2008/09 Toyota Prius

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The Prius just received a few minor updates for 2006.
But an all new one in on the way.

The new hybrid system will still use a 1.5 Liter engine, but Toyota insiders claim an amazing figure: 95 MPG!!!
Even it these numbers are (Like the current model’s official numbers) inflated, that might still mean at least 70MPG in real life driving.

If this is true, it would put Toyota way ahead of any competition. (although the all new Fit hybrid will get pretty close)

This illustration shows an evolutionary design. But I think Toyota will actually come up with something much more different.
And with a 95MPG claim, it might even become a hit in Europe, where the current model doesn’t really get better numbers than many Diesel cars…

Conversation 23 comments

  1. So we might just get 60 mpg outta this and a possible 8 year payoff on return for investment ? give me a damn diesel today ! people who buy hybrids aren’t well informed (dumb) ! would anyone out there buy a 3 year old hybrid ? nope ! cause there afraid of the battery life and the 3500.00 bucks it will take to replace them ! also go to autotrader.com and look at the old hybrids used 50-100k and they still want 20k for them, and you guessed it it will soon need 3-4k in battery replacement, i drive a diesel that has 702,000 on it and it only eats up power steering pumps every 2 hundred thousand ! has never been in the shop and gets good gas mileage ! but i also pamper it and take good care of it !

  2. Of course Diesels are the obvious way to go.
    But we can’t even get a new one over here (California)

  3. I think the hybrids have become more of a ‘statement’. It says “Hey, I’m saving the environment by not using as much gas as you” but in the meantime…they’re spending a premium that I would rather keep in the bank and use for gas!

    It’s like those vegetarians who don’t eat meat but wear leather shoes, leather coats, and carry leather purses.

    I’m interested in what Brazil has done…gone entirely ethanol based.

    Autoweek had an interesting quote from Henry Ford nearly a century ago saying something like “there’s no two ways about it…gas is out and alchohol is in. We have to do something to get off our dependence on gas”

    And here we are.

  4. At what point do the headlights of this still ugly sweetheart of hollywood liberals wrap all the way over the roof to the back end? And 95mpg? Jeez, Toyota will make any claim to sell these things. What’s next, the Prius cures cancer? That it can fly?

  5. It’s not just Toyota.
    Just try getting 20mpg from a Tahoe!

    The government needs to revise how they rate cars gas mileage. It’s their fault.

  6. “It’s not just Toyota.
    Just try getting 20mpg from a Tahoe!”

    The Tahoe isn’t advertised as a high-mileage wondercar out to save the world.

    “The government needs to revise how they rate cars gas mileage. It’s their fault.”

    That might be true, but it’s not the government’s fault that Toyota is claiming the next Prius will get 95 mpg.

  7. At what point do the headlights of this still ugly sweetheart of hollywood liberals wrap all the way over the roof to the back end? And 95mpg? Jeez, Toyota will make any claim to sell these things. What’s next, the Prius cures cancer? That it can fly?

    If something helped pave the way to curing cancer or lessening its damage, would you still hate it so?

  8. The Tahoe isn’t advertised as a high-mileage wondercar out to save the world.

    Can you provide for us where any auto maker has claimed this? Thanks in advance.

    That might be true, but it’s not the government’s fault that Toyota is claiming the next Prius will get 95 mpg.

    Just as you defended the Tahoe, can you we blame you for lauding the Tahoe’s strengths? Or will that be the ‘government’s’ fault?

    Thanks in advance.

  9. I don’t have to say much to a guy with the name “douchebag jones”. Nuf said.

    I agree with Anonymous on my original statement…they ARE statements. That doesn’t mean they’re bad statements. I respect those who purchase them to do something about our environment, even if it’s just a little.

  10. An episode of South Park aptly rebadged the Prius as the Pious, and the Insight as the Hindsight.

    “Aptly” is an inaccurate judgement of those cars (other that in a humorously cynical context), but those guys that creat South Park are brilliant.

    And so is the Pious, er, Prius.

  11. “Can you provide for us where any auto maker has claimed this? Thanks in advance.”

    Do you remember Toyota’s recent ad campaign concerning their hybrids? Or was your head up your ass at the time? You’re welcome in advance.

    “Just as you defended the Tahoe, can you we blame you for lauding the Tahoe’s strengths? Or will that be the ‘government’s’ fault? Thanks in advance.”

    I never lauded the Tahoe’s strengths. In fact, I wasn’t the one who brought up the Tahoe in the first place. Where’s your head at? Oh wait, I know. You’re welcome in advance.

  12. Anonymous said…

    Do you remember Toyota’s recent ad campaign concerning their hybrids? Or was your head up your ass at the time? You’re welcome in advance.

    I never lauded the Tahoe’s strengths. In fact, I wasn’t the one who brought up the Tahoe in the first place. Where’s your head at? Oh wait, I know. You’re welcome in advance

    Ooooh, a feisty little pecker who’s interested in my ass. Thanks, but no thanks, dude.

    The newest Prius freshening is good enough, but Toyota is mainstreaming hybrid technology like no other manufacturer. The Prius is the current mascot of hybrids, but Toyota is sticking hybrid technology in more and more of their lineup.

    Will the Prius go the way of the dodo, or will it continue to be the face of hybrids? How will the industry adapt?

    Sadly, American automobile manufacturers have actually chosen second place in this contest.

  13. “Ooooh, a feisty little pecker who’s interested in my ass. Thanks, but no thanks, dude.”

    Believe me, nobody’s interested in you, least of all your inane comments and Toyota hybrid-ass (oooh, there’s that word again) kissing. And I’m going to guess either you really don’t remember Toyota’s hybrid campaign (short-term memory problems) or you’ve conveniently chosen to forget it.

    “Sadly, American automobile manufacturers have actually chosen second place in this contest. “

    Actually, GM was doing hybrids long before Toyota. Just look at all of GMs hybrid buses tooiling around American cities. Hybrids tend to make more sense in vehicles like that than they do in little econmy cars. Or have you chosen to ignore that, too, pecker?

  14. HEY GUYS, here’s a novel idea!!! Why not offer the public a Diesel engine in the Yaris, the Scion x-A and the new Corolla???? It would cost less for Toyota to manufacture, be more reliable than a Hybrid and get almost as many miles per gallon!!!! The other 49 states would benefit greatly by this move and it would save billions of gallons of fossil fuel a year for the rest of the world!!!! I guess the rich politicians and oil tycoons would never allow such a logical move though!!! The needs of the few outweigh the nedds of the many in this corrupt country!!!!!

  15. Your right, toyota is as corrupt as the day is long, they build garbage and have a great PR department to cover. I really hate that company

  16. Liked the comments about whether the Prius would continue to be the hybrid wonder or be diluted by application to all other models. Also, would love to hear some intelligent conversation about deisel/hybrid possibilities now that the fuel is being de-sulfurized. Or is it? Like to know what’s happening on that front. Encourage conversation for change.

  17. I replaced my 23 mph Mercedes (89 and needed to be replaced by something) with a 2007 Prius. Love the car–it is as comfortable and quieter than the Mercedes. We are only getting about 45 mph at this point ( I think I drive too aggressively) but that is about twice what I got with the Mercedes.
    My Staunch Republican in-laws think the Prius is an abomination (they won’t even look at it), and they KNOW global warming is a HOAX. I bought the car because I wanted something that didn’t use so much gas. The environment-saving is saving me money. I can deal with that.

  18. people who buy hybrids aren’t well informed (dumb)Wrong. They also consider the reduction in emissions as another reason for their well informed choice.I think the hybrids have become more of a ‘statement’. It says “Hey, I’m saving the environment by not using as much gas as you”In many ways you are correct. People often makes statements with their choice of automobile. Personally, I’d respect a person who bought a hybrid with that thinking more than I would respect a person who bought an Escalade for any reason.mr ford (the great american) never said that you idiotYes he did, you waste of flesh.https://sites.radford.edu/~wkovarik/papers/fuel.html

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