The rumors about a seven-seat Toyota Prius MPV or Toyota Prius Alpha have been swirling for a while, but these are the first shots we've seen of the new up-sized Prius. And, other than what looks to be a very traditional squared-off-at-the-back wagoney-shape, there's not much to go on. Like the Mazda 5-- which this is said to be of similar size-- the greenhouse looks tall with passenger space taking precedent over cargo room.
Toyota has long been expected to expand the Prius line and some have them creating their own sub-brand a-la Scion from the ultra-popular Hybrid. There's no clear answer on that and I'm sure Toyota has a few hundred thousand pages of PowerPoint on the issue, but for now we have these spy shots that show the 2012 Toyota Prius MPV well on its way.
More, including interior shots, after the jump.
On the interior, evertying is pretty heavily Prius. Except for the giant hole in the dash and the scroll-knob button that is new for the brand. This could mean the end of the pixelated and slow touchscreen nav that has fallen behind the competition in recent years.
carguy622 says:
09:54 AM, 10/ 4/10
That scroll knob button looks like it only controls the temperature of the automatic climate control and not the MIA navigation unit. However Toyota has been moving away from touch screens, so it's possible.
lsobboh says:
10:40 AM, 10/ 4/10
Seems like smart choice from Toyota. I guess when you cover pretty much every category of the automotive industry, it becomes exceptionally difficult to fail in bringing in good sail numbers.
You said you want utility? Get a Sequoia. Oh too big? Here, try this Land Cruiser. Nice but not in your budget hunh? Ummm, well lets see what we haver over... HERE! Try this Sienna, it's spacious and has all kinds of neat features like- Wait, what's that? You don't like minivans? Oh... Well this Highlander is nice too, and it gets excellent gas mileage, see? Oh, you need more efficiency? Well this Yaris is cool too.... TOO SMALL! Well dammit lady just take this Prius Van thingy! It's efficient, and you can seat 7 people. Here, I'll install some rock climbing tires on it for free so you can go off road too...
lsobboh says:
10:44 AM, 10/ 4/10
*sale
northsparrow says:
10:57 AM, 10/ 4/10
I'm sure IL can post numerous photos of the gas or diesel Toyota Verso MPV which
is about the same size as a Mazda 5.
It has been on sale in Japan and Europe for so long there are probably some authentic black and white photos available.
Everybody sells compact minivans in Europe but so far Mazda has the North American
market to themselves.
stovebolter says:
11:10 AM, 10/ 4/10
Combining a Prius and a minivan? That's like combining plain oatmeal and white rice in terms of excitement! But still, a very good idea for the appliance market, I would bet that this will have no trouble hitting sales targets.
throwback says:
11:22 AM, 10/ 4/10
What would this mean for the sales (or lack of) of Highlander hybrid?
ed124c says:
11:26 AM, 10/ 4/10
Toyota might brand this as a Prius HyCross, and market it as a crossover. After all, it doesn't seem like it has sliding doors, unless the handles are at the wrong end of the rear doors. And aren't sliding doors the defining feature of a minivan?
I agree with the the above comments-- this will be a big seller for Toyota. And, as a hybrid, it will have no real competition (for a few years, anyway). And the Prius moniker will seal the deal.
northsparrow says:
12:41 PM, 10/ 4/10
ed124c,
You are correct about the rear door handles indicating the doors are non sliding.
Instead of it being their answer to the Mazda 5 perhaps it's more like Toyota's hybrid version
of a Kia Rondo.
2xl says:
12:54 PM, 10/ 4/10
Looks like they are taking the Toyota Verso-S and putting a Prius powertrain in it... should be a quick and easy product for them to bring to market.
to626n says:
12:55 PM, 10/ 4/10
Looks like the Toyota Verso:
http://www.netcarshow.com/toyota/2010-verso/
f1ndler says:
06:34 PM, 10/ 4/10
I think this is the best looking Prius so far. Toyota should keep that camo on.
alex38 says:
12:49 AM, 10/ 5/10
oh geez, not promising. Competition with the Honda Crosstour for worst looking in its class.. Will reserve final judgement until i see the final product but Toyota continues to set the bar low..
nwng says:
09:03 AM, 10/ 5/10
isn't verso a stretched matrix that will only fit the 7 characters in snow white?
It looks more like the corolla fielder, aka corolla wagon. But I don't see how the synergy drive propulsion system as is can pull 6 or 7 people in a heavier car.
bring on the diesel c max
lsobboh says:
08:25 PM, 10/ 6/10
@nwng: I'm sure Toyota won't use the same engine from the Prius in a bigger car. Maybe the Highlander's system would be a choice. Or maybe the Camry's?
One thing though, I know the dash has a huge gap where something is supposed to be, but from what I see, it looks like the previous Prius and that's not good. The new Prius has a beautifully elegant interior and so far this is a step down. Hopefully this Prius MPV Verso Sienna can get the swoopy-like dash of the current Prius.
jscion says:
04:00 PM, 10/16/10
Yawn!
c3girl says:
02:01 PM, 02/ 2/11
It remains to be seen but looking like a remake of some old wagon styles to me. Recently test drove the 2011 Prius III and was very disappointed. I can't stand the split in the rear hatch glass, the car was jerky on acceleration, noisy and the brakes were really loud which the dealer told me was normal for a car that had been sitting for a while. Love the sustainability model but no Prius in my future. Will have to keep looking.
yoangames says:
03:09 PM, 07/19/11
There is 2012 Toyota Prius MPV - wallpapers and video:
http://www.yoangames.com/blog/2011/07/19/toyota-prius-mpv-2012/