Tag: prius

Video: Toyota teases Prius MPV with skateboarder Bob Burnquist

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Hatchback, Toyota, Celebrities

Bob Burnquist and the Toyota Prius MPV

Bob Burnquist and the Toyota Prius MPV – Click above to watch video after the jump

Toyota is set to whip the sheets off of the newest addition to the Prius line at the next Detroit Auto Show. Designed to be a larger, more family-friendly hybrid, the Prius MPV is supposed to serve up as much as 50 percent more space without sacrificing the vehicle’s now legendary fuel economy. In order to build a little buzz about the new battery-operated people hauler, Toyota has enlisted the help of skateboarding guru Ben Burnquist. Burnquist has a long history with the sustainability movement – making use of environmentally-friendly materials in everything from his boards to his ramps and home.

The video after the jump gives us a quick glimpse at the interior of the bigger Prius from the rear hatch as Burnquist suits up for a stint on his board, but otherwise, Toyota has done a smart job of keeping the vehicle tucked away and wrapped up in a black sheet. That means that we’ll have to wait until early January to see the full monty like the rest of the world. Hit the jump to take a look for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Toyota teases Prius MPV with skateboarder Bob Burnquist

Video: Toyota teases Prius MPV with skateboarder Bob Burnquist originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Toyota Prius has been Japan’s top-selling car for 18 straight months

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Japan, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Toyota Prius has been the top-selling vehicle in its home market of Japan since its redesign in 2009 for the 2010 model year, due partly to a series of incentives created by the Japanese government to promote fuel efficient vehicles – more specifically, hybrids. Those incentives ended in September, leading many to wonder if Toyota’s hybrid hatchback could maintain its stranglehold atop the sales board.

Apparently, the answer is yes. According to data provided by the Japan Automobile Dealers Association and the Japan Mini Vehicles Association, Toyota managed to sell 21,400 Prius hybrids in November, more than enough to earn the fuel-sipper the top sales spot over the second-place Honda Fit (16,677 units).

It seems that the end of hybrid vehicle subsidies did take something of a toll on Prius sales, however. Though still on top, sales of Toyota’s hybrid hatchback were down by just over 20 percent when compared to the same period one year ago, when the Japanese government’s incentives were in full effect. Still, Toyota’s green jellybean has enjoyed 18 months at the top and still has quite a few carlengths on the Fit, and that’s nothing to be sneezed at.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Source: The Mainichi Daily News]

PSA: Toyota Prius has been Japan’s top-selling car for 18 straight months originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius MPV leaked ahead of Detroit debut? [UPDATE]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Toyota

Toyota Prius MPV

Toyota is planning to reveal its new Prius-based MPV at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and while we’ve seen spy shots and teasers of the fuel-sipping people-mover before, we now have our clearest look yet at the forthcoming hybrid hauler.

Our friends at Autoblog.it have managed to snag what appear to be official shots of the Prius MPV, and based on the test mules we’ve seen out on the road, we’ll bet our bottom dollar that the seven-passenger, three-row vehicle you see here is what will be displayed under the Detroit show lights.

Autoblog.it says that the Prius MPV will be powered by the same 1.8-liter hybrid engine used in the five-door hatch, though output has reportedly been bumped up to 138 horsepower. Efficiency will obviously be the MPV’s biggest factor, and we’re that Toyota has tweaked the standard Prius’ powertrain to account for the added heft of the MPV. As always, stay tuned for more information, and head over to Autoblog.it for an additional image of the bulked-up Prius.

UPDATE: As convincing as this image looks, the keen-eyed folks at Carscoop have pointed out that this is not, in fact, the upcoming Prius MPV, and is actually a rendering crafted by Japan’s Best Car magazine. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that Toyota will be debuting the Prius people-mover at the Detroit show in January, and we’ll have the full details after the turn of the new year.

[Source: Autoblog.it (translated)]

Toyota Prius MPV leaked ahead of Detroit debut? [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 13:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Study: The Toyota Prius has a dirty side after all – manufacturing

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

There are plenty of revelations in the annual sustainability report recently released by Toyota. By and large, the company is as ecologically-minded as a multi-national corporation can be, but as we’ve touched on before, not everything is as squeaky clean as it could be. The Toyota Prius has earned itself as one of the greenest vehicles on the road – a perception that the company’s report confirmed by detailing the fact that over its lifetime, the Prius is likely to emit much less carbon dioxide than other comparable vehicles.

Unfortunately, that truth is offset a bit by the fact that the vehicle performs marginally worse than average when it comes to the emissions generated to build hybrid. Specifically, Toyota cranks out extra nonmethane hydrocarbons and particulate matter, thanks specifically to the manufacturing of the car’s electric motor and battery pack. Those two pieces require larger amounts of energy and materials, snagging the Prius lower than average ratings across all five manufacturing emissions categories.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2009 AOL
[Source: Automotive News]

Study: The Toyota Prius has a dirty side after all – manufacturing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius MPV to debut at Detroit Auto Show [w/video]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Videos, Toyota

Toyota Prius video

Toyota teases the new Prius MPV – Click above to watch the video after the jump

Recently, Toyota teased its second addition to the Prius family during its 10th anniversary party for the automaker’s infamous hybrid. Now, Toyota has tweeted that the new vehicle, which obviously takes the shape of a Mazda5-sized MPV, will make its official debut at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Rumors have suggested that the Prius MPV will offer seating for seven via three rows of perches, though there’s no word on whether or not the larger Prius variant will use sliding doors or stick to a more Kia Rondo-like shape. Expect the Prius’ powertrain to be slightly revised for MPV duty, as well, probably with a few more lithium-ion batteries on hand to keep things extremely economical. We’ll know more come January, but for now, click past the jump to see a video of the Prius MPV’s teaser billboard coming to life.

[Source: Twitter, YouTube]

Continue reading Toyota Prius MPV to debut at Detroit Auto Show [w/video]

Toyota Prius MPV to debut at Detroit Auto Show [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: ABC News gets taken for a spin in Google’s self-driving Toyota Prius

Filed under: Etc., Technology, Videos, Toyota

Testing Google's driverless car

ABC News goes for a spin with one of Google’s driverless cars – Click above to watch video after the jump

Google’s autonomous fleet has been clandestinely racking up the computer-driven miles, and so far, their autonomous autos have been fault-free. One minor incident happened when a car was rear-ended, but the Skynet Google cars have yet to incur any points on their virtual licenses. Earlier this week, ABC News got the chance to go for a spin in one of the tech company’s automated cars, riding shotgun in a computer-controlled Toyota Prius.

The engineers from Google explain that the Prius utilizes a series of cameras and a roof-mounted, spinning laser to see what is going on around it. The result is a vehicle which might just be safer than one with a human behind the wheel. However, according to the report, the goal of the system is not to completely remove the driver from the equation, the system is pitched as more of a “super cruise-control” than a full auto-drive system. The theory is that it would be useful for traffic-filled commutes to and from work, and it might be a nice solution to eliminate or reduce distracted-driving. Get a phone call? Hit the Google button and let the car have the wheel while you take your call.

Becky Worley, the news correspondent in the video clip, even gets up the guts to give the Google car a real-life brake test. She steps in front of it as it’s motoring down the road. What happens? The car “sees” her and slams on the binders. Check it all out in the video after the jump.

[Source: ABC News]

Continue reading Video: ABC News gets taken for a spin in Google’s self-driving Toyota Prius

Video: ABC News gets taken for a spin in Google’s self-driving Toyota Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt controversy

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Chevrolet, GM, Nissan, Toyota

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Zach Bowman makes his debut on Episode #199 of the Autoblog Podcast. Show stalwarts Chris Shunk and Dan Roth guide the conversation from the teased Toyota Prius MPV, the tempest in a teapot over the Chevrolet Volt’s transmission and the rumors of Scion getting the FT86 instead of Toyota. We cover some of your feedback from our Q&A and answer an email question before wrapping up at an hour and twenty-six minutes. See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt transmission

In the Autoblog Garage:

Nissan Rogue
Kia Sorento EX V6 AWD

News:

  • Prius MPV Teased
  • Toyota FT-86 may begin life as a $25,000 Scion
  • Submit your picks for Internet Car and Truck of the Year
  • Did General Motors lie about the Chevy Volt?

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Runtime: 1:26:06

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Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #199 – Scion FT86, Toyota Prius MPV, Chevrolet Volt controversy originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Oct 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Worldwide Toyota Prius sales crack 2-million mark,10-year anniversary celebration planned

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

2010 Toyota Prius

2010 Toyota Prius – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Toyota Prius, launched in Japan in 1997 and introduced in Europe, North America and other markets in 2000, is without a doubt the best-selling hybrid vehicle ever produced. With a market that spans more than 70 countries and regions, the Toyota Motor Company’s economical hybrid is the most widely distributed gas-electric in this land (and just about every other one, too).

Selling at a rate of about 400,000 annual units worldwide, the Prius sits head-and-shoulders above any of its so-called competitors. All these sales mean you get to reach milestones now and again. Last month, the Prius reached another one, shattering the two-million sales mark worldwide. By the end of September, sales of the Prius stood at 2,012,000 and counting. You can hold back the applause for now, as the Prius’ record-setting run is far from over. Oh, yeah, a congratulatory pat on the back is welcomed as we also celebrate ten years of Prius sales in the U.S. which takes place, appropriately enough, on 10.10.10. Hit the jump for more on the Prius’ sales totals and plans for its ten-year anniversary celebration.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Prius


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / AOL

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Worldwide Toyota Prius sales crack 2-million mark,10-year anniversary celebration planned

Worldwide Toyota Prius sales crack 2-million mark,10-year anniversary celebration planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Are you the Toyota Prius minivan?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hybrid, Minivan/Van, Toyota

Prius Minivan Spy ShotEven though we’ve been hearing various rumblings across the interwebs for quite some time now that Toyota was hard at work crafting a mini-minivan version of its popular Pruis hybrid hatchback, it always helps assuage the skeptics when spy shots start to show up. And that’s exactly what we have here.

Toyota’s next swagger wagon appears to share its basic aerodynamic wedge-like profile with the well-known Prius, but the entire greenhouse seems to have been moved up and forward a few inches, taking on an airier feeling in the process. We don’t see any evidence of sliding doors, so we’ll have to assume (for now) that the Prius minivan will use four normal swinging portals.

Rumors indicate this machine, which may be called the Prius Alpha, will sport three rows and offer seating for seven. The spy shooter suggests that the MPV is roughly the size of a Mazda5, which we’d guess is just about right. Power will likely come from a version of the Prius hatchback’s four-cylinder hybrid powertrain, possibly with the addition of lithium ion batteries to improve mileage and may even allow for more electric-only propulsion opportunities. Look for it to hit the market around 2012.

[Source: Carscoop]

Spy Shots: Are you the Toyota Prius minivan? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Toyota RAV4

Back in July, Toyota and Tesla announced a joint venture to bring electric vehicles to market, and the first example – the RAV4 EV – is slated to go on sale in 2012. Now, an update from Toyota says the all-electric RAV4 will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November, meaning that an on-sale date in 2012 doesn’t seem all that unrealistic.

Speaking of 2012, Toyota also tweeted about its plans to bring the Prius PHEV to market in the second quarter of that year, citing May or June as a specific timeframe. When it launches, Toyota is targeting sales of roughly 20,000-plus units in North America, with the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf as the key competition.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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