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)
.

"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."

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

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.

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?

the name pretty much confirms that

what about something REAL!! a mini-van and sub compact??

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

Maybe the mini-van part of the rumor will com to pass ... but Li-ion?
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...-ion-tests-decides-stick-nimh-future-now.html
Toyota says no.
.

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

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.

It's been officially unveiled/announced now:

Toyota unveils new hybrid-only model - Yahoo! Finance

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

More news here:

Toyota thinks electric