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Signs of the Apocalypse: Toyota Planning Prius SUV?

 
6 2,437 views November 13, 2009

Third-gen Toyota Prius test drive

Third-gen Toyota Prius test drive

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According to the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri, Toyota is preparing a larger version of their popular Prius hybrid for production by the end of 2010. The new vehicle will fall into the SUV or station wagon class and will utilize lithium-ion batteries as opposed to the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) packs found in the current Prius and most other mainstream hybrids.

News that Toyota plans to expand the Prius lineup is no surprise. The benchmark hybrid has been wildly successful, and rumors of a Prius coupe, expected to take on the upcoming Honda CR-Z, have persisted for months.

The switch to lithium-ion batteries is a departure for the Japanese automaker, however. While other car companies (most notably, Tesla Motors) have employed lithium-ion batteries successfully, Toyota publicly stated that they planned to stick with NiMH just two months ago, after conducting tests on some Prius mules with the lithium-ion technology. Toyota hasn't confirmed the latest story, but they do have agreements with Panasonic and Sanyo to develop lithium-ions for cars, so the switch could be feasible. At this point, it's anyone's guess as to what the company's true plans are.

Nevertheless, if the story holds true and a bigger Prius has been on your wish list, it's expected to take $22,000 to get one. (Who knows how long you might have to wait for it?)

Source: Yomiuri via the AP





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Comments (6)

  1. By Noel Park Posted: 11/13/2009 12:25pm PST

    A bigger, heavier, Prius with worsde gas mileage. Toyota going in the wrong direction, IMHO. Which is all good AFAIC, LOL.
    Come on Volt!
     
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  2. By omnimoeish Posted: 11/14/2009 1:09am PST

    Wow, a vehicle with the safety, space and functionality of an SUV, for the same price as a Chevy Malibu, with Toyota quality engineering, and Prius technology on steroids, likely built in the US. I'd say this is a sign of the apocalypse for GM who is all excited about their new and improved BAS+ system that might give an overpriced midsized Buick Regal (built in Germany), a whole 30 mpg...eventually... once they finish engineering the 2.0L engine for it.
    I'm guessing it will get at least 40mpg since they are putting the Prius name to it.
     
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  3. By Luke Posted: 11/14/2009 9:22am PST

    I'd much rather see a version of the existing Prius with a station-wagon shaped back, to increase the cargo space. Also, Mazda5-sized hybrid "minivan" would be nice. I guess those are almost the same thing, but sliding doors and folding seats are handy.
    It'll have to be a very good car to get us out of our existing 2004 Prius -- it has 110k miles on it, and it's barely broken in!
     
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  4. By omnimoeish Posted: 11/14/2009 9:46am PST

    Luke, I have a feeling it will be very much like what you are describing. While other hybrids might even use the same HSD used in the Prius, the Prius is the Prius because of it's aerodynamics. Again, I don't think they'll put the Prius name on some H2 monstrosity shaped vehicle. On the contrary, it will be a slightly longer vehicle.
     
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  5. By Dr. Ibringdoh Posted: 11/16/2009 6:47pm PST

    Toyota increased the size of their latest Prius, and gas mileage went up, not down. It is inevitable that Toyota would make a larger vehicle using Prius technology, because a subcompact or compact vehicle doesn't address the needs (for example) of a family of five.
    It is similarly inevitable that Toyota will eventually make the switch from NiMH to Li-ion, for the same reasons that cell phones made the switch years ago. However, Toyota will not make a leap in their judgment, and will have years of data and field testing in place before introducing a production vehicle that depends on Li-ion.
    Respectfully,
    Dr. Ibringdoh
     
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  6. By Luke Posted: 11/17/2009 8:14am PST

    "However, Toyota will not make a leap in their judgment, and will have years of data and field testing in place before introducing a production vehicle that depends on Li-ion."
    Considering that our 2004 Prius has 110k miles on it, with nearly no maintenance hassles, their approach of cautious but continuous improvement does seem to have quite a bit of merit.
    I'd love a Volt so that I can avoid using petroleum during my daily life (road-trips are discretionary travel for me) -- but I don't know if I'll be able to afford one, and the astoundingly good TCO provided by our existing Prius (and probably all Prii) is a persuasive argument for just sticking with The Appliance.
     
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