The Prius c is Official: > 50 MPG City, 1.5-liter Engine, Pretty Colors

Not sure how relevant they are to a Tokyo Auto Show. We are much more likely to hear firm Japanese mileage numbers.

 

A big booooooo to the obsolete, bulky shifter and hand brake. :smash:

 

I don't use neutral gliding so the shifter is of little matter to me. I actually prefer the conventional shifter and center hand operated parking brake.

 

Thank you for the video link.
The shifter swings itself back into the '90s. Oddly, the interior reminds me of an '80's VW or Audi as well. Oh well. Was REALLY hoping for something more concept-y.

 

Lexus HS 250h also uses the joystick as does the JDM Toyota Sai (lower end version of the HS) (2010 Toyota Sai Hybrid – Cockpit View - Car Models, News, Pictures, Price and Specification).

 

This vehicle is all about price. It's for those that for one reason or another are shut out of buying a Prius. It's designed simply to attract another segment of the market that wants superior fuel economy without being picky about size, interior content, etc.

If and when gas spikes over $5 and $6 a gallon there won't be enough of these in the world to satisfy the demand.

I'll bet dollars to donuts that it'll list for $19800 or less.

 

Spirited driving dynamics. I wonder if Toyota did anything special to improve handling and/or acceleration? Or is it simply the fact that the C is lighter?

Nice looking wheels. Good job Toyota.

 

Following is the list of differences between JP models.

		Aqua	G2 Prius	G3 Prius
1	engine kW	54	56	73
2	motor kW	45	50	60
3	system kW(ps)	73(100)	81(110)	100(136)
4	weight kg	1080	1260	1350
5	kg/ps	10.8	11.5	9.9

Ken@Japan

 

It had better be less than 19800. with a C segment interior it had better be DAMN well under 19800. If what you say is true: people buying for the fuel economy to save money... You could end up with a Yaris/Fiesta/Mazda2/Versa/Forte5Door/etc.etc. which will get less fuel economy, but saves money up front, saves tax cost, and still gets decent fuel economy.

So yea.. Prius C msrp of 16-17k or bust.

 

Thank you, Ken.

If only the motor/car_weight is calculated, the C is improved by about 5% compared to the G2 Prius. I'm optimistic that will translate into higher regen efficiency. Together with the lower weight, we might yet get close to 60 mpg city EPA.

Fingers crossed !

 

My best guess is that so Toyota doesn't have to offer a 150,000 mile battery warranty in CARB states.

 

We have 2.5 years left on our Fiesta lease. This car will definitely be a contender by the time we are ready to either buy the 'Sta or move on.

 

You listed B segment cars. If it's C segment you're comparing to Corolla/Focus/Mazda3/Sentra/Forte/etc etc.

The average driver is better off buying something other than a Prius (hell, we do 20k miles per year in our primary car and will probably only just break even on a Civic over 10 years), yet the Prius sells reasonably well. I don't see why the c should be magically different.

If they can hit $20k with A/C, cruise, USB and Bluetooth the Prius c should sell very nicely.

 

We don't have them yet. Only the Japanese has been reported for the Aqua.

Let's read between the lines:

(1) The regular Prius is in a different class so it doesn't have to beat it.
(2) That could be 51 mpg. The regular Prius is already 51mpg city.
(3) They don't mention highway mpg. I expect it to be worse due to the smaller engine and compromised aerodynamics.

So, it could be unfortunate for us, because my wife and I don't need the extra space of the Prius much but most of our miles are at speeds from 45mph to 65mph. It'd be better than her commuting in a Civic, though. Commutes are 45mph-55mph (well, 60mph for her quite a bit) but with hills to hurt the smaller engine.

However, EPA rating isn't everything. The smaller engine and lighter weight could well mean that the c will be potentially more efficient and displace the Gen 2 as the hypermiler's Prius of choice. It could still be more efficient at lower highway speeds like 45 to 55 mph. We also do quite a few additional miles at 45mph to 55mph, with hills. It might be that a Prius regular paired with a Prius c would allow us to split our 30k miles 15k-15k instead of 20k-10k as we do now.

That's something that could make my wife happy. She prefers driving the Civic, which is a more responsive, normal car. Hopefully the short rear would help visibility too.

We'll definitely take one for a test drive when they hit dealer lots.

 

If the weight is true than they have really done something. Base petrol Yaris is 1045 kg and diesel is 1135 kg, how much (if) heavier will the hybrid Yaris be?

 

Oh I agree...and The Prius c could be a great vehicle. I'm just making a mistake in thinking out loud.

I'm thinking right now? Is a pretty good time to get one of the dwindling supply of 2011 Prius...

I like smaller vehicles, but a Prius falls within the range I feel comfortable with...

I'm just projecting ahead. I'm guessing less than $20,000 for an entry level Prius c...but if you add any extra's that it going to go up quickly...and I'd want a moonroof if available.

Vs....buy a Prius II right now...which even at it's base level is pretty well equipped...

I really do expect that as the Prius family grows...and The Prius II--regular Prius 2? Is no longer the entry level Hybrid from Toyota..the price of Prius will increase.

So once again I'm paralysed by simultaneously wanting to wait to see the upcoming product....and thinking NOW might be the time to buy a hybrid.

Probably the thing that turns me off the most about The Prius c? That damn uneven bump with the seats folded down. I hate that.

Judging from the video? Toyota is definently trying to spin this vehicle as "sporty and fun"...

How it feels to drive, could become a big factor.

 

Interesting development. No hybrid weight penalty. Prius c could double the city MPG of a comparable non-hybrid and also beat Diesel on the highway.

 

Nice pickup on the weights, but I'm having trouble not being skeptical. The Yaris ICE is not bigger than the Aqua ICE, is not a bigger car, and does not carry the battery or M/G sets. So unless the transmission in the Yaris is really heavy this is not adding up.