FYI Japanese market Prius

eh, it is not really textured... it is textured SOFT plastics with LEATHER steering wheel.... How awesome is that? If not that it almost looks the same, I would feel really bad... this way I dont care...

 

I think the MP3 player is on the right, lower corner of the audio unit. I've seen better pictures on the other post of the supposed US version. It's almost like it disappeared in the flash on the Japaneese site.

 

Anyone notice the 'DVD' logo next to the load button for the CD slot? Might that mean their audio unit also plays DVD movies? I think we need that. I like the textured dash, but wish it was in a contrasting color like the '05. The new dash panels seems to match the color of the rest of the dash that extends toward the windshield. Kind of takes away from the prominence and span the old dash had along the control area.

 

Is that the camera to the left of (and above) the rear lisence plate?

 

The Australian Prius has the Power button in the same position as the Japanese model. We get the EV switch fitted next to the keyfob socket, too.

 

The NAV system in Japan is way superior to the US one. I doubt we will catch up.

 

No, I think that's the WMA/MP3 label that means "This stereo reads MP3's and WMA files from CD".

This is generally the case. The Japanese market is, in general:
1) More interested in more gadgets.
2) More capable of using more complex gadgets.
3) More tolerant of the failure of cutting-edge technology.

Than the US market. That's one of the reasons why the most cutting-edge stuff is marketed in Japan before the US.

 

It will read WMA's? Cool!

 

If it was white lather, it would be keeping you clean, but since it is gray lather....

 

I also noticed, that the Japanese do not wait to see what the US or the rest of the world will decide what will become a standard. They've got the technology and they use it. For example, we are still debating if Blue-Ray will be the standard or HDD. This is already old technology, has been on the market in Japan for years and we still can't buy either of them because we are still deciding what the standard will be. I know it is not a car example, but that's what I could think of right now as an example.
They have both technologies available to them at the same time and they get to pick whichever they want.

 

I don't think that's a cassette player, it's an MD player. Asia & Europe no longer use cassettes (correct me if I am wrong) AFAIK.

I got one of those JDM right panel + power button assembly. I tried to install it onto my US-spec Prius for fun but failed. They are not compatible unless you do a lot of trimming (both on the panel & on your Prius). No way that I'm doing it.

Many existing & most future Toyota models feature integrated (in-dash) DVD/Nav system instead of our '05 remote style - remember that our Nav system is underneath the driver's seat. And this new integrated style is bad when it comes to upgrade, this is one reason why you should be glad that you got a '04 or 05. Reason: Integrated style is very hard (if at all possible) to tap anything (audio + video) in. We tried to find a reverse camera video interface for the '05 Highlander which already uses this integrated nav system, no company makes anything like that and they all made it sound like a mission impossible.

About the "Hybrid" emblem atop the sidemarker, it will be available at you-know-where as soon as it comes out in Japan as purchasable parts. B)