I have been looking for a new car to replace my Toyota Yaris. The problem is with my simple but apparently really hard to satisfy demand for a plug-in hybrid coupe that isn't a 1800 kg, $50,000 Cadillac ELR. A while back, someone infamously performed a reverse stretch on a Prius-II (two wrecked Prii actually), converting the vehicle from five doors to three. The result was surprisingly attractive and had all the benefits one would associate with a coupe: a smaller footprint and better looks. After a lot of research, I decided that what I wanted was a reverse-stretched Prius-V. How much would it cost to have the rear two doors removed and the car truncated?
I looked at PHEV conversions and such. My concern was that PHEV conversions are rarely "seamless". The biggest downer was the inability of PHEV conversions to actually function as hybrids because the petrol motor cannot recharge the expanded battery. So, I felt it was necessary to go with a factory PHEV, which meant the Prius.
Not a plug in hybrid, but... new electric cars. custom mini electric vehicles. smart USA It's definitely a short 3 door coupe.
You could probably relatively easily put Prius gen 2 (or gen 1) drivetrain in Celica T230 or Scion tC ANT10 since all of these use older Toyota MC platform. Or put Prius gen 3 or Prius+/Prius v drivetrain in Scion tC AGT20 since all of these use newer Toyota MC platform.
That’s why I put the word relatively in there. It should be easier than to cut the middle part out of the car since end parts just don’t fit together. Especially if the end result needs to look good and be structurally solid and safe.
Yes I have followed that from the beginning. But what he’s doing is totally different from what I was talking about. He’s swapping the whole floor pan, powertrain, suspension, and lot more into the car that is constructed totally different way. I have been involved with powertrain swaps. Even when using powertrain from totally different car fabrication work is a fraction of what he’s doing. And when using powertrain from a car with same platform you can probably even use most of the motor mounts. I know that what I originally say was an overstatement. What I meant was that it would be easier to swap Prius powertrain into those cars since they use the same platform. Than to cut Prius in half and make it shorter especially since end product needs to be safe and good looking (finishing and lines).
I believe so, yes, but not plug-in hybrids, and I think the hybrid Yaris is only available in four-door.
