I was browsing the Japanese site, obviously the Prius section. I noticed in one of the pictures that the climate control layout is different. Right now, we have more or less square buttons. In the new one, the buttons at the end are rounded off. e.g the LO and HI button the fan array are rounded at the end. The buttons also seem to have been rearranged. The temp buttons are now arranged horizontally at the top as opposed to vertically at the right side as it is now. http://toyota.jp/prius/interior/index.html Click on Front View, then click on the hot spot over the left centre vent for a picture. Oh and I more thing, what's that big blob of green between the red triangle of death and the speedo. I don't remember anything in between those two in our cars.
It has been suggested that the new MFD is better quality for 2006 such as for the Lexus. So it probably is the new layout. As for the blog of green, it looks like the shifting positions (D, N, R, etc.) It goes red triangle, shift positions, speedo and gas guage. Hope this helps. (look for the thread about new MFD and there is more information that you would probably like to take a look at)
TP, nice forward. Thanks. It sure would be great to have this. It appears to me at least that you'd be able to distinguish things faster while driving. I like the thicker, rounded borders and the font is very nice. The horizontal orientation is closer to what many have grown up with using sliders so it's perhaps more intuitive. Now I'm really glad I waited until 2006. Thanks for the tip and let's hope this is it.