Exclusive: New Prius models to be named Prius V and Prius C

Not too interested in the Prius V but would be very interested in Prius C if weight to power ratio is significantly lower than the current Prius.

 

I don't care too much about the naming. V & C ? Not real exciting...but who cares? Basicly what seems to be happening is the concious choice of Toyota to turn Prius the model into "Prius" the Brand.

So how do you guys feel about it? In a few years when you say "I drive a Prius" you might have to elaborate and be more specific.

As far as the products go? I'd be intereted in both...but need to see them and know the specifics...but a Bigger Prius...and a smaller hybrid...I'd look at both, I think there is a place for both products.

 

I wonder if the prius c is a de-contented ct200h

 

I agree that Prius V can be confusing. Couldn't they just go with two alphabet? Something liike CT and VT.

 

I think that the V will be a big hit with the older current Prius buyer while the C will appeal to the first time buyer and the huge number of current buyers who cannot afford or who will not qualify for a $30000-ish vehicle. But they will be able to qualify/afford an $18 -$19K vehicle.

 

So many interesting choices coming in 2012, I wish my '04 would just die already.

Fat chance ;-)

 

I don't think Toyota will have to worry about the Prius C destroying sales of the Yaris and Scions. Toyota sells far more Yarises and Scions than Priuses (based on what I see on the road - please feel free to correct me if you have actual sales data). And, even if the Prius C could take away a significant amount of sales from Yaris and Scion, why would the dealers complain? They are still selling cars, one way or another.

Too concerned that Toyota is filling their line-up with (small) sized cars? I don't exactly see people rushing in to buy gas-guzzling Sequoias. Does Toyota even sell enough gas-guzzling Sequoias to justify still making it?

 

Is'nt there already a Prius 5? (V)

 

Wow. I have to say I hate lazy letter numbering schemes. I really hate it. Like in the Scion line it's so forgettable, what's a xa xb tc? Who knows? Or better yet who cares. Most brands don't do this until you get upscale and even BMW is smart enough to at least have a hint of the car behind the numbers, but Acura, for example, isn't.

Still interested in the V. I wish it would have a real name.

I guarantee when people have told others "I drive a scion xA" They're like "which one is that?" Because nobody else knows/cares/can remember these stupid letters.

 

I'm looking at it from the volume, MPG and a scaled merit factor:

	Column 1	Column 2	Column 3	Column 4
0	year	ft {3}	MPG	CH factor
1	2001	101	44.8	45.3
2	2004	112	47.3	53.0
3	2010	116	49.3	57.2

Chris Hogan (CH) factor is (.01*(.5*volume)*MPG).

So I'm looking at the drive system and though PHEV will fractionally improve MPG, it is range limited. Volume has also increased, improving vehicle utility but it is hard to image larger volumes with equivalent MPG. The next vehicles will be interesting.

The only 'low hanging fruit' parallel to PHEV are articulating, front air inlet and engine compartment thermal management. Until the ICE is warmed up, the engine compartment should be closed. Once operating temperature is reached, admit only enough air to maintain temperature. Then when the car is parked, let the exhaust manifold heat load escape and seal it up. A thermally insulated, engine and drive compartment makes a lot of sense and can compete with PHEV beyond battery range.

Bob Wilson

 

It may be the "V" and "C" names are the pre-production names used internally. Often this happens (a project name), then it goes to marketing for the "real" street name.

-I- wouldn't panic over the name just yet.

 

They're calling it a "Prius C" and "Prius V" so that people still say "I drive a Prius."

When Toyota named the Camry and Corola, people no longer say "I drive a Toyota." They say "I drive a Camry." Toyota wants to meek sure everyone says "Prius."

 

Probably not. The CT200h has the same wheelbase and drivetrain as the Gen3 Prius

 

Where is my Prius Minivan?

Seriously, we now have a kid and grandparents in our family and I was really really hoping beyond hope that the new Prius would be the Estima Hybrid they sell in Japan.

(oh well)

At least I guess we are now free to buy any old minivan (still won't buy an SUV on principle) for our trippin around. Still sucks that over a decade after the release of the original Prius, we don't see a good minivan option for the hybrid lovin crowd.

 

I imagine as soon as they can deliver MPG's in the 40's with a mini-van they will!

 

Maybe they mean the Prius V is bigger and can comfotably seats five, or the V stands for "V"ictory for this model will shutup all the rear windows visibility nay sayers; and the Prius C is a "C"ompact?

 

No, that's got a 100mm shorter wheelbase (2600mm vs 2700mm). It does have the same drivetrain, but if it shares any other parts with anything, it's more likely to be the Auris HSD (i.e. Corolla), though Toyota and Lexus seem not to follow the 'platform' mentality as thoroughly as other manufacturers. As I recall the CT200h has independent, rather than torsion beam, rear suspension.

I wonder, actually, if the Prius C will be the production version of the FT-Ch.

 

Prius V should be named "Prius 7". Seven seater, simple.