Archives

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg The new hybrid, based on Toyota's Vitz compact car, will have a fuel economy of more than 40km per litre, against 38km for the third-generation Prius, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, without citing so (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=227511#post227511)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2007_Toyota_Yaris2.jpgRicardo Bowlin - CleanMPG (www.cleanmpg.com) - Aug 14, 2009

TOYOTA Motor Corp will start selling a new hybrid car in 2011 that is more fuel efficient than its Prius, in a bid to keep pole position in environmentally friendly vehicles, a report said on Thursday.

The new hybrid, based on Toyota's Vitz compact car, will have a fuel economy of more than 40km per litre, against 38km for the third-generation Prius, the Yomiuri newspaper reported, without citing sources.

It will have a price tag of about 1.5 million yen (US$15,500), cheaper than Toyota's existing hybrids, and is expected to be sold in Japan, Europe and the United States, the report said. A Toyota spokesman declined to comment.

Toyota has sold more than 1.25 million Prius vehicles since its launch in 1997, making it the world's most popular hybrid, but rival automakers such as Honda and General Motors are seeking to challenge its lead.

Automakers hope that the popularity of fuel-efficient vehicles, helped by government tax breaks, will re-energise the flagging auto market, which has been battered by the global economic downturn.

The Prius has been Japan's top-selling car in recent months as government subsidies spur strong demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

With a hybrid version of the yaris on the horizons, it wouldn't be too surprising if the new hybrid is even quite a bit more efficient than the Prius. The Insight II might have some real trouble ahead.

a hybrid for less than $16,000??? sounds good... if true.

That's a good vehicle to hybridize since the base model is already so fuel efficient. I'd like my next car to be either a hybrid Fit or a hybrid Yaris. Of course, I wouldn't say no to a hybrid Scion either.

Where's the effin' *minivan* ...
.
_H*

Where's the effin' *minivan* ...
.
_H*

Got yer minivan right here - http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=honda+freed
Honda Freed - 8 passenger minivan based on the Fit platform. Considering it is Fit (and therefore Insight II) based, I am betting that those 8 passengers are Snow White, Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy and Sneezy.
Will we see it on this side of the Pacific? There are rumors but no official leaks about any decisions made. But we can definitely hope.

Keep an eye on Toyota — they aren't deaf to the minivan request. ;)

Keep an eye on Toyota — they aren't deaf to the minivan request. ;) They could have fooled me & so could the other top manufacturer that makes hybrids and minvans. posted from my phone

Where's the effin' *minivan*

Toyota has been making a hybrid minivan for years in Japan. It's the Next generation of the Previa called the Estima. Why they don't sell it here? My guess: Americans want more power and the Previa was panned in the press for it's lack of power. Sales were slow despite of the top marks they got from JD Power. Toyota dropped the Previa in N.A. and replaced it with the Sienna which comes with a V6.

Once again, they aren't deaf to the request. Look for something in the next couple of years.

Are you saying that from some position of authoritative knowledge,
or just guessing? If the former, spill it.
.
_H*

as i attempted to post from my mobile last night, I wouldn't hold my breath, another major hybrid manufacturer should also stop dragging their feet on that topic

Al, it isn't guessing but I can't "spill" it. Sorry.