Toyota to introduce new line of hybrids - sedan,station wagon,minivan & diesel hybrid
12-28-06, 07:44 AM
#1
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Toyota to introduce new line of hybrids - sedan,station wagon,minivan & diesel hybrid
Posted on Thursday 28 December 2006
A brand new hybrid-only model will join Toyota’s Prius in 2009 to help the Japanese carmaker boost its sales of hybrid vehicles past 1m. The new model will be a midsize sedan and come fitted with a 2.5-3.0L engine, rather than the anemic 1.5L engine currently found in the Prius.
The sedan will get Toyota’s third-generation hybrid system, which promises to be both smaller and lower priced, reports Japan’s Asahi newspaper. The new drivetrain will also feature in the next generation Prius that’s due in 2009 as well as other hybrid Toyota models. It should reduce the current price penalty of being green from $4,000 down to $1,900.
Toyota’s also looking in to rolling out hybrid-only station wagons and minivans down the track. A diesel hybrid is expected by 2010, and should achieve ratings of over 50mpg, even with the tough new EPA standards.
A brand new hybrid-only model will join Toyota’s Prius in 2009 to help the Japanese carmaker boost its sales of hybrid vehicles past 1m. The new model will be a midsize sedan and come fitted with a 2.5-3.0L engine, rather than the anemic 1.5L engine currently found in the Prius.
The sedan will get Toyota’s third-generation hybrid system, which promises to be both smaller and lower priced, reports Japan’s Asahi newspaper. The new drivetrain will also feature in the next generation Prius that’s due in 2009 as well as other hybrid Toyota models. It should reduce the current price penalty of being green from $4,000 down to $1,900.
Toyota’s also looking in to rolling out hybrid-only station wagons and minivans down the track. A diesel hybrid is expected by 2010, and should achieve ratings of over 50mpg, even with the tough new EPA standards.
12-28-06, 08:50 AM
#3
EV ftw!!!
The diesel hybrids sound interesting. Just imagine the mileage that will be achieved on a tankfull on those cars 
12-28-06, 09:17 AM
#5
EV ftw!!!
12-28-06, 09:52 AM
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12-28-06, 02:02 PM
#10
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It has something to do with the "cool factor". A lot of potential customers out there think driving or owning a hybrid vehicle is "cool", while they don't really know (or care) much about how much gas money they can save or how it's better for the environment. These people want their hybrid vehicles to look different than other cars on the street. A hybrid Camry or RX or Accord or Civic won't satisfy their needs.
12-28-06, 09:30 PM
#11
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So designing a vehicle to ONLY have a hybrid drivetrain means it doesn't have to have packaging compromises to support both hybrid and non-hybrid drivetrains freeing up the engineers to innovate.
The Prius is decent, but Toyota can and will do a lot better, especially if they get to much smaller and lighter lithium ion batteries.
12-28-06, 09:52 PM
#14
I think there was news about Toyota wanting to make a brand out of the Prius name, and making Prius sedans, coupes, minivans, etc. Though this might make for an interesting spinoff, I do agree that Toyota is much better off making a hybrid Camry, Sienna, etc. The Toyota brand is big enough as is.
12-28-06, 10:41 PM
#15
The thing is, whether they'll make it closer to the Avensis as opposed to the Camry. The Camry in the Japan must be big compared to their cars. Something like the Avensis (which I believe is still midsize but on the smaller end of the scale) should suit them better. Besides, it'll be lighter too making better use of the 2.5 - 3.0 litre engine.