New Prius C

[cfg83]

botsapper -

Another fantastic image! This is the first time I have seen a wheel skirt that doesn't make the car look fat. I think it's because the "hard chine" that Neil describes acts as a visual break.

Me loves fins, especially an aero-excuse to use them!

CarloSW2

[botsapper]

A rear wheel covers always produce 'heavier' looking rear proportions. If we want to bring them back, we have to make it at least look good. 'Flame-surfacing' sculpting makes them more interesting, thanks to (BMW) Chris Bangle.

Thnx cfg83.

[botsapper]

We know the Prius C concept needs to have front and rear bumpers added on before production. The final car will be larger than the one pictured. Also, when you say "normalized for ground clearance", does this account for the fact that most concept cars have 1-3", and will ride 3-5" higher in production?
Anyway, thanks for the analysis.[/QUOTE]

Reviewed Toyota's iQ evolution from it's show concept to it's production cars. Toyota has kept its concept car dimensions very close to its production models. The unveiled Prius C concept might be very close to its final production dims, only fine detailing has been revised in its final form.

[alohaspirit]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

i like the design too

although the headlight placement being right beneath the windshield is odd to me



although now that ive actually driven a hybrid
(i would prefer to buy a diesel or an EV)

[basjoos]

That headlight placement is going to make vision treacherous and blinding when driving in the fog or snow. It will be like driving down a powerful spotlight beam and totally blinding when there are light scattering particles in the beam. Ideally you want the maximum separation between your line of sight and the headlight's line of sight. That is why fog lights are normally placed on or below the front bumper. If that is where the headlights end up on the production vehicle, I would never buy it just for that safety concern. The headlight position on the Leaf is almost as bad.

I hate it when the automotive manufacturers pursue styling trends at the expense of safety. First we had the tiny "armored car" window sizes (notably on the Hummers, Chrysler 300, Chevy HHR, new Camaro) limiting your line of sight when looking out of the car and creating numerous blind spots, then we went to the massive "C" pillars creating a huge blind spot on your 4 to 5 o'clock position (new Honda CRV, CR-Z, Prius, Matrix), and now they want you to to be staring straight down the beam of the driver's side headlight.

[Vekke]

What if you model the rear fenders transparent too, like the front hubcaps? :/

[jakobnev]

New Toyota Prius C: Leaked Brochure Reveals Standalone Small Hybrid Hatch - Carscoop


To me it looks like they ruined it to some degree.

[NeilBlanchard]

It certainly has lost something in translation to a production version.

[HighMPG]

Interesting

[NeilBlanchard]

Here's new official images and a video of the Prius C:

2013 Toyota Prius C Unveiled: Compact 52-MPG-Plus Hybrid Hatchback

Prius c debut at Detroit 2012 NAIAS - CleanMPG Forums



Prius C revealed among Toyota lineup for Tokyo Motor Show [w/video]