A Hybrid Clarification

You probably remember that Toyota has announced plans to show two new dedicated hybrid vehicles at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January – one for Toyota, and the other for Lexus.

A report in Monday’s news indicating that Toyota might be showing a new third hybrid car at the Detroit show was the result of an apparent misunderstanding.

We’d like to clarify this: We will show one Toyota hybrid and one new Lexus hybrid.

- Jon F. Thompson, Editor, Open Road

Comments

[Billy]

Jon,

It's my job as a journalist to try and stealthily squeeze as much info out of you as possible, so here's a query: are these two new models completely new from the ground up, or hybrid versions of existing models? (why do I know you probably can't answer this?)
Best,

Billy

[Manu]

The new Toyota is the prius 2009 model.

[Gary]

Billy, earlier reports said the 2009 Prius would be virtually unchanged from the 2008 Prius. That is not an "unveiling." Jon's message above says "New .. hybrid vehicles." This should imply that it will either be a redesigned Prius (2010 model year), or else another model.

[Hirotomo Nii]

Hybrid Prius is a new tactical vehicle? Does that thing work on and off and use the torque so on pumps in more fuel and off transmissions new lengths in velocity and torque? What if I have to run it in real rally time? Is it possible to waste-torque-collect and re-propulsion energy and then have a on and on application? Can’t we build a kinetic bridge that is propane driven and add that to our re-propulsion item? Anyway, I hope you sell more Toyotas. So, the hybrid stays 87 oct. and electric and we add the propane and re-propulsion!

[John Orrell]

To Whom It May Concern,
I was thinking about buying a hybrid car in the future so I thought I would read up on it. I'd read that the 2008 Prius engages the gasoline engine at 35mph so as to not heat up the nickel/cadmium batteries. Is this engagement speed going to increase with the implementation of the lithium/ion batteries and if you create this car with solar panels, how much will this increase the price and weight of the car as to the total savings in mpg?
Respectfully,
John

[lem]

Will it be better to wait for the 09 or 10 Prius than paying the surcharge of 3500 for the 08? Thanks.

[Sheldon]

Any word of the 2009 Prius having power seats?

[JB]

I read that Toyota's building a new plant in Mississippi to assemble Priuses for sale in USA & Canada. We're delighted to hear that; my whole family would have Priuses if they were assembled here. About when will the first assembled-in-America Priuses roll off the line?

[Joseph Poliakon]

JB --- The news releases I read say that the new Toyota Factory being built in Blue Springs, MS will have its first Made In USA Prius roll off the Production Line at the end of Calendar Year 2010. That translates to Prius Model Year 2011.

[andy schwartz]

so is the 2009 Prius going to be exactly the same as the 2008? cannot seem to find a definitive answer. please email - myasg@aol.com - thanks.

[Lucky2beme]

I am poised with my hand on my checkbook ready to pay cash for a 2010 Prius as soon as they are available. I have spoken to or visited every Toyota dealer in my area, all I have gotten is a "Spring" expected availability date. They say they can put me on a "List" but can give few to no details beyond that.
Because I am female the most important issue to me is COLOR! I am really counting on Toyota stepping up and giving me a beautiful bright YELLOW! Not the orange/gold they tried on the Matrix, but a REAL YELLOW!
I am waiting for January with more anticipation than Christmas because I am hoping that with the Show introduction I will get pricing and color details.