Prius Bug Deflector?
 

Parked on my street, I'll have to ask the owner what the purpose of it is.

Could this be a bug deflector?

Automobile 2 - Odds and Ends pictures by kach22i - Photobucket
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-4.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-6.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-1.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-3.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-5.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-2.jpg

The odds that this is supposed to be a boundary layer air flow device of some kind are slim. Just thought that some second opinions would be nice.

im sure its just a bug deflector

Also rocks and other debris. That area tends to be one of the places most susceptible to chipped paint (other than passenger-side doors). :mad:

hood
 

I'll vote with the stone chip protection faction.The fascia is plastic and may be resilient enough to absorb some abuse from missiles.The hood is steel and its paint would take a beating.

http://i.thisislondon.co.uk/i/pix/20...ot-415x275.jpg
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...0Ends/pr-6.jpg

A small correction if I can be so bold: :o
The OEM hood is aluminum and can take a real beating.

Replacement ~$360 unpainted, Internet. $420 retail
Aftermarket steel ~$260 unpainted, Internet. $300 retail
Aftermarket carbon fiber ~$600 unpainted, IIRC.

2010-2011 Toyota Prius Hood – Natural, Aluminum, OE replacement

so bold
 

Rokeby,you have full permission to correct my ignorant comments whenever they appear.
A friend just had me look at her Prius,which was involved in a minor collision.Somehow the metal hood translated to 'steel' in my feeble mind.My CRX hood is steel and very light for its size.'Fooled myself.Aluminum is better! Good for Toyota!
My T-100 hood leading edge is pock-marked with stone chips,I presumed that the plastic device was to help with such things.:rolleyes:

Aluminum, steel, doesn't really matter. The paint will still chip regardless.

Would that bug deflector actually hurt the aerodynamics?

I think it is more of a paint chip saver, than bug deflector.

To answer your question; it should not hurt it very much because it is not actually redirecting air, and the air there is in compression anyway.