Toyota is developing a range of Priuses that will include a small pickup based on the 2008 A-BAT concept and a sporty, 2+2 coupe to compete with Honda's upcoming CRZ hybrid coupe. The Prius coupe will have a lower roofline than that of the all-new 2010 Prius hatchback sedan launching this year and will share its powertrain.
The 2010 Prius sedan's battery technology is carried over from the 2004-2009 model, but its 1.5-liter engine may get a small bump in displacement or power output with no penalty in fuel economy. Since the 2+2 coupe will be significantly lighter than the hatchback sedan, having the same powertrain means it will be quicker and faster. Think 1984 Honda CRX with a standard Civic four-cylinder.
We still can't say whether the A-BAT pickup, expected as a production truck no earlier than calendar 2010, will be badged a Toyota or a Scion. Management has decided to return Scion to its original mission of offering only one generation of each model, which would limit the A-BAT's lifespan. A small hybrid pickup would go far in improving Toyota's Corporate Average Fuel Economy for trucks, so you can expect it would be around for more than one product lifecycle.
The 2010 Prius sedan's battery technology is carried over from the 2004-2009 model, but its 1.5-liter engine may get a small bump in displacement or power output with no penalty in fuel economy. Since the 2+2 coupe will be significantly lighter than the hatchback sedan, having the same powertrain means it will be quicker and faster. Think 1984 Honda CRX with a standard Civic four-cylinder.
We still can't say whether the A-BAT pickup, expected as a production truck no earlier than calendar 2010, will be badged a Toyota or a Scion. Management has decided to return Scion to its original mission of offering only one generation of each model, which would limit the A-BAT's lifespan. A small hybrid pickup would go far in improving Toyota's Corporate Average Fuel Economy for trucks, so you can expect it would be around for more than one product lifecycle.