first pictures of the new 2009 prius

IMHO, the Honda rocks! Its just beautiful and considering it could come with a moonroof, sign me up.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berylrb @ Dec 12 2006, 10:07 PM) [snapback]361359[/snapback]</div>

I noticed that already. I'm guessing that those are rearview cameras with a monitor inside.

Vince

 

My wife simply loves the look of the FCX including the dash and the instrumentation.

If they keep much of the FCX design attributes for the production model in 2008, then I suspect I'll be getting one of my cars replaced... I wonder which? Hummm... nice.

Cheers;

MSantos

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VinceDee @ Dec 13 2006, 03:21 PM) [snapback]361727[/snapback]</div>

The shot of the FCX on the road shows slightly larger side view "mirrors".

 

Seems like they plan to use the "concept" but change everything else?

http://world.honda.com/news/2006/4061129LAShowFCXConcept/

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(F8L @ Dec 14 2006, 03:07 AM) [snapback]362069[/snapback]</div>

Wow, that's quite a leap for consumers eh? I wonder how they will price it?

 

What makes the Honda unit stand out to me is the awesome, huge, REAL alloy wheels. The Prius rendering looks like they're staying with plastic wheel covers for the Toyota! Wth? Could we have some REAL wheels, please? Even if you make them aerodynamically smooth, skip the stupid plastic covers, and just form the metal the way it should be. That's how the EV1 did it, and GM managed 14 pounds per corner with VERY smooth, semi-attractive wheels. More than ten years later, I'll bet Toyota could do at least that well???

For me, wheels make all the difference in a car's appearance. Don't spend all that money on a redesign and stick the consumer with plastic wheel covers again!

 

That deep shadowed red paint job on the Honda model would look great on any car. Whereas that green Prius must be a gag to emphasize Prius' ecological green-ness.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Dec 16 2006, 03:06 AM) [snapback]363046[/snapback]</div>

Why, I agree!

Here's my wheels on my HyHi.

 

For some reason the "reply" button doesn't appear to be working so I'll do it the old-fashioned way.

reply to fphinney:
Yes, the 2009 will be available in 2008. Late 2008, of course.

replies to everyone else:
Is it just me, or does the Civic look like it needs feelers? It really reminds me of a dusky brown cockroach. This isn't Prius trash-talk, either, so please don't take offense. Then again, roaches will survive a nuclear war so maybe it says "longevity". Or perhaps "powered by kitchen waste". Mr. Fusion, anyone?

It's also interesting that the Prius really doesn't look much different than the current version. It's certainly not an all-over reimagining like the current Gen. II vs. the Gen. I.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA @ Dec 17 2006, 07:10 AM) [snapback]363374[/snapback]</div>

Why waste money on retooling, if it doesn't significantly reduce drag coefficient?

Dave M.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(The Old Man @ Dec 9 2006, 07:40 PM) [snapback]359906[/snapback]</div>

I agree. If you look closely, elongating and making the small, A-pillar window pointed is the only thing that really differentiates this artist's rendering from the current Prius.

Frankly, I suspect that The Sun simply paid someone with no actual knowledge, whatsoever, to make-up a computer-enhanced, artist's 'concept' of the current Prius to place alongside the Honda so they can claim a 'scoop'.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VinceDee @ Dec 9 2006, 02:14 PM) [snapback]359799[/snapback]</div>

The Honda FCX is the most beautiful car I've ever seen.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jared2 @ Dec 18 2006, 02:21 PM) [snapback]363867[/snapback]</div>

I do not know if I would say themost bveautiful I have ever seen.....think Dino, F430 spider, a couple of Porsche models....but maybe the most beautful car I have ever seen under $40K. I definitely like the looks of the Honda and would definitely consider one as my next Hybrid.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PA @ Dec 17 2006, 10:10 AM) [snapback]363374[/snapback]</div>

Most Toyota vehicles have a 10 yr platform life cycle. That's two different body styles on each platform each about 5 yrs long. With $Billions invested in platform development, not to mention drivetrain innovation, they need a lot of volume to amortize the Fixed Costs and developement costs. Getting volume up and eliminating the Fixed Cost component is what makes a product profitable or not.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Dec 22 2006, 05:58 PM) [snapback]365841[/snapback]</div>

The Corolla platform remained mostly unchanged from 1987 to 2001, with exterior styling changes and engine/transmission/computer upgrades along the way. 2002 was a complete redesign and remains the same through the 2007 model year.

Our 1991 Corolla LE has only 114k miles and is in excellent condition in and out and runs perfectly. We plan on keeping it another 10 years if we can as our second car. It does seem ancient compared to our 2007 Prius though. And doesn't have nearly as much get up and go!

Dave

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TJandGENESIS @ Dec 15 2006, 11:41 PM) [snapback]363063[/snapback]</div>

While we're in agreement on how important the wheels are to the looks of a vehicle, I should also add that if a major auto maker builds a modern EV, or a REAL PHEV, it could look like a steaming pile - and I'd buy the damn thing.

As it is today, I'm driving two cars that I personally think are WAY down the line from even being mildly "attractive." But I had no choice. The Rav4EV was the only EV I could purchase, and the Prius was the best sedan I could purchase in 2006. And honestly, while wheels would help, neither one could really be "saved" with great wheels. (According to my eye for style - LOL)