Dec 17, 2008 -
Toyota Prius Coupe and Truck in the Works
One of the most anticipated new cars is the next generation Toyota Prius. Due to the success of the hybrid, the Toyota Prius will eventually become more than just a sedan, but rather a broad range of vehicles with varying body styles. Among the body styles that may find its way to a Toyota dealer near you soon is a pickup, potentially based on the A-BAT concept, and a 2+2 coupe to compete with Honda’s CR-Z hybrid coupe.
The 2010 Prius hatchback sedan should be available next year, and Los Angeles Toyota dealers are already eagerly awaiting its arrival. The upcoming coupe will ride on the same platform as the sedan, but will feature a lower roofline, giving the coupe more sporty styling.
Although the next generation Toyota Prius will be all-new, its battery technology will be carried over from the current generation. However, used cars Albuquerque dealers expect that the 1.5 liter engine may receive a modest increase in horsepower, assuming it doesn’t adversely affect fuel economy. With the coupe being lighter and sleeker than the sedan, it’s expected to be quite faster than the sedan.
The truck inspired Toyota Prius is not set in stone, but shouldn’t arrive in dealer showrooms any earlier than 2010 says Oxnard Toyota, and may be badged as a Toyota or possibly a Scion. Toyota has decided to limit Scion models to one generation for each model from this point forward, which would significantly limit the lifespan of the hybrid pickup truck and hurt Toyota parts and accessories manufacturers that benefit from Scion vehicles. But, having a compact hybrid truck would help the automaker bring down its average fuel economy for its truck lineup, which is important internally at Toyota and also for new federal government regulations.
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