More 3rd Generation 2010 Prius spy photos

[Danny]

2010 Toyota Prius Spied! - The Car Connection

[Tech_Guy]

Without the "gift wrapping" looks like a nice car. I want one!!!

Keith

[wchardin]

I think the shape of the car is a nice evolution of the Prius. I also like the wheels on the test mule. I wonder if those will be on the new Prius.

[David Beale]

Funny, that Toyota wraps in white plastic and Honda in black.
Or is it the other way around....?

So I wonder if this means the new model will come out early in 2009 (as a 2010 model) rather than Octoberish? The 2009 model will only last 4-6 months?

[Danny]

The 2010 will come off the production line in April of 2009, so yes, the 2009 Model will only be out there for around 6 months before the 2010 is out.

[mingoglia]

Here's a link to another site although it looks like much of the text is the same:
First Ever Shots of Next Gen Toyota Prius! Wagon and Convertible to Follow? | NextAutos.com and Winding Road

[TonyPSchaefer]

Them boys can wrap 'em good.

Are any Prii built in the US yet? Am I the only one wondering why they would ship a prototype to the US to wrap it up and drive it around?

[justlurkin]

I think that's just an '08 with A LOT of body panel mockups duct-taped on. Aside from the wheels, whatever isn't covered up with duct tape and cardboard looks like a Gen-II-- The windows and door frames, the location of the door handles (added side panels have obvious cutouts for the door handle locations), the rear hatch glass, the front grille, etc. all look like a Gen-II.

[mingoglia]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

Them boys can wrap 'em good.

Are any Prii built in the US yet? Am I the only one wondering why they would ship a prototype to the US to wrap it up and drive it around?

No, they aren't built here yet that I've heard of.... I think they're supposed to start a year or so after the new ones start rolling off the assembly line. Regardless, a prototype would be built in Japan.

It's my understanding that manufacturers want to drive the prototypes in the environments in which they'll be sold. For this reason we see a lot of prototypes in Arizona (and Southern California) as they can do their hot weather testing here.

[Plymouth Patrick]

Originally Posted by mingoglia

No, they aren't built here yet that I've heard of.... I think they're supposed to start a year or so after the new ones start rolling off the assembly line. Regardless, a prototype would be built in Japan.

It's my understanding that manufacturers want to drive the prototypes in the environments in which they'll be sold. For this reason we see a lot of prototypes in Arizona (and Southern California) as they can do their hot weather testing here.

I just had my dealer switch me from the 2008/09 list to the 2010 list. I was still #117 on the 2008/09 list, but now am #23 for the 2010 list. He said the overflow people from the 2008/09 list would be placed behind the already started 2010 list. Not sure I'd be too pleased with that from a 2008/09 list standpoint. This dealer mentioned that at the very least, the first half of all 2010 production models will be equipped with the Nickel battery technology. The fact that the first 2010 models will be equipped with the old, proven technology coupled with the body enhancements and short 09 production year solidified my decision to switch lists; I'm not fond of 1st year remods. Also happy to hear the 2010 Prius will be at the Minneapolis Auto Show.