I hope that's the reat hatch of the next prius. Would love to see that annoying split window rear go away!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Feb 14 2007, 11:31 AM) [snapback]390186[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, but the CHMSL and its mount appear to be almost the width of the rear window. Wonder why they couldn't put it at the top instead of half-way down?

Could some one explain "a new design language design for hybrid models"?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Feb 14 2007, 02:15 PM) [snapback]390317[/snapback]</div>

I am not sure if it is because this is the concept car... The whole hatch door is one curved smooth piece of glass / plastic. And where do you grab it to open it? Under the center LED?

Dennis

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Feb 14 2007, 11:36 AM) [snapback]390337[/snapback]</div>

Maybe you don't grab it at all... perhaps you just wave your hand in front of the Toyota emblem, like those fancy vertical CD players that sharper image used to sell, that open when you wave your hand in front of them.

Or perhaps you just touch the glass on the emblem.

All of the above assume that you have the wireless key fob, of course.

The rear end looks cool, but I bet it'd cost 1000 bucks to replace that curvy back window. I don't mind the split window in the current Prius and rather like the way the spoiler blocks glare, rain and snow from covering your rear view. Took a little getting used to, though.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Delta Flyer @ Feb 15 2007, 03:15 AM) [snapback]390317[/snapback]</div>

Don't you just love ad-hype? "New" , usually joined with "and improved", are among my favorites. "A new language design for hybrid models" is actually a paraphrase of a Bill Gates slogan for selling Vista OS. In computer software and automobiles, a "new" design doesn't even have a chance to make it to adolescence before being rendered obsolete by yet another "new" design.......

I read in the other news that Toyota is going to play around with the idea of making Hybrid more special in appearance. They would include LED glowing lights under the hood when the car is running on EV (maybe also stealth) mode. They will also include the battery air intake visible with style (01 Prius also had exterior intake but blended into body) that signifies that "this is a hybrid". Sort of like the supercharger intake bumping out of the hood. When you see a hybrid, you know it is a hybrid.

It will be exciting to find out what Toyota has in mind to expand their hybrid offering. I want to see the return of Celica or MR2 hybrid version with unique hybrid styling.

Dennis

Hybrid X pics and details!

Geneva Showcase: Toyota Hybrid X Concept Reveals Next-Gen Prius Design

Hmm,

Interesting ideas. The shape is not bad as it's even more a station wagon then a hatch-back. Should be roomier for dogs

I like the swivel chairs in the back! How cute. I assume some of the design cues will make it onto the next prius (like sunroof?, less rear slope? and new head light)

I was hoping it would also produce some hybrid numbers! What gas mileage is this baby getting?

interesting to hear the performance numbers, plug in and battery pack options which i fully expect in the next major redesign. definitely a lot of pics to look at

Awesome design. They amplified the current Prius designs. The rear roof line is higher. The windshield to the front bumper is almost flat. The grills are gone -- just a small intake near the fog lights. Toyota is definately addressing cold weather performance.

It looks like the rear doors will open like the RX-8. The door handles for front and rear are next to each other!

Very cool! If this is an indication of what the next-gen Prius will look like, I might be trading mine in sooner than I planned.
My guess is that the suicide doors (almost de riguer for concept cars nowadays), the glass roof, and the thing that looks like an alien eye in the center of the dash won't make it into production. As an example, compare the Honda Model X cocept with he Honda Element, or the Toyota FT-SX concept with the 2008 Highlander. Concept cars often have new features such as slidong roofs, moving seats, etc. that are too expensive for production cars. But I hope the next Prius looks like this car.

Even more pictures found here.

I love my Prius just as it is and haven't been thrilled with some of the suggested cosmetic changes I've seen in the speculation threads. But I must say I like the direction this car has gone. (And the lack of chrome.)

Dark blue with side signal mirrors and I'm trading in my car too.

But I can't help thinking that this looks like a very good artist's rendering.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Mar 6 2007, 03:24 PM) [snapback]401035[/snapback]</div>

You mean you'd give up your membership in the Cool Chicks in Black Prius club?

It seems so much shorter in those pics at the show (as opposed to what looks like computer renderings). But, I absolutely love the transparent roof! And, the way the ffront windshield extends down so far on the sides. Reminds me of that Lexus concept vehicle in Minority Report. I'd buy one in a heartbeat if it came as a PHEV!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Mar 6 2007, 01:47 PM) [snapback]400963[/snapback]</div>

I don't think that the suicide doors will make it to the production car. The rear doors on the RX-8, which is more like a modified 2-door sports car, are small. Likewise, the Honda Element and some pickup trucks have them, but they are also smaller doors. Looking at the large rear doors on this car, I imagine quite an ordeal getting in or out of the rear seat while parked next to another car. As a former Element owner, I can tell you that is a problem.