Spy Shots: Toyota's baby Prius C spotted for the first time

Maybe just like customer support these days, Motor Trend outsourced to somewhere in Asia to write the stuff. I think something got lost in the translation from their sources just like when a few weeks ago, it was reported that all Prii will be plug-ins by 2014.

 

As long as the c can reach 85 MPH I wouldn't mind the displacement being 1.33 if it helped with FE. Some European countries may tax the car less.

Why is everyone so enamored with the 1.8 lt? Has the gen III really seen any significant performance zip because of it? I just see it as a marketing thing, if the corolla has a 1.8 lt engine and the Prius has a 1.5 lt engine that may have lead some people to fear that the Prius II was sluggish, which for most uses and drivers it was not.

 

Well 1st Toyota hasn't made a 1.33L Atkinson, at least for sale in the US. 2nd even though the displacement difference between the 1.5L and the 1.8L is only 20%, the power difference is almost 30%. The Toyota engineers have concentrated on "Atkinsizing" the bigger engines for the US market. Even they admit the smaller engines are really hard primarily because they would have to run longer to keep the battery charged, keep the catalytic converter warm, as well as drive the car. They would only have so much to get out of the "HP" bank and keep the emissions down.

 

If they get rid of that stupid bridge from console to upper dashboard that was put in the 3G Prius & go back to more useful size door pockets & cupholders, then the Prius C might be more appealing that the current generation Prius.

 

Or they picked up something that read, "and it has the Star Safety System which includes the Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control just like its big brother the Highlander Hybrid". They looked up the Highlander Hybrid and found out it is AWD so the Prius c must have that too. Hey it could happen to anybody.

OK maybe that was too generous.

 

Ok, I like the bridge and the space below it. BTW, I was wondering if there is lighting illuminating that space!

 

Frank Toyota A Dealership in San Diego, CA.

Frank Toyota Dealership in National City, National City, CA

 

That should be easy. HH is rated 28 MPG. Escape Hybrid is rated 32 MPG so they'll have to top that to become the world's most fuel efficient SUV.

 

hm, i would guess it depends on what kind of powertrain they use on Rav4... if it is Prius based, then expect up to 38-40 mpg.

And hopefully they do both 150h and 200h versions, KIA Sportage sells a lot of their 1.6l engines in Europe, so nobody cares car is slow. I am talking about Europe though.

 

I like that bridge too. It looks cool and having that space below for keeping my iPhone is nice

Mike

 

me too... makes it look like real car

 

I recently rented a 2011 Hyundai Elantra and the first thing I noticed was no bridge

Mike

 

Another bridge fan...love it, puts my drink up high, gives me tons of room to stow crap underneath and just flat looks cool.

 

Does the little green machine have a bridge? Starting to see a lot of them up here

Mike

 

Edmunds added a page for 2012 Prius c with estimated starting price of $19,500.

2012 Toyota Prius c

 

No, has a very big lack of inside storage compared to Prius.

 

Bummer at least it looks cool from the outside Seen two of them yesterday driving around :thumb:

Mike

 

Edmunds thinks that the 'c' will debut this summer, and go on sale in spring of 2012.