Prius C Doesn't Look Like It's Concept!

While I have NO idea what "platform", if any, the Prius C is "based on", it sure looks like a Yaris.
A friend who owns a Yaris (because he fell in love with it while in Europe) is getting excited. He wants to replace the Yaris next year, and the Prius C is looking like the candidate.

Just for those who haven't looked, the Yaris is kind of like the Prius in that while it looks small on the outside, it has a lot of usable space on the inside.

My friend calls his Yaris the "gas guzzler", as he also rides a Vespa 250. He's a big guy, and it looks kind of funny to see him on the Vespa or in the Yaris.

To further muddy the thoughts of those not informed, the two of us (and others) work on the local amateur repeaters. We use Pearl as a "cargo van" and the Yaris sometimes as a support vehicle.

And yes, a 54" four post electronics rack will fit in Pearl with the hatch -closed-!!!

 

I'm a little worried and confused.

I was one really looking forward to the original "supposed" incarnation of the Prius c.

I foresaw or hoped for a "Honda Fit" like and sized hybrid capable of upwards of 60 mpg.

Now I don't know what to expect and at what cost?

I thought a smaller, Yaris like..Honda Fit like..hybrid..at a lower cost that actually get's the best MPG of any Non-Plug in Hybrid was a slam dunk win. But perhaps Toyota is scared of what it might mean to the "regular" Prius?

In anycase, significant change to platform and execution of concept at this point? Doesn't sound good to me.

I was really psyched about the original concept...and now I don't know if I still should be...

 

While not surprising, I'm so disappointed yet another (ugly, slow, mostly useless) small SUV is being developed.

 

First of all, I'm not "Mad at Toyota"...they are the manufacturer they can build whatever they want. And I fully realize "concepts" often differ greatly from final product. Also, I am waiting for "official stuff" from Toyota...and we have had some....

But there does seem to be some duality and vagueness about what the Prius c is going to become or what direction Toyota is going in...

Again I'm not Mad...but we've seen very Yaris/Fit looking vehicles being "tested"...and now we are hearing that Toyota is going in a very significantly different direction.

Well I'm not Mad at Toyota...but since this is a discussion forum I reserve the right to say, I am confused and worried. I think I'm more enthusiased about the "rumors" of the original concept..than these new rumors of a new direction.

But yes, we are dealing with rumors in either case....I never said we were not....

"If" Toyota abandons the smaller, less expensive smaller hatchback concept...to promote a vehicle that according to the article is has roughly the same dimensions as the Prius V, and is described as Nissan Juke like...based off the Toyota Rush platform, then even though YES we are dealing with rumors....I reserve the right to say, I'd be disappointed.

Sure I'll wait and see what the reality becomes....but speculation and talking about "Prius Products" is concievably a big part of what we are here to do...

I'm just saying "IF" Toyota goes in this direction? Then I'm probably going to be disappointed.

 

I almost never post here as generally I never have new to add. But I did send the link to the MT article to a friend who mine of works at toyota as some kind of designer. His comments about the article was that it was wrong about everything and hinted at the facts in the article were linked to a different Prius than the Prius C. The Prius C will have less space inside than the second generation Prius and get better mpg than any other full hybrid Prius and have the lowest price. These are the published facts of the Prius C in
Japan and they conflict with with the MT article on several points.

 

Speaking only for myself? I hope your friend is right.

 

I'm not mad - just disappointed. But then I never understood the SUV fetish thing people seem to have. Also: the Nissan Juke is ugly as hell.

 

You are right, they generally look way, way less cool (or ridiculous depending on car). However, going to a Toyota official site now we see a smaller-than-Prius C, not this ugly thing in the first link. I still think article is telling nonsense!

 

i remember when i was 8 yrs old, my teacher told me: "if your friend told you to jump off bridge, would you jump?".

It seems you would at least consider it .

Article is bogus. Toyota said only week ago that Prius C will be the most efficient hybrid on sale in the USA.

End of story.