After weeks of speculation about a new low-cost Toyota hybrid, it's finally been confirmed that Toyota is indeed working on a new cheaper hybrid that will fit in below the Prius.
The new hybrid is going to use the same Hybrid Synergy drivetrain as the new Prius installed in the Yaris platform. This is obviously an answer to the Honda Insight that is cheaper than the Prius. Honda is also planning a hybrid Fit, so the new Yaris-based hybrid would also go head to head with that vehicle.
Toyota's new cheaper hybrid could be on the market by 2011 at the earliest.
Full Story: Autoblog
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Comments (10)
When will people realize that the batteries alone make them more damaging to the environment than most gas/diesel vehicles? Classic case of marketing gone wrong. Just because it gets better fuel economy doesn't mean it's better for the environment. Similar situation with bio-fuels, just because it's from a renewable resource doesn't mean it's more energy efficient. These are just band-aid solutions that cause more harm then good.
The solution? Friction power! Move to the top of a hill
Posted by Akkadain | March 25, 2009 12:24 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 12:24
how bout a diesel instead?
or a hybrid diesel? is that do-able?
Posted by Bradford | March 25, 2009 1:32 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 13:32
diesel is beautiful, if we could get congress to restructure the taxes on it, it would be cheaper, often cleaner, offer better fuel economy, utilizes existing infrastructure, engines tend to be more reliable, makes the world's existing oil supply last longer because it takes less crude to make a gallon of diesel vs. gas... whats not to love? The only knock against it is the tax structure, and that we can change.
Thats a band-aid I can believe in, until an acceptable alternative for the internal combustion engine can be found.
This is unrelated but, could a rotary diesel be built?
Posted by Akkadain | March 25, 2009 2:06 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 14:06
@Bradford and Akkadain: You can apply hybrid technology to any sort of car powerplant. VW has done a concept diesel hybrid that got absolutely stupid mileage. You could also apply one to a rotary engine.
The reality though is that diesels can use other technologies to make them as fuel efficeint (or more) for the same money as a hybrid system.
A rotary is not a fuel efficient design to begin with, and on top of it, one of the best aspects of the rotary design is it's small size and lower weight relative to a conventional piston engine. If we added in a hybrid system, you loose every advantage you had from using a rotary engine to begin with.
Rather than add a hybrid system, swap in a vette engine, you get low end torque, something most rotaries lack, and consider the better fuel economy, and removal of an engine as robust as a champagne flute as a bonus.
Posted by Paul | March 25, 2009 3:44 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 15:44
Was not the first generation Prius based off of the Toyota Echo? Which was also the forerunner to the Yaris? Which the Yaris shares 90% of its components with? So should this article be titled "The Old Cramped Prius With No Room For Anyone Taller Than 4'9" and Did Not Get Anywhere Near Its Advertised Gas Mileage Return"?
Just some food for thought.
Posted by Mark | March 25, 2009 4:52 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 16:52
Yeah, but can they make it NOT FUGLY? I'd rather drive a junky car that looked good and cost less.
Posted by Chmilz | March 25, 2009 7:04 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 19:04
Fugly is your opinion, That model is the very popular Vios which sell very well in South East Asia where people dont need 5 liter humongous elephants roaming the streets puking out tons of carbon emissions.
Posted by Lancewood | March 25, 2009 8:24 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 20:24
@Chmilz
I agree, what an ugly turd car, is it hard for them to make an ok looking cheap car, or are all there designers mentally retarded?
Posted by thejester | March 25, 2009 11:32 PM
Posted on March 25, 2009 23:32
Will this look exactly like the Yaris, or will it have a different body?
Come on, somebody knows.
Posted by mike | March 26, 2009 9:12 PM
Posted on March 26, 2009 21:12
beauty is in the eye of the beholder,they are not marketing to rednecks that want a bigger truck. But what is the point of a hybrid article that does not mention the mpg?
Posted by Patrick | April 8, 2009 4:44 PM
Posted on April 8, 2009 16:44