I don't care if they don't change the outside a bit! I just want a plug-in Prius that'll go about 50 miles on a charge, even if it's only below 34mph! B) (although, if it could go up to 55 or so, that would be ok... ) Better fog lights, a real heads-up display, a block heater that is connected to the charger, and racing moon (disk) wheels would be ok, too... :lol:
Cosmo, the article is actually hinting at a sportscar hybrid concept. Although I would still like to see the Volta go production. Toyota has the GS hybrid right now for performance, and I would not be surprised if they have hybrid plans for the IS as well. Regarding the Prius, I think they will always market that for its MPG and efficiency, not performance. Sure, a little bit of power would always be welcome, but I believe Toyota would rather give you a choice between a very efficient Prius and a semi-efficient fast Celica.
Well then how about this as an option. http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/gossip/new-to...-too-154643.php cheers
I was just thinking the exact same thing... it has a very similar look to the Mazda 5, except without the sliding doors. I actually really like the Mazda 5 for the versatility, style and price - it is just the fuel economy that is pretty scary. 2.3L engine, 157hp, and it only gets 21/26MPG with the auto, 1MPG better on each with the stick. (!) Mazda 5 specs That is pretty horrid for any modern 4-cylinder engine. Mazda just seems so far behind Toyota and Honda for fuel efficiency. Then again, I believe a large part of them are owned by Ford.............. Kevin
I believe the RX-8 and the Miata are the only real mazda vehicles. The rest of the Mazda lineup are Fords. I thank Ford for letting the japanese engineers continue with the rotary though. It was hailed as the best engine a couple of years back until it got dislodged by a car that gets 50 MPG
You want a performance hybrid, look at the Highlander or the Lexus or even the Accord. But I will still argue that doing performance hybrids defeats the whole purpose of what the Prius is about. I, for example, could easily do with *half* the displacement of the current 1.5L prius engine, and probably do well north of 100 mpg without half trying. That's where *I'd* like to see some options ... without compromising back to a body size like the Insight as part of it. . _H*
Hopefully that'll happen wit the Yaris. They currently have engines that run from 1.0 litre and CVT to our 1.5 litre and 4-spd auto (a 1.8 litre T-Sport version is coming). Maybe they'll do the 1.0 litre HSD version. That'll be nice since the 1.0 litre already does close to 50mph (high 40s I think)
