Toyota’s Prius is now a popular name across the globe as it was one of the first green cars that went mainstream and even registered record breaking sales. Embarking on that success, Toyota now plans to extend the lineage and the latest addition is the Prius G Sports Concept that was unveiled at the Auto Salon in Tokyo. The concept is blessed with design traits that make the car aerodynamically sound and fuel efficient at the same time. The G concept houses the same 1.8L 4 cylinder engine which is found in standard Prius. Features like a revised bumper and side skirting, LED Daytime running lights and a dual exhaust system is what separates the concept from the basic model. The interior is also a tad different with RECARO sports seats, a revised steering wheel, info display, aluminum pedals and a black piano trim.
Toyota reportedly has a Prius sports wagon or SUV in works, according to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri . The SUV has been rumored to be on paper ever since the Toyota Hybrid X Concept was unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show. There’s not much going on for now in terms of official details, but we’ll have to speculate that the new models will incorporate a regenerative braking system or a solar roof option. More to it, a plug-in version is also rumored to be in the works, but given the fact that Toyota has failed to comment on any of these, we can only assume that next years motor shows in Europe and in Detroit, in the US, will shred some light. [via Edmunds]
SEMA is that place where all crazy tuner gather up and show off. The nice thing about SEMA is that you get to see daring models that otherwise would be locked on paper without ever seeing daylight. A very good example is the new Toyota Prius Aerius (Latin for “belonging to the air”) and Toyota Prius Aemulus (meaning “envious imitation”). Featuring a Five Axis Design four-piece aero kit with a front lip spoiler, new side skirts, and a rear lower valance, the new vehicles charm with the 3D Carbon body kit, crystalline tinted windows and the sky-inspired paint scheme by Nippon Color Design Studio America. Just by looking at those stylish 19-inch FIVE:AD wheels on the Prius Aerius, and we can already understand how Toyota manages to save the environment and make money at the same time.
Tuners don’t spare anything, not even the hybrid cars, which means that the Toyota Prius couldn’t be missed. No one would appreciate toying with the engines for these green babies, therefore Tommy Kaira just took care of the exterior and nothing more. As far as Tommy Kaira is concerned — which by the way thinks there’s life for “eco car tuning”, they integrated the Prius with lower front lips, larger front air dams, and thicker rims. He made the side skirts wider and gave the car a new rear bumper. They also got rid of the Prius logo (not advisable after shelling all that money on a green baby) and attached four tailpipes which makes it guised green beast. Not bad, at all!
One car that is bound to steal the show even at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show will be the Plug-in variant of the Toyota Prius. Prius which is currently the number one hybrid car sold in the world is set for more success with the addition of this variant.
This will debut with the Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept so you surely need to be at the ‘Green’ Toyota Camp in Frankfurt. The difference between a regular Prius and the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid is the ‘plug-in’ capability. Toyota now wants people to focus on the electric side of the Hybrid Drive Synergy by launching a commuter which is purely electric and can solely manage with electric power for daily, shot-distance, commuting. Following the Frankfurt debut, 150 fleet vehicles will be shipped to a select number of people whilst an extensive field trail will begin in Europe next year.
Is Toyota keen to delve furthermore on the success of the Prius with a Coupe variant? If the gossip hounds are to be believed, Toyota Prius Coupe is already in the scheme and is slated as a Honda CR-Z killer. For its design it is believed that Toyota will take assistance from Pininfarina or Italdesign. Specs wise, it will include a Prius’ 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with Synergy Drive which will render a modest 98 hp and 105Nm of Toque. Although the engine numbers are not so impressive, the Toyota Prius Coupe would compensate with a 48mpg mileage and an extremely eye-catching exterior. [via carscoop.blogspot.com]
With the world craving for greener cars, a coupe based on the highly popular Toyota Prius may not be a bad idea. The fact that there are some new details available about the coupe has spurred rumors of its development. Although it is yet to be christened (the MR-2 may see a revival), this car will directly be a competitor of the Honda CR-Z Hybrid. All that is yet known about the design is that it will be completely unique with a sporty flair.
The car will be based on a shorter variant of the Prius Platform and will offer a 2+2 seating arraignment. A massive influence of the Prius will also be seen in the cabin. Talk about the engine and powering the grind could be a revamped version of the Prius’ hybrid powertrain with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with 136PS, up from the 99PS otherwise rendered. The fuel economy of 48 mpg will be a quality you seldom attribute to a regular coupe. It should be available sometime in 2012 with a base price slightly above $22,000. [via 7tune]
I’m not sure about you, but I must say I wasn’t really happy with how the first models of Prius looked like. But as an environmentalist that I am, I wanted to believe that Toyota is going to make from Prius their best selling vehicle, with a new more attractive design. That didn’t happen and the 2010 Toyota Prius is kinda boring, like its predecessors. At least that’s what I see when I look at these leaked images which have been endorsed already by the Japanese manufacturer. There aren’t many new things between the old one and that one. Should we be disappointed, because it actually brings up something new: more interior room and better fuel economy. via WCF
We all know what’s the most successful hybrid of all times: Toyota Prius. But what we don’t enjoy very much is that it has a boring design. Things changed when Claes Gustafson and the crew at Classe’s Garage got their hands on one and created what you can see below for a Swedish TV show. And yes, that’s a Toyota Prius.
Even though the outcome is spectacular, it involved HARD work because there’s no body kit available for the Prius and they had to start with a modified Volvo XC90. They also removed the back doors and installed custom made knife doors for the front, installed a carbon fiber venturi, air suspension, 20-inch wheels and over-sized front brakes.
They didn’t work just on the tech part and the interior got improved, too. It has a central console with a custom dashboard and a 4,400-watt stereo system. However that’s not all because this hardcore Prius also features 15 LCD panels and a tablet PC for Wireless Internet.
“The goal … was to give the viewer a great show and, second, to show that a Toyota isn’t a boring and anonymous car,” Claes Gustafson told Wired. According to him, the whole idea was “to show that every car can be styled.”
It looks stunning and has a price that competes with that: $184,275. Is it worth it?
My biggest concern if all these things can be supported by those 4 batteries.
Hybrid cars are going to be the next best thing, or at least that’s what researchers say. With oil prices reaching record levels it’s really hard to drive a car that consumes 20-25 liters for every 100km.
The best selling hybrid, Toyota Prius has news for us. They’re going to change it and recent spy shots show a newly styled body. It’s longer, wider and has a larger boot, features better fuel economy and rumors say it won’t feature NiMh batteries anymore. But Li-ion, which are lighter and smaller, making it faster and more spacious.
The new Toyota Prius will be official in 2010 and some talk of a two-door coupe, a wagon or a commuter version to enrich the brand.
