First Photos of 2010 Toyota Prius Hit the Web
First Photos of 2010 Toyota Prius Hit the WebFront the front three-quarters view, it appears there is a cool inward ledge in back where the D-pillar ends and the tail lights begin, much like the funky rear treatment on the Kia Rondo. Nice. Elsewhere, multi-element headlights look like the arachnid eyes of a last-gen ('08) Mazda6, handsome rectilinear center air vents look lifted from an '80s S-Class Benz, and the park/reverse/drive selector (can't really call it a gear selector) has moved to a more traditional location on a sloping center console reminiscent of the first-gen Lexus RX300. All in all, it's more mature, sportier, and less Bill Gates gee-whiz than the current Prius. But will this hurt it in the eyes of the environmentally obsessed who love their car's hybrid nature standing out in every way possible?
Autoblog claim a more powerful gasoline engine, bigger electric motor, but no immediate plans for lithium-ion batteries, instead sticking to its tried-and-true nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Nonetheless, improved fuel efficiency is in the offing.--Colin Mathews
We'll leave you with this official word from Toyota's Open Road blog:
"We thought we’d take a moment to confirm that the car shown in these unauthorized photos – at least the ones we’ve seen so far - is indeed the new Prius.
"Sorry, we’re not able to provide details. Those will be forthcoming when the car is formally introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
"What we can tell you, however, is this: This new Prius will retain all of the virtues of the model that precedes it. It’s about the same size as its forebear, but with more interior room and better fuel economy. But you expected nothing less, right?
"Tune in January 11-13 for more information." 2010 Toyota PriusEnlarge PhotoIt was speculation yesterday, but as of this morning, Autoblog and Jalopnik confirm that the new Prius photos that jumped from PriusChat to those sites are indeed accurate representations of the exterior and interior of Toyota's third-generation Prius. While the general shape and greenhouse are quite similar, at first blush the new car looks more purposeful and angular (dare we say sporting?) riding on some attractive alloys, and much less like the current insectile economy car rolling on tiny pneumatic casters. Front the front three-quarters view, it appears there is a cool inward ledge in back where the D-pillar ends and the tail lights begin, much like the funky rear treatment on the Kia Rondo. Nice. Elsewhere, multi-element headlights look like the arachnid eyes of a last-gen ('08) Mazda6, handsome rectilinear center air vents look lifted from an '80s S-Class Benz, and the park/reverse/drive selector (can't really call it a gear selector) has moved to a more traditional location on a sloping center console reminiscent of the first-gen Lexus RX300. All in all, it's more mature, sportier, and less Bill Gates gee-whiz than the current Prius. But will this hurt it in the eyes of the environmentally obsessed who love their car's hybrid nature standing out in every way possible? Autoblog claim a more powerful gasoline engine, bigger electric motor, but no immediate plans for lithium-ion batteries, instead sticking to its tried-and-true nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Nonetheless, improved fuel efficiency is in the offing.--Colin Mathews 2010 Toyota PriusEnlarge Photo 2010 Toyota PriusEnlarge Photo 2010 Toyota PriusEnlarge Photo 2010 Toyota PriusEnlarge Photo We'll leave you with this official word from Toyota's Open Road blog: "We thought we’d take a moment to confirm that the car shown in these unauthorized photos – at least the ones we’ve seen so far - is indeed the new Prius. "Sorry, we’re not able to provide details. Those will be forthcoming when the car is formally introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. "What we can tell you, however, is this: This new Prius will retain all of the virtues of the model that precedes it. It’s about the same size as its forebear, but with more interior room and better fuel economy. But you expected nothing less, right? "Tune in January 11-13 for more information."
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Responses (4 total)
By Dave #1, Posted: 10/17/2008
Yawn! What a cheap looking interior. Looks like Toyotas interiors are starting to look like Chryslers old interiors!
By Ed #2, Posted: 10/18/2008
I agree with Dave, what a cheap, low-rent interior.
and in the exterior, it seems Toyota now made the mistake HOBDA made with its Civic and Accord Hybrids, which looked identical to the non-hybrid relatives. This 3rd Gen prius looks too damned much like the Cheapo Yaris! At least if it looked like a Buick LS460 (oops! I meant a Lexus LS460), it would look a bit more upscale..
Toyota: another IDIOTIC move (after the New and failed TUNDRA).
By squishy #3, Posted: 11/16/2008
chevy aveo has a better looking interior.
By Doug #4, Posted: 12/30/2008
Horrid interior
If that is the interior, then I will only look at the new Honda Insight or a 08 Prius. That interior is HORRORIBLE. I don't like the Yaris bumber/grill although it is a marginal improvement over the pointed nose on the older generation Prius. Overall this thing had better get 65 MPG to justify that God awful disaster of an interior.
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