Toyota is expanding its family of Prius models with the presentation of the all-new Prius V minivan that will join the current, third-generation Prius as well as the forthcoming Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV), starting from late summer 2011.
The Prius V shares the same platform and hybrid drivetrain as the regular, five-door model, however, Toyota claims the minivan will feature over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius.
According to the Japanese automaker, the new model "has been designed from the ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an elongated version."
Inside, the Prius V offers seating for five with increased headspace and visibility, as well as 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats allow for four different seat arrangements, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for longer cargo.
In a first for a Toyota vehicle, the Prius V will offer an available lightweight resin moon roof with retractable sunshades, boasting a 40-percent reduction in weight compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size.
Furthermore, the hybrid minivan will also be the first vehicle to offer Toyota's all new, Entune multi-media system that debuted last week at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The new system supports mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, as well as allowing access to travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports.
As mentioned, the Prius V features the same hybrid drivetrain as the regular Prius matting a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with an electric motor.
Toyota said the Prius V will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined.
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13 Comments:
the image Prius_v_020.JPG show, in my opinion, the best side of this car. Still dust-bustery, but much nicer profile to look at.
I'll give them as much that this not only looks better than the boring orginal kammback Prius, but because they made a more practical Estate version, this might just be a Prius that doesn't look as bad as a Prius (if you know what I mean by that).
Still, it's series hybrid tech is 10 years old and it been leapfroged by nissan and chev. Their parrelle plug in has to be here tommorow.
Not bad. Toyota is back. Now just give us a sports car.
looks to much like a bolted on add-on - Interior looks old fashioned
Thats not a Minivan, it just a 5 seater wagon!
The new 2011 Lexus CT 200h wagon is rated higher at 42 mpg combined and has a nicer interior for under $30K. Wonder what price Toyota is going to put on the Prius V to make a case for choosing it instead?
This is no minivan, it's a station wagon. useless..I guess I'll stick with the Honda Odyssey.
Okay, so it has MORE interior space than the Prius but still only 5 seats - as well as being, heavier, thirstier, slower, less aerodynamic [thus probably dirtier, environmentally].
Did Toyota do a feasibilty study correctly on this?
And will market it at what price?
Minivan? Where's the sliding doors and limo leg room? Could have been called Prius XL because if this is a minivan, what the heck is the Sienna called? Anyway, hope to see a Prius sport coupe to compete with Hyundai's Veloster and Honda's CR-Z hybrid sport coupes.
They've mixed a minivan and a Prius, two vehicles you don't want to be seen in, and I'd rather drive a Pinto that some redneck turned into an El Camino.
One of the most ugly cars ever seen. So boring
Not a minivan. A minivan must have three rows of seats to be a minivan. This is just a Prius wagon.
"A minivan must have three rows of seats to be a minivan."
And what of most SUV's?
How in the world can you call seating for five a minivan?
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