Cleaner and Greener Prius To Debut in 2009

Imagine a Toyota Prius, but faster, cleaner and greener. Such a car is coming soon and will launch at the Detroit auto show in January 2009.

America has fallen for the Prius in a big way, no doubt about that. Five years on, through an extraordinary combination of style, engineering and marketing, Toyota's fuel sipping hybrid remains the absolute gold standard for eco cars in the industry.

The next generation, however, has all the makings of an even bigger hit. That's because it will be a touch bigger so offering more space. It will come with stronger 1.8-liter hybrid performance yet at the same time boast even better economy and class leading emissions, if early word is correct.

In other words, everything Americans like now about the Prius, including its unique design and crusading eco image, but in a 'smarter,' more high-grade package.

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CarbonBlue - 4/29/2008 4:59:49 PM

+1 Boost

maybe they will make it attractive this time...

M53R - 4/29/2008 5:01:25 PM

+4 Boost

I highly doubt it. But it will still sell.

WorldofLuxury - 4/29/2008 5:19:48 PM

+5 Boost

The thing is that the Prius looks different...
..."looks like a hybrid" sort of way...

That, in my opinion, is what Toyota got right, BUT yes, a little more elegant beauty would be nice, just like the concept they displayed a new months back.

lexusis350 - 4/29/2008 6:45:31 PM

+4 Boost

Hybrids are old news. Toyota should follow Honda into the hydrogen market.

Bored - 4/30/2008 6:27:00 PM

+1 Boost

lexusis350,
It's already a reality:

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=db9_1196372649

delan - 4/29/2008 10:40:24 PM

+4 Boost

Which by the time it comes out, Toyota will have already gained momentum. Look at Apple and their products. With the exception of Blackberry, everyone is trying to play catch up.

lexusis350 - 4/29/2008 11:47:34 PM

+2 Boost

I like iPhone better than Blackberry.

ChicaneShooter - 4/30/2008 2:59:59 AM

+4 Boost

"While it's still of course firmly under wraps, a well-placed Toyota source says the next generation Prius looks good. "Still Prius-eque, but a bit bigger and more solid looking."

"Sources suggest that the next Prius will be some three to four inches longer and about an inch wider, but crucially will not be significantly heavier.

"Environmentalists love the smooth, seamless power delivery of the Prius, its ability to run on clean electric power, its strong economy numbers and, not least, the pure, earth-friendly image it gives off.

"All that will continue, with two provisos. One, Toyota will re-engineer the Prius' unique gas engine/electric motor/battery powertrain to make it more efficient, more tightly packaged and to extend the driving range using battery the electric motor.

"Two, Toyota will install a bigger 1797 cc four cylinder gas engine to cope with the bigger body and counter criticism in some quarters of the weedy performance of the current 1.5.

"With the new 1.8, output's expected to shift from today's 75 bhp to a more rousing
100 bhp. This together with a next generation electric motor should lift combined system output from the current 110 bhp to some 160 bhp, sources predict.

"As such, the next Prius will be significantly faster, especially off the line and in low to mid range. But advances with the motor, battery and recharging inside Toyota's trick Hybrid Synergy Drive means economy won't be adversely affected."

528i - 4/30/2008 3:10:38 AM

0 Boost

Manchester United 1 0 Barcelona.

M53R - 4/30/2008 4:53:58 AM

0 Boost

Lucky win.

But I loved the way zambrotta ate your crying baby C.Ronaldo and made him disappear..

M35MT - 4/30/2008 7:40:16 AM

+2 Boost

No one gives a crap about soccer.

Rupert - 4/30/2008 9:56:33 AM

-2 Boost

I think rather a lot of people do actually. What should we care about? American Football??? That international sport played by...2 countries??

M53R - 4/30/2008 12:36:29 PM

-1 Boost

LOL good one Rupert.