Prius C EPA rating of 53/46 mpg, to start below $19k

[Daox]

This is the car I've been waiting for ever since it was the FT-CH concept vehicle. The numbers are in and its looking pretty good. It has a city rating of 53 mpg (highest of any non-plugin car) and 46 hwy (which is still better than my 2nd gen Prius' 45 rating which routinely gets 55 @ 60 mph in summer). Combine that with a starting price of under $19,000 and I think we have a winner.

The downsides I see are the lack of aero consideration in this car. Obviously with shortening the vehicle up you compromise things. With a bit more finesse this thing could have had a 50 mpg hwy rating. A boat tail or kamm back I'm sure would do it wonders. I'm sure aftermarket PHEV kits will be available at some point too. Although it is disappointing to see max EV speed only at 25 mph. My guess is they geared it more for acceleration than the other Prius (mine can do 34 mph).

2012 Toyota Prius C: 50-MPG Subcompact Hybrid For $19K, Detroit Auto Show Details

[ProDarwin]

I like this. Will definitely be considering one in a few years when it is time to replace my DD (provided PHEVs are still too expensive). I think Toyota's "Prius Family" is a fantastic idea (although they should've put sliding rear doors on the V, or make a model with them).

[JediSpam]

I have interest in this due to its lower price point than the other prius. Can't wait for some real testing

[oil pan 4]

Ooooo, sucks to be GM.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Daox

This is the car I've been waiting for ever since it was the FT-CH concept vehicle. The numbers are in and its looking pretty good. It has a city rating of 53 mpg (highest of any non-plugin car) and 46 hwy (which is still better than my 2nd gen Prius' 45 rating which routinely gets 55 @ 60 mph in summer). Combine that with a starting price of under $19,000 and I think we have a winner.

The downsides I see are the lack of aero consideration in this car.

Its too bad nobody wants to make a long subcompact, the main selling point of this car is the price point which is good, I just wish they would have gone for the gusto with an Insight I MPG buster, a few tweaks to the length and the rearend and Voila! 60mpg

In several years when my cobalt gets traded in this might be what I go for, trouble is I will want to mod the backend

Or if I ever find an Insight I that isn't $8k with 150k miles in wisconsin.

Anyway, does this car have real specs out yet on the motor size, final drive ratio, etc? Is it the same as a standard prius?

I wonder if altering the final drive ratio might work if they did indeed cripple the car?

[Daox]

Read the article.

Toyota says it has redesigned virtually every element of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to lower the size and weight of the components.

...

The 2013 Toyota Prius C uses a 1.5-liter Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine producing 73 horsepower, along with a 45-kilowatt (60-hp) electric motor-generator. Total maximum power output of the combined system is 99 horsepower.

I highly doubt that final drive would be crippling the car. If you look at the 2nd gen (1.5L) Prius BSFC map, as soon as you hit above 1200 rpm you're in a very good bsfc area all the way to redline. Yay for the atkinson engine.

[euromodder]

That looks a lot like the Yaris Hybrid , down to the alloys though with a different rear panel.
http://www.auto55.be/assets/201201/6...ris_hybrid.jpg

Unfortunately, I have bad memories about the Yaris' seats.

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's some better pictures of the Prius C:

2013 Toyota Prius c: Photo Gallery - KickingTires

[California98Civic]

Wow. One of my dislikes about hybrids has been a gripe about pricing. But this is about the same price as a 2012 Civic HF--and it has slightly better hwy mileage and far better city. [takes a second look]