If Toyota can do this, they should leave the Prii alone and start working on hybrid pickups.

I hope the 09 will be much better in MPG. I'm getting a constant 53.4 MPG so it needs to be higher then that to warrant trading up to. I wish they would hurry on the plug-in, that is the answer.

it may debut in jan '09, but doubt it will be out til 2010 or at least when the 2010's come out usually around sept '09

Looks like you forgot to consider the big picture...

Pushing Prius in that direction opens up the opportunity to create a smaller one too, a second model to address the market that deems MPG an even higher priority.

We like when they offer a choice.

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My guess, and this is only a guess (though also a hope), is that the increased power is simply a spin-off of the more efficient hybrid system, like maybe a bigger electric motor and battery for longer range, faster EV. Something like that would probably boost power and fuel economy.

If by making it bigger they will be able to put in telescoping steering wheel and height-adjustable seats then I'm all for it!!!

The 62 mph ev ability reported for the new version by itself should overcome a loss of efficiency for the larger engine. Only thing that has me concerned is that they get rid of whatever the inefficiency is that happens as you cross from 40-42 mph and from 42-40 mph around the new 62 mph thresh hold.

I'm with John on this one, hoping that this is the start of Toyota's development of more of a Prius family of automobiles. My guess is that they need to hit the larger sedan market with Prius-like numbers. With that success, they can then produce the smaller (Corolla or current-sized Prius) with 80-90 mpg. Then, after the plug-in is proven, they can develop the crossover/minivan with 50+ mpg.

Anyone with me?

"Weedy" ??!
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It's a rare day that I ask for as much as half of what the current
powerplant can give me...
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_H*

Is there anything new in the article? Seems like I've heard the same 'facts' on this site, but strung out over a few postings.

View the big picture as well. As John1701a noted there are reasons to consider why a larger more powerful model might 'fit' into an overall strategy. There is likely to be a Fit-Yaris-sized small Prius that gets extraordinary fuel economy simply because of it's smaller size.

In addition while I agree with the posters saying that while the Prius is perfectly good in terms of quickness and speed there is one glaring deficiency IMO. High speed highway driving hurts the Prius' fuel economy significantly. The Camry hybrid handles 75 mph traffic better than the Prius does.

The slightly larger vehicle is just the trend across the world. It's just a fact of life. But that the fuel economy will also be 20% better than the current model is a HUGE advancement. If anyone was expecting to see a real world vehicle approaching those pie-in-the-sky reports of 100 mpg Prius'......well that was just one writer's dream. It had no basis in fact.

REPEAT: A 20% increase in real world fuel economy is HUGE. The number most drivers in the US report is 48 mpg. A 20% improvement would put that real world number at 57-58 mpg. OTOH if one is now getting 62 mpg with a Gen2 Prius one might expect to get 70+ mpg real world with the new one....Oh then the plugin version should debut a year or two later.

I'd also expect an EV button and ECON button similar to what the new HH has.

My hope (although I doubt it any time soon) is that the prius as we know it today, will become the Yaris of tommorow, and this new Prius is really more geared to the "Corolla" crowd.

Also try reading the article, they talk about exactly that.... Quote

"Toyota is also planning both bigger and smaller Prius-badged models as 'Prius' starts to become an eco brand all of its own. The tiny, two-cylinder, rear-engined 1/X concept from the 2007 Tokyo Show suggests what a future mini Prius could end up looking like."



But until the Hybrid's get cheaper (at least they are not in Canada) there's no appeal to people. I could drive a BMW 3 series, or a nice Infinti G35 for the same price as a loaded Prius here in Canada.


After owning a prius for only 3 weeks, I find it plenty fast for doing my day to day stuff (And this comes from a guy who used to race on the strip), it would be better if it had about twice the traction battery, and double the power electric motor, because I wouldn't have to try to hard to P+G to get steller fuel mileage -- and i'd have the extra umph of the electric when i need to put the power down.

I agree completely!

Agreed on all points. The possible introduction of Valvematic to the world via the Prius also makes lots of sense for the reason you mentioned.

heck im dispointed big time

just think if they had used all the money for this gen III prius for making li-ion more of a reality

im not pleased about the increase in mpg either, i could jack up my tire pressure and get 55 mpg so im not impressed.

Sources predict the battery to provide at least 60 hp? The current Prius pack is rated at 28 hp and Camry HSD pack at 40 hp.

I find 60hp battery power to be too high (for NiMH) considering Toyota is looking to cut the cost of the next generation HSD. We are looking at double the power of the current NiMH pack.

The Li-ion pack could explain the extra power. Maybe Toyota will use Li-ion after all. It kinda make sense as the current NiMH price does not seem to go lower due to the price of Nickel. The price of the Li-ion can go lower with volume pricing due to cheaper material cost. What vehicle would be better than next gen Prius to drive the volume up?

I'll take that 2" in width, please. Then an adult could fit in the middle back seat, and bulky adults in front could get their hand past their hip to buckle their seat belts.

And, btw, it would be nice if a body redesign would focus on corner visibility. I have to squint thru the tiny peep hole on the front right to avoid clipping the curb on tight right turns.

I agree with the first part of your post but I can't believe this bit. While you're going around a corner you shouldn't be looking at the curb, you should be looking as far up the road as you can see to prepare for it, the line around the current corner should have been determined seconds earlier. If you are clipping curbs go wider. I could black out the small windows in front of the doors and never miss them.

I really can't believe the complaints about visibility out of the Prius, people must have been driving all glass cars before or go karts.