Toyota is finally putting that whole Prii name to use, finally showing off the third member of the Prius family, the Prius c.
This new compact hybrid is nearly 20 inches shorter than the real Prius (157.3 inches vs 176.4), 2 inches narrower (66.7 vs 68.7), and almost two inches shorter (56.9 vs 58.7). The Prius C also rides on a wheelbase some six-inches shorter than a traditional Prius (100.4 vs 106.3). For comparison, the Chevy Sonic is 159 inches long and 59 inches wide and the Honda Fit is 161 inches long and 66.7 inches wide.
But with this increased smallness comes a smaller motor. While the Prius gets a SULEV with AT-PZEV 1.8-liter, the c has to make do with a 1.5-liter that only manages a SULEV rating. Still, Toyota says that the compact Prius will manage more than 50 mpg in the city.
Toyota didn't release pricing, but considering that you can get into a 2011 Prius Two for $23,520, we'd expect this one to be priced competitively with the 2012 Honda Insight which starts at $18,350.
ergsum says:
09:42 AM, 11/15/11
Yarius?
powell_jr says:
10:10 AM, 11/15/11
I like this way more than the prius, but I still couldn't drive one. If I was hell bent on Toyotas I'd get a five foor Yaris for 16,400 and put the extra 2,000 in savings.
I don't see this selling particularly well, but...
I'd get begind this little car if it was offered with a manual transmission.
bodyblue says:
11:05 AM, 11/15/11
I never thought much about Toyotas until I married somebody that had one. Only an idiot would not be impressed with how reliable our Prius has been and how well we have been treated by the dealer. It is not fun to drive at all for sure but it is quiet, roomy, comfortable and gets almost 50 MPG in town. I cant believe I actually like the thing, but I do.
metro88 says:
11:08 AM, 11/15/11
THIS is the Prius C???
You've got to be kidding me.
I can't believe I actually had mild expectations for the stupid thing.
louiswei says:
11:14 AM, 11/15/11
"I can't believe I actually had mild expectations for the stupid thing."
What "expectations" did you have for this stupid thing? A looker with 200 hp, manual, drives like a Bimmer and returns 65 mpg?
Yeah, me too...
kain77 says:
12:34 PM, 11/15/11
I'd have no problems owning one as a commuter car. Not every vehicle is going to tickle your pickle like a Viper or 911.
throwback says:
12:58 PM, 11/15/11
If they price this against the Insight, Toyota will have a hit on their hands. Especially if they can get 55 mpg in the city.
alphabetfuel says:
01:28 PM, 11/15/11
the rear lights take up a lot of space for not having much going on. If the C and the last V are any indication I don't have much hope for the next one to join the "family". I'll keep my carbon footprint down by keeping my CRX on the road
moparbad says:
06:23 PM, 11/15/11
I'm actually almost liking this one. If it had an analog style speedo I'd be a fan.
ed124c says:
07:47 AM, 11/30/11
In the video, whenever the car goes into a turn, they cut away. Hee, hee, hee.
blackdynamite1 says:
09:05 AM, 12/ 8/11
Get it safely under $20k, and they will sell an @$$load of these!
BD