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3rd-Gen Prius To Be Half-Size, Price
Okay, Toyota's got my attention. But will this 3rd-generation Prius be enough of an improvement over my gas-only, LEV Civic to make the switch environmentally compelling? Toyota announced today it'll slash the price and size of its hybrid system by around half for the next Prius model, plus use a nickel-metal hydride battery instead of higher-energy lithium-ion, Planet Ark reports. But what about the all-important MPGs?
No release date yet. Maybe late 2008.
Julia Whitty is Mother Jones' environmental correspondent. You can read from her new book, The Fragile Edge, and other writings, here.
Comments
I love my 2005 Hybrid Civic. . . 50mpg + except wintertime with studded snows and gas reformulation, down to mid to low 40's. Honda's are great--if they will only make a plug-in hybrid now!
I have an '07 Prius and I love it... but would love it all the more if it had lithium ion batteries and the "run on electric" only button like they have in Europe! Cutting the size and price doesn't surprise me as they are now trying to recoup their investment and aren't so concerned with development since the US auto makers are still a long way behind!
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Executive.Director
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on 10/29/07 at 11:32 AM Respond
YES ... this looks promising. Looks like it would bring it down to my price range. Maybe I can trade my 1998 Rav4 in on one. Should be perfect here in Southern California. We need all the help we can get.
Posted by: Miki Davis on 10/29/07 at 11:38 AM Respond
YES ... this looks promising. Looks like it would bring it down to my price range. Maybe I can trade my 1998 Rav4 in on one. Should be perfect here in Southern California. We need all the help we can get.
Posted by: Miki Davis on 10/29/07 at 11:38 AM Respond
6'4", 215lb. Will I fit? I hope I can, I hope I can. My 2000 Civic can't last forever.
Posted by: jim on 10/29/07 at 12:18 PM Respond
This would definitely bring the car into my price range. I would love to own a Prius so I hope this happens soon.
Posted by: Pat Tibbs on 10/29/07 at 11:43 PM Respond
That Nickel-Metal Hydride battery is akin to the old 1990's notebook batteries (or some low-range mp3 players) before Lithium became the standard. They discharged rapidly and their life was around 1/2 of a Lithium type. Do you really want that in a car? Want the Prius' economical engine already? Get a Yaris or any of the Scions - the engine on all models gets 34 miles to the gallon on the street & 40 on the hiway.
Posted by: Loonesta on 10/30/07 at 7:34 AM Respond
This headline is confused/misleading. Toyota will cut in half the size and price of the HYBRID SYSTEM, not of the entire car.
Posted by: Rory Finneren on 10/30/07 at 10:21 AM Respond
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Posted by: Steve Williams on 10/29/07 at 10:57 AM Respond