A year ago, Toyota showed the Prius C concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. Today at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show the company rolled out the production version of the 2012 Toyota Prius C.
Here's what you need to know: Starting price: $19,000. Fuel economy: 53 mpg city. Power: 99 horsepower.
Want more?
Unfortunately Toyota didn't simply swap the 134-hp 1.8-liter inline-4/60kW electric motor combo from the real Prius into the new Prius C(ity). Instead they've fitted it with a 1.5-liter I4 (SULEV tier 2, bin 3) and a smaller 45kW electric power source that makes only 99 horsepower. On the upside, the Prius C weighs 500 pounds less than a conventional Prius, tipping the scales at only 2,500 pounds.
The Prius C makes use of lightweight, high-strength steel to keep things light and stiff. Toyota claims that this new rigidity is put to good use, as it allows the suspension to be designed for handling! MacPherson struts up front. Torsion beam rear. Fifteen- or 16-inch wheels. We're not holding our breath on that handling claim.
As we already knew, the Prius C is 157.3 inches long, 56.9 inches high and rides on a 100.4-inch wheelbase. Think Chevy Sonic size.
Fuel economy estimates are about what you'd expect from this car. 53 mpg city, 46 highway and a combined rating of 50 mpg. Not bad for $19,000.
nwng says:
07:54 AM, 01/10/12
is this on a yaris body?
legacygt says:
08:01 AM, 01/10/12
These are some of the worst looking wheels on the market.
throwback says:
08:03 AM, 01/10/12
legacygt says:
These are some of the worst looking wheels on the market.
Do Prius owners even notice wheels?
cr_driver says:
08:29 AM, 01/10/12
$19K, 53 mpg city. Amazing. Put 0-60 in the 9s range like many other automatic cheap 4 cylinder cars achieve, and you got double amazing.
transpower says:
08:39 AM, 01/10/12
I do like the Prius V--but it doesn't have AWD available....
blueguydotcom says:
08:42 AM, 01/10/12
Seems if it's 19k it will sell for 18k and they'll move them. Old folks love the Prius.
awbmw6spd1 says:
08:45 AM, 01/10/12
While I cant stand the entire prius line Toyota has a real winner here. A 19k hybrid prius, that name alone will sell tons of them. I bet the waiting list is already past 6 months for this car. MSRP and above for a long long time. I bet the dealers cant wait for this car. This is going to be a car that can and will really hurt all of the new american cars ie focus, cruze, sonic, festiva and dont be surprised if it takes away some honda fit sales also. While toyota cant make a great sports car they know their market and how to make tons of money. They are smart for keeping the prius name also and not trying to call it something new. As much as I cant stand this car I have to give toyota credit because they know what they are doing.
deagle13 says:
09:33 AM, 01/10/12
I'm guessing the "C" stands for "Chicane"...
All joking aside - the news (at least here in L.A.) has been full of stories about the high price of gasoline here and how prices are expected to reach record highs this spring. If this forecast comes true then SoCal Toyota dealers will be very busy this summer...
blueprint1 says:
09:37 AM, 01/10/12
In the land of heavily taxed frozen citizens burdened with expensive gas, the Prius isn't selling very well because its intended audience can't afford it. This one might finally be THE hybrid to make a headway in Canada.
rxanand says:
09:42 AM, 01/10/12
This looks to be a great addition to the Prius family. I replaced a minivan with a Prius v a couple of months ago and I can tell you that its working out very well. Cargo space is great and comfortable even for five adults. And gas costs are about 1/3rd that of the minivan.
motorstreet says:
09:46 AM, 01/10/12
Now VW needs to bring the Polo 1.6TDI BlueMotion here. It would cost about $17000, has 105hp, good quality, great safety, and gets 60mpg. That would be cheaper, faster, more fun, more practical, and more fuel efficient than the Prius C.
bonzjr says:
09:55 AM, 01/10/12
I'm so ashamed to admit this: I like this. A lot. Zero enthusiasm but 50-mpg average (Toyota hybrid mileage tends to hit close to the EPA #) on my 85-mile round trip daily commute is so appealing. If you need an A-B-back.to.A commuter product that'll ...
* last a billion miles
* be cheap to buy and operate
* come without a lot of frills and
* don't have a need to carry more than an occasional person or work satchel/gym bag
... then this is an appealing option.
Yeah there's no stick and likely no sunroof or decent audio package (my usual rants here), but 50-mpg and $19k? That's a game changer.
(And I already have a Miata and am searching for a Boxster... so... the weekends would still be fun).
bonzjr says:
10:21 AM, 01/10/12
I stand corrected re: two assumptions in my above post. "Other sites" (ahem) clearly show an available moonroof and full-scale a premium audio set-up. w00t! It just got even better (though I cringe at giving up a stick even in day-to-day commuting).
cynic783 says:
10:53 AM, 01/10/12
@motorstreet maybe 60mpg using imperial gallons = 48mpg using US gallons
i wondered about this too after watching Top Gear talk about 50mpg+ diesels. they are talking imperial gallons that are 20% more volume than US gallons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_the_imperial_and_US_customary_measurement_systems
they are also talking potentially about a superior grade of diesel than what is available in US
wikiwiki says:
11:52 AM, 01/10/12
Love it. Wish I could get one for my commute. Almost 100 miles per day. This thing is a great looking hybrid. I hope it offers a little fun too. I know a Prius usually is not known for fun but maybe the C delivers some. But 50+ MPG and a hatch + 19k = winner.
wikiwiki says:
11:52 AM, 01/10/12
Love it. Wish I could get one for my commute. Almost 100 miles per day. This thing is a great looking hybrid. I hope it offers a little fun too. I know a Prius usually is not known for fun but maybe the C delivers some. But 50+ MPG and a hatch + 19k = winner.
sniperruff says:
12:41 PM, 01/10/12
"Unfortunately Toyota didn't simply swap the 134-hp 1.8-liter inline-4/60kW electric motor combo from the real Prius into the new Prius C(ity). "
- If anything I give Toyota kudos for designing a new engine for the new car because it sheds weight. This should make the Honda Insight less attractive.
mfennell says:
01:06 PM, 01/10/12
"Think Chevy Sonic size."
I dunno. On a long highway slog, a 42mpg Cruze Eco at the same price but larger and with a shifter I can move myself once in a while seems pretty appealing vs this car. Disappointing that they couldn't at least match a normal Prius on the highway rating in a smaller car with a smaller ICE.
motorstreet says:
06:02 PM, 01/10/12
cynic783: I already translated it from Imperial gallons. The Golf BlueMotion is rated at 74mpg in the UK. I can achieve the EU rated mpg for my Golf TDI, so I think their diesel is the same.
motorstreet says:
06:03 PM, 01/10/12
cynic783: I already translated it from Imperial gallons. The Golf BlueMotion is rated at 74mpg in the UK. I can achieve the EU rated mpg for my Golf TDI, so I think their diesel is the same.