Old article but interesting - Prius Factory Turbo in 2006?

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/51666/gr...with_turbo.html


Green Prius To Go Red-hot With Turbo

Toyota's current hybrid, the Prius, is to get a dose of turbo power. We've learned that engineers are working on a blown version, in an effort to add some excitement to the car.

They've borrowed the 1.5-litre engine from the Japanese-market Yaris Turbo.

Insiders say the prototype produces 50 per cent more power than the normally aspirated version. That's partly due to the turbocharger, but also because the new model has state-of-the-art high power lithium-ion batteries. Today's Prius has nickel metal hydride ones.

If the technology is given the green light, a hot version of the Prius could be on sale by 2006.