70 MPG downsized-Prius by Toyota?

I wouldn't be surprised if the Prius was rated at 70 MPG in the near future, still being a mid-sized car.

But developing other hybrid models around different usage models and different car classes is sure part of Toyota's plan.

 

I think Toyota is making money on all the do-dahs AND attracting sales. I think a stripped model would not be as profitable and not create the wait lists they have now. So basically, yes Toyota could build it, and no, they won't.

 

I think that if they did make this car, they'd offer it in a wide variety of colors and call it a Scion.

 

Probably not for the US but they are looking to China as their next major market and a smaller car with less bells and whistles would sell well there.

 

That is the basic idea: A hybrid 2-door commuter. If it has the Scion badge, fine. But it must have THS or a newer equivalent. I think one that is "Honda CRX" size would be about right.

Then the nano-Prius would get 80 or 90. Lighter, smaller, lower drag . . . .

 

The Insight is a terrible seller because few people are interested in such a car. Of course it doesn't help that the Insight costs as much as the HCH... But Toyota would never hybridize the Echo just because they'd look at the piss-poor sales of the Insight and conclude it would be a waste. Also there's still the stigma of hybrids being small and weak, which needs to be overcome, so nobody is making new subcompact hybrids right now, though they may in the future.

 

hybrid Echo hatchback in that Gold colour I think would sell really well. Probably better than a Prius. Thousands of the hatchbacks up here, there everywhere and Hybridized for even 5 grand more than a base hatchback would probably sell like crazy. The Echo sedan is a toad, I'm amased that they even sell it. I'd guess here the hatch outsells the sedan 20 to 1.

 

well i was one of the two to say no. however, i must clarify my answer since it does not address the question asked;

can they?

yes...

will they?

no that is my answer

 

Voted YES., AND THEY CAN KEEP IT THIS SIZE, offer the extended EV mode and battery bank, AS AN OPTION if necessary, offer a PLUG IN and extra battery bank to boost the factory system currently in use. Note that a California company is already developing and offering this system for about $12,000 right now. The car easily gets 70 MPG and can do even better if you have a shorter commute (under 20-30 miles total both ways), and you re-charge for a fraction of GASOLINE costs.

 

the question does say smaller. Toyota can go to diesel and get that mileage without doing anything else. i contend that even a stripped down version of a hybrid will still be spendy and the insight does not work because there are too few who can afford to buy a car just for commuting purposes only

 

If people could get out of this idiotic mindset of "need power,
must accelerate hell-bent all the time", the *existing* Prius could
have an engine of half the current displacement, get well north
of 100 mpg, and still have plenty of power for day-to-day travel.
And that's without diesel or plug-in. The *technology* isn't the
hard part at this point, it's how the car-buying audience has been
"trained" if you can call it that.
.
_H*

 

i think they should downsize but only in the sense that they can bring 40mpg for a 7sec 0-60 sports coupe. get rid of some of those hybrid stereotypes you know?

oh and to hobbit: agreed, but won't happen

 

The new Yaris that will be sold in the U.S. next spring is the perfect candidate for a small hybrid, and I think Toyota will do it in spring of 2007. The Yaris is a beautiful small car with lots of room. Much nicer than the Echo was. Scion xA would also be a good choice but I don't think Scion is meant to be in the same league as Toyota as far as brand recognition. Toyota=hybrid is the way things are being set up.

 

I think it happened when the gas prices were $1 or around and those car were far too expensive has you said. With a gallon of gas climbing easily to $3 am not so sure.

a hybrid Echoe thinking in people with low income or just starting their careers and struggling to pay for gas would not be a bad option for some.

 

The ICE in the Echo and Prius are the same. Toyota will boost Echo sales when Echos are hybridized. Our 2002 Echo averages 38 mpg (lots of highway driving).

 

Does Toyota still sell the Echo? I've never seen it listed on their website.