2010 Prius unveiled: Cd 0.25, 50 mpg EPA combined, EV mode

[NeilBlanchard]

Hiya,

It is disappointing that it seems that the only wheels available on the Prius III are the alloy ones. I would want to put steel wheels on it, so I could have smooth covers!

I have heard a couple of ads on the radio for new Prius' being available at dealerships -- are they already selling this model?

[groar]

Some pictures found in this thread in a french forum : prius III news - Forum Prius Touring Club but these pictures are hosted on Prius Touring Club

From front :


From front left :


From rear left :

The doors are less rounded than in Prius II.

From upper rear right :

It's about the solar panel option and their use to cool the car.

Denis.

[trikkonceptz]

How soon before someone diverts that power to trickle charge the battery pack ... LOL

[Daox]

Its only a matter of time.

[NeilBlanchard]

Hello,

Here's as many pictures as you could want of the new Prius:

Toyota Vehicles : Image Library / Toyota

There is over 100 of 'em, and you can download all of them at high resolution.

[MetroMPG]

But the bigger news is that Toyota will continue to sell the current Prius side-by-side with the new model. It's a shot across the bow aimed at Honda and their 2010 Insight hybrid (which looks an awful lot like the current Prius). This will give shoppers a choice between a new Prius, expected to be priced higher than the all-new Insight, and the current Prius, at the same or perhaps lower price than Insight.

source: Steve Parker: White House: Move up CAFE regs; Execs: Higher gas tax needed; Hybrid sales falter

[trikkonceptz]

The fact that both models will be sold side by side is more a reality of the market than a marketing ploy. In all car markets you can find the newest model and last years models on the same lot until inventory of the older is depleted.

Hell I went to a Ford dealership the other day and still saw a brand new 07 vehicle, it was a Taurus & they had an 07 F-150 still on the lot, it was custom, but none the less new and still there.

[MetroMPG]

I didn't interpret that as a situation where the previous gen will only be sold with the new model until the old inventory is depleted, but as a way to keep selling a "cheaper" Prius model. EG: I take that to mean you'll be able to buy a 2010 and 2011 (etc.) 2nd gen Prius. Not just the 2009 model year 2nd gen Prius until they're gone.

VW has been doing this for a couple of years in the Canadian market with the Golf & Jetta. You can buy brand new "previous generation" versions of those cars that are still being built and marketed as "City Jetta" and "City Golf/Rabbit" alongside the newest versions of those cars.

I think Nissan did this with its Sentra at one point as well. You could get a new Sentra, or a new Sentra Classic.

[winkosmosis]

I don't understand why they ripped off the Maxima/370Z headlights so blatantly. The weird cutout only exists on those cars, and Toyota decided they wanted them to? How does that achieve anything?

[NeilBlanchard]

Hi,

I think the center console "bridge" is going to be a deal-breaker for me (at 6'-4" tall):



I won't be able to fit my right knee at an angle, and it may become very uncomfortable in short order. Can anybody who gets to sit in this car, give us a report, please?