Toyota Sai Hybrid Sedan

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by morpheusx, Sep 30, 2009.

Comments

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by morpheusx, Sep 30, 2009.

  1. Tideland Prius
    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?
  2. 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)
    .
  3. 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).
  4. Danny
  5. jasony79
    "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."
  6. ken1784
    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
  7. 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.
  8. Tideland 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!
  9. nerfer
    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?
  10. DaveinOlyWA
    the name pretty much confirms that

    what about something REAL!! a mini-van and sub compact??
  11. Tideland Prius
    Yes but when the Camry was redesigned, they already had a hybrid in mind so the body and the chassis and all the other hidden stuff were designed to take in a hybrid system. It's not like the Camry already came out and then they decided to snap on the HSD.

    Yes they are but I've noticed there's less aluminium in the trunklid than the old Camry.
  12. ken1784
    Vitz(Yaris) Hybrid will be in 2011.
    Also, a rumor said Prius mini-van (three row seats) with Li-ion battery is coming.

    Ken@Japan
  13. Tideland Prius
    That's exciting news, Ken!
  14. hill
  15. ken1784
    My understanding is Toyota won't use Li-ion on hybrid vehicles now.
    However, I'm sure there are possibilities to use Li-ion on future hybrid.

    Ken@Japan
  16. asj2009
    The HS barely sold 1000 units in September, even though Toyota was hoping it would sell at least 24k units per year (not sure whether there were supply constraints or not, but it sure isn't generating that much of a buzz). That thing, like the HS, looks like a Corolla but probably with a much higher price tag. if it ever comes here (and it looks like it won't) it'll sell some, but not as many as you might think.
  17. bestmapman
    I am awaiting for a plug in coupe. Lower to the ground with a lower roof due to lower seats. With the same HSD as current Genn III, that could mean a significan higher hwy MPG due to less frontal area.

    Ah, wishful thinking
  18. wintechsw

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