2010 Prius information & pictures from Car & Driver

[Danny]

C&D posted a new article this afternoon with mostly fluff, but it does include some new possible details on the 2010 Prius. Here are the highlights:

The 2010 Prius will be "tweaked mainly to answer minor customer beefs with the current jelly bean. It will be slightly larger, a bit more spacious inside, and trimmed with more luxury options. The engine will grow and become a tad snappier in its sprint while returning even better fuel economy."

In general, claims Toyota, customers are happy with the current car, so the basic five-door hatchback silhouette remains, and the changes have to do with details. The roof height will stay the same, but the nose, tail, and wheelbase will grow slightly, and the track will be wider. Larger, more extravagantly sculpted headlights will be highlighted by additional trim tinsel to brighten its smile. However, the front and rear views will remain familiar. Toyota wants people to recognize the Prius as a Prius.


The “Hybrid Synergy Drive,” with its twin electric motors and continuously variable planetary-gear transmission, will carry over as conceptually unchanged but with improved power from its electric motors anda larger 1.6-liter, Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder in place of the current 1.5-liter unit, which dates to the old Toyota Echo. Power output will rise modestly, though Toyota promises even better fuel economy than the current car’s 48-city/45-highway EPA numbers.

The price will float above the current $22,160 base price but only modestly. Expect a loaded Prius to top out $1000 or so above the $29,692 for a fully loaded 2008 Prius.

I've attached a couple of pictures. Note that these are "illustrations".

2010 Toyota Prius - Car News/Green Machines/Car Shopping/Hot Lists/Reviews/Car and Driver - Car And Driver

[McDonald]

Hmm, sounds good! (Except I still want my plug-in!)

[Tideland Prius]

hatchback? check
wider track? check

Thank you for listening, Toyota! Now let's see if they continue it inside with mult-adjustable seats (manual too, not just powered if that's an option).


Interesting that they'll use the 1ZR 1.6 litre instead of the Corolla's 2ZR 1.8 litre. This should prove even more fuel efficient!

[amped]

Thanks, Danny.

I've read posts here from many who wished for a smaller, lighter even more fuel efficient Prius (not me). I suspect they're making room for another HSD micromini to be sold as another Prius model.

I like the body sculpting on the new design, beltline accent, solar roof (I think), creature comforts and more power. I wonder if they'll finally introduce Valvematic and D4D, too.

[Tideland Prius]

more likely direct injection and dual VVT-i first. But hey valvematic would be nice.

[rfruth]

Looks good to me but is the 1.6-liter new or do other models already use that motor ?

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by rfruth

Looks good to me but is the 1.6-liter new or do other models already use that motor ?

It's a brand new unit under the ZR family. It's used in the Corolla elsewhere. We get the 1.8 litre version in our Corolla/Matrix/xD.

[carz89]

Assuming that the C&D "illustrations" are close to accurate, I think Toyota is smart to maintain most of the characteristic "prius look". More and more it appears that a significant feature attracting buyers to the Prius is it's recognizability. But, I'm hoping that they change two things that would modify the exterior appearance just a tad, but for good reasons:

1. Similar to the plans for Aptera's upcoming PHEV, add solar panels to the roof, mainly to power the vent fan to cool the car when parked on hot sunny days, and also to supplement charging the traction battery (won't help much there -- not enough photovoltaic real estate). Prius has a vast expanse of glass compared to other cars of similar surface area, and the inside can get extremely hot. Hey, the Prius has always been about leading the way in technology -- let's hope they keep it up. A solar-powered auto vent fan THAT WORKS is actually not that technologically advanced, I just have never seen one in a production vehicle.

2. Get rid of that damn cross bar in the back, or at least make it less obtrusive! It really does impede the rear view. With the state of technology in composites, polycarbonates and glass, I'll bet Toyota could design the vertical and sloped portions of the rear hatch to be one seamless window, all while maintaining similar strength and shape. If Toyota can't do it, I know Scotty from Star Trek can (transparent aluminum).

[joe1347]

Originally Posted by cjzito

Assuming that the C&D "illustrations" are close to accurate, I think Toyota is smart to maintain most of the characteristic "prius look". More and more it appears that a significant feature attracting buyers to the Prius is it's recognizability. But, I'm hoping that they change two things that would modify the exterior appearance just a tad, but for good reasons:

1. Similar to the plans for Aptera's upcoming PHEV, add solar panels to the roof, mainly to power the vent fan to cool the car when parked on hot sunny days, and also to supplement charging the traction battery (won't help much there -- not enough photovoltaic real estate). Prius has a vast expanse of glass compared to other cars of similar surface area, and the inside can get extremely hot. Hey, the Prius has always been about leading the way in technology -- let's hope they keep it up. A solar-powered auto vent fan THAT WORKS is actually not that technologically advanced, I just have never seen one in a production vehicle.

2. Get rid of that damn cross bar in the back, or at least make it less obtrusive! It really does impede the rear view. With the state of technology in composites, polycarbonates and glass, I'll bet Toyota could design the vertical and sloped portions of the rear hatch to be one seamless window, all while maintaining similar strength and shape. If Toyota can't do it, I know Scotty from Star Trek can (transparent aluminum).

Why not use a small solar panel to keep the engine and catalytic converter warm when the car is parked. I've noticed that my fuel efficiency drops quite a bit on short trips - with the engine apparently used to heat up the catalytic converter quickly in order to reduce emissions. So why not use solar power instead of burning gas to keep everything "warm" and hence improve 'short trip' fuel efficiency?

[Kapena Gary]

Thanks Danny,

Just joined a couple of days ago after spending around 3 hrs a day for 3 days searching for info on the Prius. I had been interested in the Cadillac CTS but I finally got wise and realized I need a Prius. It's the right size, the right price, and makes great environmental sense.

I've been very happy reading members' enthusiasm for their cars. I'm looking for luxury along with midsize and sensible mileage.

I'm going to wait and get on the waiting list for the 2010 model because of the rumors it will be a little larger, small improvement in mileage and a few more luxury items.

I'll be checking in often.

Thanks again,
Gary