Where is the Pic From??
Hard to tell if its real or just a mod.

Looks real to me. Looks like it has a few added panels taped on to disguise some things. Typical of a new model that's getting some highway testing.

We see stuff like that all the time around Mt Evans in Colorado. They come there for high altitude testing.

Well it's not photoshopped I don't think, but who knows if it's a new model testing or mods or what. What we do know is that IT UGLY!

I like the wheels, though. Looks like something off the Lexus GS line.

It could be real, because it seems that every new car is doing the "accented edge by door handles" design thing (see picture below).

http://autoshow.roadfly.com/wp-content/gallery/2009-acura-tsx/2009-acura-tsx.jpg

But I thought it was going to be a bigger car? It looks a bit longer in the trunk area compared to that 2nd generation.

Assuming it's not an amazing photoshop, I think that could be the 10. Better if they got both in pic w/o dude in the way.

The silhouette just does not resemble the current at all

The door sills (tops of doors) seem to be a little higher than current which is a trend on some new models (see the 2009 Matrix)

It appears slightly larger overall to me.

I don't know of any other car on the road like that.

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on list at 2 d'ships, targeting Early 2010 so as not to get first batch off the line.

I like the trunk with the tail lights, but it is hard to tell if it's photoshoped or not. it also looks like they kept all that white plastic prtectant material over the lights and paint.

Notic the changes in
- wheels
- tail lights
- rear bumper
- C-pillar
- door handle (taped up)
Overall, I think it has been "Camrized", and I don't mean that for a bad thing.

looks a bit smaller to me
not longer but wider

Look close. Note that the taillights and all the body panels are covered with something to disguise them. Those sharp edges and funky looking taillights are just covers. Typical of a new model being tested. They want to hide the new body from spy shots. The only thing that makes me think it's for real is the rear hatch. The license plate area is lower and a different shape entirely. That's different sheet metal for sure. The rest could just be cardboard

If I was the manufacturer I would disguise a current model year Prius just to throw people off the scent. If these decoy Prius' were traveling around then it would drive down the price/excitement of catching a new photo.... Hiding in plain site.

Mike

it may be a spy shot. this is how toyota does it. I've been tracking their new entry cars for a while now. It's always like this. plus.. they test all their cars in the U.S. before they are released... just like any other car manufacturer...

From everything I've read, including your 'inside' posts, it appears to be the real thing, the new '10. As I understand it the new model will still be a 5 door hatch just a little longer and wider, maybe a smidge lower. If so I'm not surprised that this looks much like the outgoing Gen2.

It has the camo panels you always see on test mules. I'm sure it's the next gen undergoing testing. Don't get too excited about anything cosmetic (except, perhaps, the overall dimensions) since the real details are covered.

From enlarging the pic on my computer and comparing it to the current Prius, the body panels all around the car are clearly different. The front and rear corners of the side windows are a slightly different shape. Although it may be debatable over whether the pic is real or a photoshop fake, it looks real to me. So now, I ask myself whether it is a Toyota prototype or just an aftermarket custom. I have seen a lot of really advanced customized cars here in CA. I've seen customizers change pretty much everything. It could be a custom. The areas of the windows that are different do not affect the structural integrity of the A and C pillars - they look like simple sheet metal modifications. It's easy to cut a new shape piece of glass for the window. Changing the shape of the rear bumper is one of the most common modifications. HOWEVER, changing the shape of the doors is NOT a common modification - usually, you only see that for autoshow company cars. It is possible that this Prius could be for an aftermarket company for an autoshow. Or, it could be a Toyota - but wouldn't they be testing it in Japan? Maybe not. From what I've read, the Japanese aren't really that into cars these days. And San Francisco has one of the highest concentrations of Prius cars in the nation. It would be an excellent place to test public reaction. Because Flickr boy didn't post a full-size pic, the world may never know.
Criticism/venting: I hate it when people don't post the original, full-size pics on Flickr!
Usually, it is someone posting shots of themselves and their friends and trying to hide their flaws. What is this Prius poster trying to hide????

wow.. you just said a whole lot of nothing...

anyways... I like that CTS photo. it's a perfect example of how they test. Make it look like the current car.. and whatever doesn't look similar.. cover up. If it's too different, change the colors.. that way it's hard to tell what it really looks like because you can no longer eye out the angles.

example:

no.. that's a modified sequoia haha.. when it's really the new 08 model we now see around. (again.. covering the changes from the current model.)

i can't wait to see more photos !

Do you guys think that there is a possibility that this could be the 2009 model?

I do know that some cars get minor exterior changes (taillights, bumpers, etc.). The shape is entirely the same, I thought the new generation was going to be more aggressive.

But someone already said in another subforum that the '09 is just a carryover from the '08, so that's out of the question.

No, there's no chance. Someone has already posted that they physically have in their procession a '09 model sales brochure and it's a carry over from '08.

Mike