Toyota’s Prius c And another PHEV in Detroit

[xcel]

Most fuel efficient and a_PHEV Concept debut in Detroit.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Dec. 20, 2011

2012 Toyota Prius c - 50 + mpgUS is a given and at < $20K, not a bad deal indeed!

Toyota this morning previewed an all-new PHEV concept with a teaser image of its passenger front fascia and headlamps. While I know little about this Concept called the Toyota NS4, we do know a little about the upcoming Prius c. Namely that it will be the most fuel efficient mass produced car in the world.

In Detroit, the Prius c will officially join the Prius family of vehicles with availability in the spring of 2012. In doing so, the subcompact will arrive with a 1.5L ICE and Hybrid Synergy. Positioned as an entry into the Prius Family, the c will appeal to younger buyers seeking low cost at the pump, low total cost of ownership and advanced technology.

What we know is that the c will arrive with a > 50 mpg city rating. It darn well better given it should weigh 500 pounds less than the much larger Prius Given Toyota’s penchant for adding Entune multimedia system to its latest offerings, expect higher trim levels to incorporate it with the base offering a Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity solution with steering-wheel audio controls.

As a 5-door hatch based off the new Yaris, its versatile cargo flexibility will meet the needs of a broad range of new owners.

2012 Prus c Interior

Prius c vs. Yaris

	Prius c	Yaris
Length (in.)	157.3	153.5
Width (in.)	66.7	66.7
Height (in.)	56.9	59.4
Wheelbase (in.)	100.4	98.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	TBA	2,315 w/ AT

Both will include a 1.5L I4, 16V DOHC with VVT-i with the Prius c providing a CARB based SULEV emissions rating and the Yaris at ULEV-II.

2013 Toyota NS4 PHEV Concept - The Teaser

[Harold]

I would like to see a smaller 1ltr. ICE! H

[WriConsult]

Whoa, 2300lb?! Now that is a surprise. MPG rating should be spectacular!

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

Whoa, 2300lb?! Now that is a surprise. MPG rating should be spectacular!

Maybe not the EPA rating, but real-world is another matter.

Less weight but smaller engine, less aerodynamic, less powerful motor and smaller battery.

City should be good but don't know about the highway.

[WriConsult]

City's more important anyway, so even if the hwy mpg doesn't top the regular prius it should still be capable of spectacular numbers.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

City's more important anyway, so even if the hwy mpg doesn't top the regular prius it should still be capable of spectacular numbers.

Not for us, it's not.

We're 20k + 10k per year. If short trips account for as much as 10 miles per week that's extremely unusual. Outside of that the shortest trip is my wife's commute (one way) of 17.5 miles and most of that is 50-55 mph PSL.

[civic94coupe206]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

Maybe not the EPA rating, but real-world is another matter.

Less weight but smaller engine, less aerodynamic, less powerful motor and smaller battery.

City should be good but don't know about the highway.

How did it get worse aero? I thought this is smaller than the prius.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by civic94coupe206

How did it get worse aero? I thought this is smaller than the prius.

The shorter body cut the Kammback off.

[WriConsult]

Originally Posted by ItsNotAboutTheMoney

Not for us, it's not.

We're 20k + 10k per year. If short trips account for as much as 10 miles per week that's extremely unusual. Outside of that the shortest trip is my wife's commute (one way) of 17.5 miles and most of that is 50-55 mph PSL.

True, city isn't more important for everyone. If anything, I suspect the cleanmpg user base leans towards more highway than city driving, and my urban/suburban biased mix is not very representative here. But there's a reason the EPA weights city driving more heavily than highway driving in coming up with the combined figure.

[ItsNotAboutTheMoney]

Originally Posted by WriConsult

True, city isn't more important for everyone. If anything, I suspect the cleanmpg user base leans towards more highway than city driving, and my urban/suburban biased mix is not very representative here. But there's a reason the EPA weights city driving more heavily than highway driving in coming up with the combined figure.

Oh, I don't doubt that the c could be a huge success even with highway in the high 40s, but I'm hoping that a lighter vehicle with a different shape could improve both the response and the visibility and satisfy my "normal" wife, while also beating the Prius liftback for commutes and our shared miles.