2016 Toyota Prius (photos, specifications, Cd 0.24)

[niky]

Love how the unusual greenhouse has crummy plastic "cheater" panels you can see from space. Wugh. The worst part is where it bleeds clumsily onto the roof over the rear windscreen. Would it kill them to simply spring for more glass or at least glass-smooth plastic?

Also... still hate the fact that the belt line rises so sharply to the rear. There's some Mirai Siamese car action going on around the butt, and it looks even more awkward than the front end of the new Cherokee.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by Vman455

Well, that was a letdown. No specs, no numbers, no nothing, just vapid reassurances that it's a "beautiful car" and a few spins around a turntable.

Yup.

I guess we have to wait until the details are released next week at the Frankfurt show (Sept 15th).

The only tidbits worth mentioning here are:

- it's probably lighter than the current car (3rd gen.)
- it has a slightly smaller frontal area
- will have a ~55 mpg US EPA combined rating
- an even more efficient "ECO" version will be available

Man, it's not any easier to look at in the official photos. Toyota, what were you thinking?

I like ABG's reaction to the styling:

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reactions from our readers, Toyota says the new look for the world's best-selling hybrid has a "striking exterior design" and is "easy on the eyes." To each their own.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

I like ABG's reaction to the styling:

Despite the overwhelmingly negative reactions from our readers, Toyota says the new look for the world's best-selling hybrid has a "striking exterior design" and is "easy on the eyes." To each their own.

Only *if* Toyota plans on marketing the GenIV Prius to only blind people!

[MetroMPG]

Well they will be making them beep (or make some noise) when in EV mode, so in a way...

[Cd]

I really like what Toy-Yoda has done with the Prius C and I hope they don't destroy it with this restyle.

[vskid3]

Front is alright, seems like a reasonable evolution from the Gen3. I can't find anything to like about the rear half. It'll probably be a little better in person, but that's only because it would be hard to look worse.

Hopefully they don't reveal a 40+ mile electric range plug-in, then I won't have to ever consider buying one.

[Vman455]

One of the better reviews of the unveiling:

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/new-toyo...712980172.html

"And that was about it. Toyota wouldn’t let us see what the Prius looked like when it was turned on, they wouldn’t give any drivetrain info, wouldn’t provide an on-sale date, and, most importantly for a car whose entire existence revolves around gas mileage, wouldn’t provide EPA numbers. "

[gone-ot]

Loved the two-word design synopsis: "...a comb-over..."

[niky]

Originally Posted by Vman455

One of the better reviews of the unveiling:

https://www.yahoo.com/autos/new-toyo...712980172.html

"And that was about it. Toyota wouldn’t let us see what the Prius looked like when it was turned on, they wouldn’t give any drivetrain info, wouldn’t provide an on-sale date, and, most importantly for a car whose entire existence revolves around gas mileage, wouldn’t provide EPA numbers. "

This man has put perfectly, into words, the way I feel at almost every launch event. Bravo.

[markweatherill]

Some car shapes get to the point where they are just fine, and further updates or facelifts are not improvements. But the manufacturer must keep facelifting.
In this case, the go-to design is the Mirai (itself a collection of exaggerated 'hydrogen car' cues mostly originated by Honda). It's the new 'design language', not so much because it's inherently good, rather that you can easily 'update' a shape by slapping on some bulges, creases, angles, gaping intakes...