NEWS on Coming Prius from Japanese Mag

[ceric]

I offer no warranty on this news from TempleOfVtec. The original source is a Japanese Magzine.
I apologize if this has been posted.

>> Regarding the Prius, well, basically it will arrive later than the Fit, and it’s more of the same except a new package and one key element: the article says that, as many people expect, next gen Prius will base its strength and improvements on a long awaited Li-ion Battery module by Panasonic. It’s supposed to be the first ever on a mass produced car.

[Tideland Prius]

I guess someone tried to throw a dash of "Vibrant Clarity" on the Prius hehehe. It doesn't look half as bad even though I know it's clearly a guess and it's still based on the current design. The wheels look funky too. Heck, I'm sure there'll be quite a number of people here that'll be happy if the Prius kept its liftback design

[TonyPSchaefer]

Dammit!!! Where's that drool emoticon?

[ceric]

The original caption of the photo says "09 Prius".

[ScottY]

when I first look at the picture, i thought it's a photoshopped hybrid between the Prius and the Yaris!
If that's how the 09 Prius look... I'll keep my 05... <_<

[benighted]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ May 10 2006, 10:37 AM) [snapback]252892[/snapback]</div>

when I first look at the picture, i thought it's a photoshopped hybrid between the Prius and the Yaris!
If that's how the 09 Prius look... I'll keep my 05... <_< [/b]

What did you expect it to look like? It looks exactly how I would picture the next generation of Prius

[JackDodge]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ May 10 2006, 01:37 PM) [snapback]252892[/snapback]</div>

when I first look at the picture, i thought it's a photoshopped hybrid between the Prius and the Yaris!
If that's how the 09 Prius look... I'll keep my 05... <_<
[/b]

I like that new look so if it's a big enough improvement, I'll sell my current one and get that 2009 when it comes out (provided that I can find a gas guzzler addict who's willing for fork over what I paid for it initially <evil smile>. Wonder if they'll have them in green by then?

[ScottY]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(benighted @ May 10 2006, 01:44 PM) [snapback]252901[/snapback]</div>

What did you expect it to look like? It looks exactly how I would picture the next generation of Prius
[/b]

I guess we have different expectations and tastes then. Compare to that "09 Prius", I like the look of my 05 better. The 09's front looks too much like a Yaris, and the wheels are ugly IMHO.

[AlphaTeam]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ May 10 2006, 02:11 PM) [snapback]252923[/snapback]</div>

I guess we have different expectations and tastes then. Compare to that "09 Prius", I like the look of my 05 better. The 09's front looks too much like a Yaris, and the wheels are ugly IMHO.
[/b]

I do too

[larkinmj]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ May 10 2006, 01:37 PM) [snapback]252892[/snapback]</div>

when I first look at the picture, i thought it's a photoshopped hybrid between the Prius and the Yaris!
If that's how the 09 Prius look... I'll keep my 05... <_<
[/b]

That's exactly what it is, and I wouldn't give this too much credence. There are a lot of websites that show "spy shots" of upcoming cars long before the manufacturers release sketches; sometimes even before they have even finalized the design. The Yaris and Camry show the direction that Toyota is going with their passenger car grills (with the Toyota logo as a prominent element), and I suspect that this would be a likely design element for the next Prius as well. My guess is that the new Highlander will have a similar facade. I would think that the rest of the car would be changed a bit in the next generation, even though I don't think it needs it. The buzz I've been hearing is that the next Prius will look even more unconventional (possible, since the Camry hybrid fills the niche of a "conventional" mid-sized hybrid.)
Those wheels are really awful- if they put those on the Prius, there will be a big aftermarket wheel business