2010 Toyota Prius: Supersize Me?

By High Gear Media Staff

High Gear Media Staff

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2,089 views Jan 7, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius

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Would Toyota really tamper with the brilliantly successful Prius formula in hopes of more sales?

According to Jalopnik, who've been poring over the pages at PriusChat, we might find out next week at the Detroit unveil of the 2010 Prius that a 1.8-liter four-cylinder is the gasoline unit of choice for U.S.-bound models. Rumor has it that European models will retain the 1.5-liter four used in the current prius, though with an additional 15 hp over the current model. A 1.8-liter might make 100 hp from its engine alone and 160 in combination with the electric motor.

All this is speculation, and there are no numbers for us to point to for proof of a new powertrain being less efficient. If Ford can pull 41 city mpg from its heavier mid-size Fusion hybrid with a honking 2.5-liter four, then perhaps new hybrid tech and tricks will be used by Toyota as well to give even a 1.8-liter Prius mileage that is superior to the outgoing model. And with snappier performance and sleeker styling, perhaps the 2010 Prius will pull ever more drivers into the hybrid fold.

Stay tuned over at our flagship site TheCarConnection.com for wall-to-wall coverage of the Detroit auto show, and see our budding site AllAboutPrius.com for more on the new Toyota hybrid lineup.--Colin Mathews

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