TORRANCE, Calif. — Taking a page from the tuners, Toyota said a sporty Touring Edition of its popular Prius hybrid sedan will hit showrooms later this month, with a base price of $23,650, including a $580 shipping charge.
The 2007 Prius Touring Edition will feature 16-inch alloy wheels, a larger rear spoiler, foglamps and high-intensity-discharge headlamps. A tuned suspension will be standard equipment. Toyota also raised prices for the base Prius by $450 for '07. The Prius will start at $22,755, including a $580 shipping charge.
The Japanese automaker at the same time announced a round of price increases for much of its U.S. lineup, including a $200 price hike for the late-model-year version of the 2007 FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser will now start at $22,515, including a $605 shipping charge, for the base two-wheel-drive automatic model, the company said.
The 2007 Camry will also get an increase of $250. A base Camry CE with a four-cylinder engine now starts at $18,850, including a $580 shipping charge. Toyota said the price adjustment for the 2007 Camry will take effect with vehicles produced on or after August 28 for U.S.-built models. For Camry models from Japan, the new prices will take effect on or after September 2.
What this means to you: Toyota is one of the few manufacturers that can actually get away with jacking up prices, especially in an era when Detroit automakers are constantly scaling back their MSRPs.
Prius gets side airbags standard, hence the larger price increase...
JLSC4
08-09-06, 07:07 AM
Finally! Bigger wheels for the Prius. :thumbup:
Of course this means slightly less gas mileage, but it's worth it.
The tiny wheels have been the biggest turn off for me with the Prius.
Nextourer
08-09-06, 12:04 PM
And maybe some will remove the plastic wheelcovers and expose the JDM-like gunmetal rim behind it haha. It's like two wheels in one!
UberNoob
08-09-06, 02:17 PM
does this mean that prius will be even slower and less fuel efficient???
bigger wheels, more airbags, larger spoiler will all weigh the car down more
and with HID draining a bit more power from batteries, will the car be less efficient? or will it be negligible differences
spwolf
08-09-06, 02:39 PM
does this mean that prius will be even slower and less fuel efficient???
bigger wheels, more airbags, larger spoiler will all weigh the car down more
and with HID draining a bit more power from batteries, will the car be less efficient? or will it be negligible differences
most definetly... of course, you dont have to get touring package...
bruce van
08-09-06, 04:32 PM
It's ironic Toyota wants to dress up and make a car look better, but in the end makes it less efficient to defeat the reason why it was designed. Most Prius owners could probably care less about making
their cars look better and give up MPG.
I think I can count on one hand how many Prius owners I've seen with non-stock wheels. The last
one I saw a couple days ago with Scion TC wheels. Looked pretty good too.
spwolf
08-09-06, 04:44 PM
It's ironic Toyota wants to dress up and make a car look better, but in the end makes it less efficient to defeat the reason why it was designed. Most Prius owners could probably care less about making
their cars look better and give up MPG.
I think I can count on one hand how many Prius owners I've seen with non-stock wheels. The last
one I saw a couple days ago with Scion TC wheels. Looked pretty good too.
um, it is an option? if someone doesnt like it, they dont have to order it?
But actually, many Prius owners are looking into improving the handling of prius actually... Of course, it is not like touring package will get 10mpg less... probably more like 1mpg.
GFerg
08-09-06, 05:01 PM
Wow....even gas sipping Prius's need to be sporty.
LAME!
JLSC4
08-09-06, 05:02 PM
Out of the hundreds of Prius's I've seen, I've never seen one with a set of aftermarket wheels on it surprisingly. They've all had the tiny stock package. I guess most don't care about the looks but really it's about the efficiency.
GFerg
08-09-06, 05:07 PM
By the way it doesnt look like the Highlander will be replaced for MY2007. How long has this model been on sale?? Time for an upgrade IMO. The new Pilot will probably make it to production before it.
For 2007, the Highlander mid-size SUV will add safety enhancements and significant additional value. All Highlander gas models will receive driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front and second row side curtain airbags with roll-over sensor as standard equipment. In addition, the 2007, Highlander offers new and value oriented Extra Value Packages (EVPs). The base MSRP for conventional Highlander models range from $24,880 for the 2WD four-cylinder model to $32,210 for the 4WD Limited V6 model. Total Highlander average MSRP increase is $350 or 1.3 percent.
Highlander Hybrid will offer two-row models for both base and Limited grades for 2007. The base MSRP ranges from $32,490 for the 2WD base two-row model to $36,550 for the 4WD Limited three-row model. For 2007, highlander Hybrid also offers new and value oriented EVPs. Full federal hybrid tax credit will be available for purchases completed through September 2006. The approved credit amount for Highlander Hybrid is $2,600.
videcormeum
08-09-06, 09:21 PM
Wow....even gas sipping Prius's need to be sporty.
LAME!
I agree - nothing about this car is or was intended to be sporty.
I thought the Prius already came w/ HIDs std ...
M.
Nextourer
08-10-06, 12:08 AM
does this mean that prius will be even slower and less fuel efficient???
bigger wheels, more airbags, larger spoiler will all weigh the car down more
and with HID draining a bit more power from batteries, will the car be less efficient? or will it be negligible differences
No.. only the wheels since the airbags and HIDs were already an option for the past few years and a lot of owners are running around on fully loaded models but upping it by one inch isn't gonna put that big of a dent in mileage. It'll definitely handle a bit better since it's running on P195/55R16 tyres.
Toyota can add anything to the Prius, and it will still sell like hotcakes.
Thank goodness we're a little more informed than the general public. I guess we'll wait for the next gen Prius before going buck wild on this one... :D
Gotham
08-18-06, 09:35 AM
I normally don't care for debadging cars, but I would rip those side "Hybrid" badges off if I had a newer Prius.
JLSC4
08-18-06, 03:50 PM
I normally don't care for debadging cars, but I would rip those side "Hybrid" badges off if I had a newer Prius.
Why?
Many hybrid car owners have let automakers know that they want more badging or other que's to let everyone know they're driving a hybrid. Many people are trying to make a statement when they buy a Prius or other hybrid.
Nextourer
08-18-06, 04:26 PM
Sure thing. Just send them over to me when you do rip 'em off haha.
bitkahuna
08-18-06, 10:03 PM
There's more 'sport' in my lawnmower. :D
lexusls430
08-19-06, 10:06 AM
Good improvements. By the way HIDS take less power then halogens.