Rumormill: Toyota to launch Prius coupe, MPV
Posted Oct 29th 2009 7:56AM by Jeremy Korzeniewski
2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery
This isn't the first time we've heard rumblings of a possible sporty two-door Prius coupe from Toyota, but the rumor that just won't die is once again being trumpeted by Autocar in the UK. The British motoring magazine also contends that an MPV (think downsized minivan) version of the well-loved hybrid hatchback is also in the works.
Interestingly, Autocar claims that the purported Prius MPV would theoretically go up against a production version of the Honda Skydeck concept that was just shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show – this despite the fact that Honda has yet to announce any sort of production plans for a hybrid MPV of its own.
In any case, the rumored Prius coupe would reportedly come with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant and Hybrid Synergy Drive as its five-door counterpart, and it would be based on the same chassis that underpins the current model. Thoughts?
[Source: Autocar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jim 8:39AM (10/29/2009)
It has long bemused me why no manufacturer was producing a hybrid MPV. Given that these kid carriers are overwhelming used in short, moderate speed trips in urban/suburban environments. Just the kind of driving in which a hybrids efficiency is at its peak and a conventional ICE powered vehicle is least efficient.
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Invisible 10:46AM (10/29/2009)
Lexus RX!
Serge 10:09AM (10/29/2009)
Prius MPV sounds good to me.
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Invisible 10:48AM (10/29/2009)
"In any case, the rumored Prius coupe would reportedly come with the same 1.8-liter four-cylinder powerplant and Hybrid Synergy Drive as its five-door counterpart, and it would be based on the same chassis that underpins the current model. Thoughts?"
In other words, a golf cart with two doors instead of four! Is that really news?
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Wanted 12:30PM (10/29/2009)
Since when does coupe = sporty? Half of the Priuses I encounter on the highway I have to speed by because they're so darn slow.
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Laurens 1:39PM (10/29/2009)
And still manage to drive into the back of a Tesla. What are these people thinking of, if at all?
Rick 2:29PM (10/29/2009)
Driver distraction with the display?
Scotty 7:04PM (10/29/2009)
Toyota already makes a hybrid MPV, It's called the Estima (same as the Previla) for several years. It just hasn't sold it outside of japan, they are common here in NZ as used imports.
The new one (2006) get 5.0 l/100km (47 mpg US) on the Japanese 10-15 cycle and CO2 emissions of 116 g/km
http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/06/toyota_introduc.html
I don't see the advantage of building a MPV on chaises that were never meant for it when Toyota has already spent the R&D money to create a appropriate drive train for the job.
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skierpage 7:46PM (10/29/2009)
I doubt the MPV will be a "Prius", it's just another hybrid models from Toyota, as @Scotty says probably the Japanese-market Estima (Sienna) minivan. Toyota already uses that 2.4 L hybrid powertrain in the Camry hybrid, Lexus HS250h, etc.
Autocar suggests the Prius coupe "would use the same 1.8-litre VVT-i hybrid powertrain and chassis as the hatch version, with 134bhp... with a more aerodynamic body and possible weight saving". This alleged Prius coupe, the Prius hatchback (the coming European Auris hybrid), and the original all within a couple of mpg of each other would be damn impressive; Toyota gets to compete with itself while every other mid-sized combustion car (including Toyota's other hybrids) is currently stuck below 50 mpg (US EPA).
I wish Toyota would come out with a hybrid AWD wagon better than their porky V6 Highlander and RX 450h, but I doubt it'll be a "Prius"; haters will just say "Prius isn't even that economical, some models only get 44 mpg."
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Scotty 8:54PM (10/29/2009)
Actually the MPV I mentioned is AWD, with the standard hybrid drive going to the front and an electric motor tacked on the the rear. This won't really cut it off road, but nether will any mpv with it's small tires and low ground clearance.
Serge 11:42AM (10/30/2009)
Scotty: I looked up Estima Hybrid on the net and have to say I'm impressed! An AWD MPV (lots of space) with fuel efficiency comparable to Prius? Please sign me up!!!
There currently is no fuel efficient AWD people/cargo carrier on the market in the U.S. right now. There are SUVs, which are not fuel efficient and heavy (hard to slow down in slippery conditions). There are minivans, which are have a little better fuel efficiency, but not the AWDs ones (which are rare anyway. AWD is critical for "perception" purposes. Few take their 4x4s truly offroad (those who do will buy a different vehicle anyway). Heck, I owned a Jeep XJ and in North East had a really hard time getting it muddy and dusty even when I wanted to. However, a lot of people *think* they need AWD capability; when I go skiing to Vermont or New Hampshire, for example, I see lot of fancy 4x4s (with all-season tires). Were Toyota to introduce Estima Hybrid in the U.S. it would sell like hot-cakes in any state that sees snow at least once a year. Make sure it has 5-star NHTSA crash rating and every family in America is a potential customer. Toyota, don't wait for Skydeck to grab the market :)
Jim McCullough 3:53PM (11/10/2009)
A Prius-sized MPV might resemble the Toy Wish in Asian markets (under 3k lbs, 181 in long...a larger Matrix?)...with 1.8l (2ZR-FAE) of the same family as Prius engine (2ZR-FXE). But please, no friction-belted CVT..stick with the geared E-CVT...or better a 2-mode-like clutch+gears CVT.
Refs...
http://www.sgcarmart.com/new_cars/newcars_overview.php?CarCode=10702
http://www.icars.sg/photos/index.php?album=2009-toyota-wish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine
100 MPG or BUST
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