Toyota to release 2 different Prius-es to US & Europe

[Danny]

We're less than a week away from the big reveal of the 2010 Prius, and I can confirm some rumors that have been going around about Toyota producing 2 different engines for the Prius depending on what part of the world you live in.

The information I have received shows that the US (& Canada?) will be receiving a Prius with a 1.8 liter engine, bumping up the HP to 100 for the gas engine and 160 overall including the electric motor. However, Europe (and perhaps the rest of the world) will be receiving a toned-down version of the Prius, keeping the engine size at 1.5 liters and bumping the current horsepower from 110 to probably around 125.

Hopefully next week we'll hear some hard numbers on how the 2 engines will compare in MPGs.

So, how many more MPG will the EU Prius have to get for you to look into importing one?

[Paradox]

Is having more power nice? Yes.

But, I bought a Prius for gas mileage not power. If I wanted power I would have kept my Camaro SS...

So I for one wish they would have went with the smaller engine for us if it does in fact yield higher mpg's...

[Boo]

I think the current Prius has enough zip.

So I'd rather have the new European engine, but don't think I'm willing to pay for it.

Would rather Toyota just go with the European engine everywhere.

[patsparks]

I would like the 1.8 to come to Australia as long as I can tow a small trailer with it. Do that Mr Toyoda and I'll be itching to buy one, I could even buy my first ever brand new car!!

[TonyPSchaefer]

I believe the current Prius is peppy enough. So I agree with Boo.

[Presto]

The current Prius is no slow poke. It's got enough pep, already. Unless the new Prius is significantly heavier than the 2nd Gen, I would have no problem with a 1.5.

[nameless dude]

Anyone know about the version in Australia? According to the "Open Road" magazine (a magazine published NRMA for its members, a large Australian insurance company focusing primarily on motoring) published last November, it claims that this Prius will be driven by the 1.8L, although it's just from an article on future hybrids as a whole and it doesn't specify which version. Anyone have any other views on the Australian version, if any?

And yeah, i'd like a larger engine as well, as long as fuel economy does improve, if even just a little. A lot of us like to travel long distances on high speed roads (our places are very spaced out), so we'll like the power.

Also Danny, if you don't mind, can you please tell us where you gained this info?

And why can't Toyota just export both versions to every country so we can choose?

[carz89]

Yes, this news upsets me, and I'm shocked that Toyota is doing this in light of the recent spike in gas prices and the massive media and political attention given to global warming. I guess Toyota knows something about marketing that I don't, because I can't think of one single reason you would need more acceleration in the Prius. I understand the balances that must be achieved between power and mpg, and trying to maximize the car's appeal to the largest segment of the population, I'm sure is their #1 goal. I saw the Blue Man Group advertisement, and in it there was one extremely strong statement with the eye-dropper of gasoline. Offering only the higher-power / lower-mpg model in the US contradicts that statement and to me is a form of deception. If Toyota's offering is true, then I am pissed.

Changing the subject slightly, I thought that there were negative consequences to importing a car (other than cost)? The big one being warranty issues. Getting one with the steering wheel on the proper side may be difficult. Some of the car's features may be different and if service is needed, the expertise may not reside with your local Toyota shop. If the engine displacement and MPG are the only differences, and the price is the same, then this is a no-brainer. But if there are other negative consequences, why would anyone pay extra money for that?

[bruceha_2000]

I find it very sad that Toyota is bowing to the likes of "Car and Driver", "MotorTrend" and all the other rags that put 0-60 MPH at the top of their list of "important features".

The reason the current Prius IS peppy enough with the 1.5L engine is because it has the electric motor to assist. What REAL WORLD gain will there be having a total of 160 HP vs the current 110?? Have we learned NOTHING from the fall out of $4/gallon gas and people FINALLY heading toward more fuel efficient vehicles when they don't NEED the gas hogs?? MOST cars are currently severely over powered, why shove those that are not in that direction?????

At the very least, I wish they would offer the 1.5L in ALL option packages even if they feel the 'need' to offer the 1.8L. I would REALLY hate to have to buy the 1.8L to get other options I WANT at the expense of worse gas mileage. Of course, based on Danny's post, we are not going to have a choice anyway.
And you KNOW the 1.5L version will get better mileage than the 1.8L, otherwise, Toyota would be putting the 1.8L in all the cars. The Europeans (or at least their wallets), with their very high gas prices, would not tolerate a lower MPG version.

First the lousy cockpit re-design and now this. Toyota clearly doesn't want to sell me another Prius any time soon.

[nwprius]

Sometimes a larger engine is capable of better MPG at lower speeds such as those most of us use. It can just loaf along with lower RPM.

I like what I see of the cockpit.