Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan

morpheusx · 09-30-2009, 03:38 PM

I saw this article today on a new Toyota Hybrid based off the Hybrid only Lexus HS 250 H. The article doesn't mention this, but I imagine if this does come here to the US it will be as a Prius Sedan as the first Sub model.
Confirmed: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan On Sale in Japan Soon - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine

**Tideland Prius** · 10-01-2009, 12:03 AM

Interesting... although I don't know if they'd want to bring it over. Wouldn't that piss off a couple of HS owners who know bought a car that is now rebadged and sold as a Toyota Prius sedan?

Rybold · 10-01-2009, 12:43 AM

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!
No, seriously! This is awesome!!!
It will be a midsized car but instead of having to make a hybrid out of a Camry, it's designed from the ground up with hybrid in mind. The shape, materials, weight, etc, etc, are all designed knowing that this will be a hybrid. Superb if this makes it to the US!!! It could outsell the Camry (wishful, but seriously hopeful), and render the Camry obsolete. Bring it on!

The "Prius Midsize Sedan"

(hopefully, it will at least match Ford Fusion 41mpg)
.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-01-2009, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rybold

AWESOME !!!!!!!!!
No, seriously! This is awesome!!!
It will be a midsized car but instead of having to make a hybrid out of a Camry, it's designed from the ground up with hybrid in mind. The shape, materials, weight, etc, etc, are all designed knowing that this will be a hybrid. Superb if this makes it to the US!!! It could outsell the Camry (wishful, but seriously hopeful), and render the Camry obsolete. Bring it on!

The "Prius Midsize Sedan"

(hopefully, it will at least match Ford Fusion 41mpg)
.

Umm.. the Camry Hybrid was designed to be a hybrid from the start (which baffles me cause the battery placement is still not optimal imo).

**Danny** · 10-01-2009, 06:12 PM

Thanks for posting this story, morpheusx! I've posted it to the frontpage along with a recap and some of my thoughts.

Toyota Sai to Be Next Prius-Branded Hybrid? | PriusChat

jasony79 · 10-01-2009, 09:49 PM

"Mums the word right now as to whether or not the Sai will make it to the US or Canada, but if it does look for it to be the first addition to the new upcoming Prius sub-brand."

"2009 Tokyo Auto Show: Toyota's Newest Hybrid, the SAI Sedan, to Bow This Month" Green Car Advisor
"Despite reports that Toyota intends to spread its Prius nameplate across multiple models, including a Subaru, the Japanese automaker announced today that its only other dedicated hybrid will debut at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month without the P word anywhere on it."

ken1784 · 10-02-2009, 01:17 AM

I believe SAI is for Japanese market only, like Crown Hybrid.

In the US and Canada, you guys already have the same engine Camry Hybrid.
The differences are...
- SAI/HS250h is shorter wheel base than Camry Hybrid.
- SAI/HS250h have the exhaust heat recovery system.

Ken@Japan

morpheusx · 10-02-2009, 10:22 AM

I think it would make perfect sense here because the majority of American's do not like hatchback designs for whatever reason, and it seems like a natural fit being that it has a very similar wedge shape as the Prius.

**Tideland Prius** · 10-02-2009, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morpheusx

I think it would make perfect sense here because the majority of American's do not like hatchback designs for whatever reason, and it seems like a natural fit being that it has a very similar wedge shape as the Prius.

But we already have the Camry Hybrid which is what Americans want in a sedan (supposedly). You guys buy > 400,000 Camrys a year!

nerfer · 10-02-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tideland Prius

Umm.. the Camry Hybrid was designed to be a hybrid from the start (which baffles me cause the battery placement is still not optimal imo).

Ummm, no. The TCH has the same sheet-metal as the standard Camry on which it was based, same engine area, etc. They just rearranged the guts to fit in a hybrid powertrain. Like you say, the battery pack was tacked in rather oddly, rendering the fold-down seats nearly useless (particularly the left one). It all works the way it is, but if they designed it as a new car to be a hybrid, the trunk at least would look a lot different. Probably some changes to the aerodynamics. Are the hood and trunk lid aluminum like the Prius?

09-30-2009, 03:38 PM	#1
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,506 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 7 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan I saw this article today on a new Toyota Hybrid based off the Hybrid only Lexus HS 250 H. The article doesn't mention this, but I imagine if this does come here to the US it will be as a Prius Sedan as the first Sub model. Confirmed: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan On Sale in Japan Soon - Wide Open Throttle - Motor Trend Magazine Last edited by morpheusx; 09-30-2009 at 10:28 PM. Reason: added pictures

10-01-2009, 12:03 AM	#2
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 19,633 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 229 Thanked 346 Times in 245 Posts Friends: 23	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan Interesting... although I don't know if they'd want to bring it over. Wouldn't that piss off a couple of HS owners who know bought a car that is now rebadged and sold as a Toyota Prius sedan?

10-01-2009, 12:43 AM	#3
Rybold globally warmed member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Southern California Posts: 1,247 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 95 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan AWESOME !!!!!!!!! No, seriously! This is awesome!!! It will be a midsized car but instead of having to make a hybrid out of a Camry, it's designed from the ground up with hybrid in mind. The shape, materials, weight, etc, etc, are all designed knowing that this will be a hybrid. Superb if this makes it to the US!!! It could outsell the Camry (wishful, but seriously hopeful), and render the Camry obsolete. Bring it on! The "Prius Midsize Sedan" (hopefully, it will at least match Ford Fusion 41mpg) . Last edited by Rybold; 10-01-2009 at 12:47 AM.

10-01-2009, 06:12 PM	#5
Danny Admin/Founder Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 5,290 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 38 Thanked 209 Times in 85 Posts Friends: 37	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan Thanks for posting this story, morpheusx! I've posted it to the frontpage along with a recap and some of my thoughts. Toyota Sai to Be Next Prius-Branded Hybrid? \| PriusChat __________________ Follow PriusChat on and *Buy your discounted 2010 Prius Accessories* here and support PriusChat: PriusChat Shop PriusChat Also Offers Discounts on: Extended Warranty - $1055 : Pre-Paid Maintenance - $875**

10-01-2009, 09:49 PM	#6
jasony79 Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 45 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 9 Thanked 17 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan "Mums the word right now as to whether or not the Sai will make it to the US or Canada, but if it does look for it to be the first addition to the new upcoming Prius sub-brand." "2009 Tokyo Auto Show: Toyota's Newest Hybrid, the SAI Sedan, to Bow This Month" Green Car Advisor "Despite reports that Toyota intends to spread its Prius nameplate across multiple models, including a Subaru, the Japanese automaker announced today that its only other dedicated hybrid will debut at the Tokyo Auto Show later this month without the P word anywhere on it."

10-02-2009, 01:17 AM	#7
ken1784 SuperMID designer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yokohama, JAPAN Posts: 1,997 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: G Thanks: 10 Thanked 275 Times in 127 Posts Friends: 8	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan I believe SAI is for Japanese market only, like Crown Hybrid. In the US and Canada, you guys already have the same engine Camry Hybrid. The differences are... - SAI/HS250h is shorter wheel base than Camry Hybrid. - SAI/HS250h have the exhaust heat recovery system. Ken@Japan

10-02-2009, 10:22 AM	#8
morpheusx Professor Chaos Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 1,506 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 7 Thanked 39 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 3	Re: Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan I think it would make perfect sense here because the majority of American's do not like hatchback designs for whatever reason, and it seems like a natural fit being that it has a very similar wedge shape as the Prius.

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