Toyota will launch 6 all-new hybrid vehicles globally by end of 2012

What - no comments yet on the biggest bit of 'Prius' news in a long time

How about a Prius coupe if we're speculating on new hybrid models along with a Prius short range PHEV.

For the Prius coupe, 4-wheel independent suspension (from the Lexus) along with the new 2-door styling.

For the Prius PHEV, I'd like to see Toyota get the weight of their 5Kw-hr Lithium battery pack down to close to the 187 lb weight of the Hymotion 5kw-hr Lithium Iron Phosphate battery pack from A123Systems.

 

A 40mpg Prius MiniVan ... whoah. Who'da thunk. I mean the Ford mini hybrid SUV only gets 30mpg ish. That Mini Van drag coefficiency must be way down there.



:rockon:
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Without knowing the details, I hope they are targeting cheaper hybrids with better batteries and higher gas mileage (like, no gas at all). If they are opting for more power, lower mpg and bigger size, they are going in the wrong direction. What the country needs are affordable hybrids in the $15-20K range.

 

That's because it's confirmation of what we've anticipated already.


"A Toyota spokesman, John Hanson, said the company was aiming to sell about 20,000 of the plug-in Priuses a year initially. He said early estimates indicated that it could cost about $3,000 to $5,000 more than the traditional Prius."


That's my favorite bit of info. It's the price target we sounded off about years ago. Toyota is very attentive to consumer need.

Reading about all the other hybrids on the way sure puts things in perspective. They are officially declaring the technology mature, pushing it deep into the mainstream. Think about how much of their production will transform from traditional to hybrid.

The arguments claiming "niche" and "unprofitable" are fading away...
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SuperB news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

six ALL-NEW hybrid vehicles ? Nice!

Of course, "by end of 2012" gives them a lot of time. The auto industry will have changed a lot "by end of 2012." All of the vehicles we've seen in auto show pictures will be on the street by then.

Still Awesome News though !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Unfortunately, many other automakers show-cars don't go any further at the pace expected, at least from we have seen in the recent past. Volt is the most significant example. And for promises of FE also...
I'm also concerned about the future regarding normal gasoline ICE engines, hybrid is the only way to prevent their farewell, Toyota is only recognizing that and acting accordingly. It's just like diesel and turbo: gasoline and electric are much fond of each other. Pure gasoline will become a "niche", relevant for low annual mileage only.

 

I wonder if that price premium includes any Government tax incentives? If not, isn't there a few thousand rebate for a 5kw-hr PHEV, so the price premium for the PHEV may only be a few thousand. Also, it looks like we'll see the Prius PHEV in May/June 2012 timeframe, which seems to be a (model) year later than what I think that some of us were expecting based on earlier info on this site.

 

Well ... that article does say that the mini van IS supposed to hold seven. Might be be a bit cramped ... and not what one would normally want to do ... but 7 is their number. I wouldn't want it to be 7 members of the Lakers ... that'd likely be over the max leg room & weight limit.

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Comments on future hybrids, is like looking at porn sites

It is just a fantasy ( no one could be getting it that much ) one big tease

I will believe it when I see it ( or get it )

 

Any new product development Takes a considerable amount of time Unlike the retrofit to an existing model.

However given the success ofthe prius and the hybrid drivetrain in general, i'm surprised it's taking so long.

I applaud their initiative, as they are still doing more than any other car company out there even if it will take a few years to see those results

 

Any new product development Takes a considerable amount of time Unlike the retrofit to an existing model.

However given the success ofthe prius and the hybrid drivetrain in general, i'm surprised it's taking so long.

I applaud their initiative, as they are still doing more than any other car company out there even if it will take a few years to see those results

 

I have heard they are two Lexus brands and four Toyota brands.

Ken@Japan

 

You mean 7 CHAMPIONSHIP RINGS!

 

More info...
Toyota readies electric car offensive | Reuters

When I was in college, that was reality (probably 40 different girls over my 5 years in college), but that was the past. Now that I am in a job and not having classes all day long with 50+ people per class, hormones raging, (plus living in the dorms) it's no longer reality.

Maybe I'll get lucky and I'll get to "test drive" all of these hybrids and EVs, Teslas, and Porsche Hybrids at the car dealers!!! Can I test drive the Porsche 918 Spyder?

 

I think the "six hybrids" is a typo by some over-zealous reporter that doesn't know the difference between a hybrid and an EV. And of course, the rest of the media just copies the first article and at the bottom types "according to..."

I think the real figure is four all new hybrids and two all new EVs. I'm not sure where the Plug-In Prius fits into that. Perhaps, since it is not "all new," it's not included in this figure.

One of these "all new" hybrids will likely be a production version of the FT-CH:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2010/09/toyota-will-have-six-new-hybrids-by-2012.html

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Couldn't they?

 

Who can tell me about connecting my cell phone, by blue tooth, to my Prius phone. I want to upload all my contacts to my car without having to do it one at a time. Molly