Toyota Prius Sports Coupe in Pipeline - Motor Trend This seems unlikely, but I thought I'd share anyway.
Dear God that thing is ugly. Thankfully it is just one artists impression - loosely translated Motor Trend is taking a flyer on this - call it page filler or link bait.
That's so far up the pipeline, it's more like a drain clog than an announcement of a real product. I'm awaiting the Prius c...dreams of a convertible, or a "sporty" Prius? I'd love to see it...but at this point it's all just concept.
Why make the Prius (a family car) in a 2 door? It is not a sporty car in any sense. And try lifting your 80 yr old mother/father/whoever out of the back seat of a 2 door ... OTOH, don't, it's downright dangerous, for them. I wouldn't put Prius name anywhere on that thingamajig.
If you are expanding a "family" of vehicles? Then Prius simply becomes the "name" of that family. So the "sporty" Prius? Becomes the sporty Prius...just like a family. Different people...different personalities...different products.. As Toyota expands the line? Prius isn't going to remain exclusively a utilitarian family hauler vehicle...
I'd take a hybrid celica type vehicle any day. It will be fun. You know...that thing you used to have before you...oh nevermind. Fuddy duddy on my brothers! Oh and...tell your damn kids to get off my lawn!
It does look like a photoshopped 80's Celica. Anyway, it would be more sporty than that Honda CRZ monstrosity. In fact, the regular Prius performs better. The Nissan Juke corners better than their "sport" hybrid. So this should give the folks a choice.
I just can't imagine who the hell is buying those things, they get pathetically horrendous mileage and are slow and have two seats. Does not compute.
It's not a point at all...you seemed upset because this "rumored, projected" concept vehicle was sporty...and somehow that violates your definition of Prius... All I'm saying is as Toyota expands the family....expect to meet members you may like or dislike. But what "Prius" is or means is likely to expand as the product line expands...not a "point"...simply reality. As I said in my original post...what is being presented in this thread is so far up the pipeline...so much a concept and projection, that I think being upset about how you think it looks...is a waste of time. But the concept of a sporty Prius? Whatever ultimate shape it takes? Is sound.
It is beautiful and I would love it. Toyota is working with Subaru on a "Toyobaru" or "Subota" combining the flat "H" Subaru engine. Should be a great package. Actually two versions for the two companies. Toyota Sports Car - 2012 Toyota/Subaru Sports Coupe from RoadandTrack.com Toyota/Subaru RWD Sports Cars for 2011 With Boxer Engines - Car News - Car and Driver
Aw, they would just charge a premium for the body style, probably mid-50's to start. In any event, that would push it to Lexus territory, so it would be a Lexus instead. BTW, Toyota is rebranding the FT86 as a Scion.
This sounds intriguing nonetheless: One of the highlights of this coupe will be the option of a manual transmission that Toyota is developing for hybrids at the Higashi-Fuji proving ground near Mt. Fuji. That manual gearbox will be bolted to the company's next-generation hybrid system with plug-in capability, a system that will be completely new and not inherited from the Prius. Our spies tell us that the sports coupe will employ a rear-drive platform and will incorporate the plug-in hybrid unit with lightweight Li-ion batteries that generate significantly more power than the current Prius, but maintain class-leading mileage and CO2 emissions.
