on a poor prius.

05-24-2007, 10:21 AM	#7
richard schumacher nacreous lacquer Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 4,131 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The blue one? Gawd, I hope not! In the Edmunds photo it's as ugly as sin.

05-24-2007, 11:22 AM	#8
larkinmj Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 1,996 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Whatever it ends up looking like- PLEASE, make it a plug-in!!!!!