Interesting. I figure that by now there are those that see the logic in a lighter weight vehicle (and these people will buy a Prius or something smaller), and then there are those that could care less and only want something bigger, like a Venza or SUV. Toyota is smart by realizing that these are two different groups of people, and realizing that those who are still driving new SUVs today, in 2009, are never going to change (at least not anytime soon), and so Toyota might as well try and sell them a larger hybrid, such as a Venza hybrid, for example.

Yahoo Finance article: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Repor...8.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=3&asset=&ccode=

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I thought they already offer Highlander hybrid for the SUV people? I hope they are still going to offer a Prius in its current size in the future. I am not going to buy a SUV.

My guess is that the suv/wagon will be slightly smaller than the RAV4.

This sounds like this is the first of may Prius variants or the Prius "brand" vehicles that they were talking about a year ago or so ago.

For many years Toyota has said that they will eventually hybridize their entire line, but no company wants to spend money making one product that mostly cannibalizes sales of another of its own products. From the customer perspective like ours, the problem of not getting hybrid variants is compounded by lack of competition.

I've always figured that was the reason a Rav hybrid does not exist. Toyota's decisions will reflect competing priorities: Increasing market share vs R&D 'wasted' on customers who would buy Toyota anyway.

I hope that Toyota will realize that there is a sizeable group of us that live in northern climes that want a high MPG (the Highlander is not one), AWD vehicle. Adding an extra MG to the rear axle of a Prius variant (as done in the Highlander) would be my choice.

If Toyota fails to meet this need, I'll have to wait for Subaru to do it.

JeffD

Toyota own a good chunk of Subaru.

what happend to the whole Li-ion batteries arent feasible news?

This one:
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...-ion-tests-decides-stick-nimh-future-now.html

Can't speak for the rest of the world, but in the Pacific NW? Toyota should try to leverage and do it the other way around and release a Subaru Hybrid. Subaru's are insanely popular here. I think a Hybrid Subaru would become the car of the region.

I'm all for expansion of hybrids wherever it may happen. The only thing that bothers me a little it that when the 2010 Prius was released and some people voiced disappointment that Lithium Ion wasn't being used the feedback given to us from Toyota was that Lithium Ion was still years away, and that no immediate plans for a Lithium Ion Prius were on the horizon. Remember The New Prius is cutting edge? Now in less than a year a Lithium Ion Hybrid will be on the road? Even a Prius albeit a bigger one.

I suppose it's a good thing, but it seems with the solid success of The Prius, Toyota is advancing quicker than expected or originally reported.

I would just suppose that eventually Toyota will offer the same battery technology in all their hybrids, it won't be some with Lithium Ion and some with Nickel Metal Hydride. I'd just rather be on the evolutionary crest of that wave going forward, as opposed to behind it.

Hi All,

I do not see a "station wagon" as much different from the present Prius. So, to put the funding into such a vehicle does not make sense.

If they wanted improved capacities, then something like the "Prius Streched Limo" project makes sense. This would seat 4 teenagers, as well as Mom and Dad.

I think there is a little confusion here. While they are saying it's a larger "Prius", it won't be replacing the current Prius. There will be a "Prius line" of cars, including SUVs, wagons, sedans, and maybe even PUs. I don't know what they will do with the Highlander Hybrid, but it will be interesting to watch. Also, the Lexus Hybrids will be kept separate from the Prius line.

Also, keep in mind that while LiIon batteries "are not ready yet", that could change in a few months with the rate of development of them. I suspect the story the newspaper circulated was a correct quote from a Toyota spokes person. They "know" the LiIon batteries will come, sooner or later, they just don't know "how soon". But probably by the time the wagon is ready the batteries will also be ready. At least that's the optimists viewpoint, and I suspect the Toyota person the newspaper is quoting is an optimist! Good employees usually are.

That would be nice to have more options. I am happy with my current Prius and plan to keep it for a long time as it only has 5,200 miles on it.

Experienced marketeers know not to give customers much reason to skip the current generation and wait for the next. More than a few small companies have folded because hopeful customers started waiting, causing current revenue to fall off so much that they lacked resources to complete development of the promised next generation.

The only good reason to prematurely announce your next generation is to cut off the competition's sales. The unreleased Chevy Volt is not threatening enough for Toyota to benefit from this trick.

Subies are like flies on $h... around here. I bet they'd crush the competition.

I would be overjoyed if the car didn't end up SUV height or weight. M5 Touring dimensions would be nice (even if the power won't be there).

When will we see this, or a current shape of this?

By patsparks at 2008-03-21

Other cars have a sedan, hatch, wagon, coupe and ute (pickup) versions, so why not Prius?

I just noticed that Toyota was showing the Hybrid X at the Vancouver autoshow. If Toyota brought that out as a "Prius XL" that would be perfect.
(come on Toyota, we know you're listening. Prius Sport Wagon, I can see it now.)

Lexus is already out with the RX450h, the 3.5L V6 linked with the HSD system. The HH in the Toyota line still has the older 3.3L V6 with the HSD.

I'd prefer to see the Toyota lineup get the new 2.7L I4 + HSD as the new HH and drop the V6 altogether. In that way the new HH would have FE ratings well above 30 mpg. Now that would be a selling point. I'd also like to see the 2.7L + HSD added to the Sienna and Venza as an option as well. These seem to be naturals.