Automotive News is reporting that a year or two after the next generation Toyota Prius hybrid debuts in 2009, a wagon variant will be introduced. Parly due to its success as a taxi vehicle, the next Prius is expected to grow in size to comfortably accommodate three adults in the back seat, while a wagon model is hoped to attract more commercial customers looking for a green delivery vehicle that may save on fuel costs. Both the first- and second-gen Priuses have been doing taxi duty for years now and their battery packs have been proven to take the punishment of near constant use. The third gen car will use a new nickel metal hydride battery pack, which is the same type used in the current car. Toyota has laid to rest rumors that it may debut a new lithium-ion battery pack in the third gen Prius, and instead appears to be saving that for a low-volume Lexus hybrid due to its cost. Either way, the third gen Prius is sure to be a hit everywhere its sold, with more room, more power and better fuel economy. Adding a wagon to the lineup will only improve its appeal.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tool @ Oct 29th 2007 1:30PM
It will be really interesting to see if Toyota keeps the same design language with the 3rd gen Prius, especially the Kammback.
It is good news that the redesign will come in 2009--one year (supposedly) before the Chevy Volt. I got to get on the list.
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Oct 29th 2007 1:36PM
Very nice. I'd love to have a Prius wagon....plug in.
Getting there, Toyota.
XJ X-traordinaire @ Oct 29th 2007 1:40PM
Wouldn't the Prius get a lot better gas mileage if they paired it with a small diesel, maybe even a turbo-diesel? I know the emissions would be an issue but could they incorporate Bluetec or something?
why not the LS2/LS7? @ Oct 29th 2007 2:43PM
A Diesel car (even hybrid) cannot even come close to making PZEV status, and thus a Diesel cannot gain any of the tax advantages of a hybrid in the US (or the environmental advantages).
One branch of the federal government actually paid Ford and GM to joint develop a Diesel hybrid almost 10 years ago, right as another arm tightened emissions and made the resulting vehicle unmarketable.
psarhjinian @ Oct 29th 2007 9:04PM
BlueTec doesn't allow for emissions even close to what, say, a V6 Accord could do, let alone a Prius.
What would be a good thing, emissions-wise, would be if Toyota made a CNG Prius (Prius). CNG engines are notorious torqueless and would be well suited to the low-end boost a hybrid powertrain could provide.
raz @ Oct 29th 2007 1:49PM
So let's see here, in 2009 Toyota will have a non plug in hybrid with nickel metal hydride battery, just one year later GM on the other hand will have is saviour...plug in GOD, the VOLT.
Ofcourse any detroit grupie will tell you that GM basically holds Toyota by the balls now, because they will have a "far better" technology only a year after all new Prius comes out.
So let's see, it seems like GM is in much better position....and yet i am willing to bet that Volt will not sell more that 10% on Prius every year they are on the market.
WHY?
Well first of all GM has been selling super hybrids for last 30 years.....it's just that they never leave the drawing board (probably because of liberal media)
and second of all Toyota has the people who are willing to buy clean cars in their pocket, GM doesn't have those people, infact those people have GM (Hummer).
Also, GM spent last 10 years attacking anything that gets more that 15 MPG...Bob Lutz is on the record saying that Hybrids are bad for this that and the other. Plus GM officialy says Global Warming is a questionable fact.
So one has to ask...who will buy these environmentaly clean cars from GM? All the GW denyers? Or all those Hummer buyers?
Yes Toyota makes dirty cars too, but they already own the green crowd.......That crowd will never buy from GM, just like Starbucks crowd will never buy from Dunkin Donuts.
The GM average buyer has been told for years that Hybrids damage environment, cost too much and are responcible for your wife stepping out on you. So why would these people buy this very same product from GM?
Guenther @ Oct 29th 2007 1:59PM
Dude- read over your post, and see if it makes sense to YOU. You're going in 3 different directions.
Bob-omb @ Oct 29th 2007 4:59PM
Do you have any idea what you're even *trying* to say? Let us know when you do.
raz @ Oct 29th 2007 1:52PM
Dude you need to lay off that diesel pipe.
They are not coming here, if companies thought that there was a demand they'd already be here.
John R @ Oct 29th 2007 1:54PM
A wagon variant seems like a very logical move.
jon @ Oct 29th 2007 2:02PM
TOYOTA SMUG
Hwins @ Oct 29th 2007 2:07PM
Get ready for a huge MPG letdown.
Has anyone told Toyota yet that 42 is not equal to 60?
Hey, if they only need 2/3 published milage than 100mpg published may be realistic after all.
JeffDM @ Oct 29th 2007 3:03PM
"Has anyone told Toyota yet that 42 is not equal to 60?"
Are you referring to the old EPA ratings? Is Toyota still using the old one or not?
eduardo @ Oct 29th 2007 9:01PM
I consistently get 50mpg on my Prius. With Michelin HydroEdge, which I figure is at least a 2 mpg penalty.
Kevin @ Oct 29th 2007 2:12PM
Isn't the Prius already a wagon/hatch thing? Kind of looks like a wagon already. Just saying. And in response to the Volt/Prius struggle; The Volt will attract a huge amount of buyers. The Volt has sportier look. It is more in tune with the younger crowd. Toyota has already proven that it isnt in the business of sporty things. Prime example is the Camry. One of the most annonymous cars on the planet.
SuperSkyline89 @ Oct 29th 2007 3:46PM
If you want a sporty car, your looking at the wrong segment. And I don't know what exactly you mean by young crowd, early 20's?, but I don't know a single guy in my first year engineering course that would actually buy a hybrid.
Kevin @ Oct 29th 2007 4:27PM
I am 22 years old. IF, and that is a big if, but if I were to buy a hybrid I would want it to be better than just there. I want it to have some style. Just because it is a hybrid doesn't mean it cant have some style. Besides if it were me i would probably buy a new Camaro and not a hybrid.
Anti-believer @ Oct 29th 2007 2:23PM
They should do a tall SUV off that platform.
Prius SUV EXT hybrid
:->
s i k e
ojfl @ Oct 29th 2007 5:05PM
A bigger Prius and a wagon? Is that not a hybrid Camry wagon? Also, is this not against the hybrid credo that small is better? And people complain about the hybrid SUVs from GM...
Tony @ Oct 29th 2007 6:07PM
The Prius is already considered a Wagon/Hatchback. So I’m not understand this whole post. What would be hawt? Would be to make a hybrid panel van xB or Chevy could make a hybrid panel van HHR.
As to the Prius/Volt Debate if both come close to their claimed MPG or Performance they will be successes in the marketplace. I doubt the Volt will look as good as the concept, but let's hope GM proves me wrong. As to the Prius looks, I sure most haters will still be stuck in the Hate-rixs. Just take the blue pill.
@ Raz comments,
Your right GM has a lot to prove in the Hybrid market. Especially after years of bashing, but Toyota is no longer as Earth Friendly (so many SUV & Trucks) as it was before.