It should come as no surprise Toyota will unveil the third-generation Prius hybrid car at the 2009 Detroit auto show just over nine months from now. What’s much more surprising, however, is a new report indicating a Prius-based Lexus model will debut at the same time.
That’s right — Toyota will debut not one, but two hybrid-specific models at next year’s North American International Auto Show. Based on the same platform and drivetrain as the new Prius, the Lexus model will be a sort of lifestyle sports wagon, according to Motor Trend.
Not much else is known about the new models, and debut dates could easily change in the coming months. It’s also unclear if the Lexus model will be presented as a showroom-ready car or a production-preview concept.
02/25, 3:34 PM
posted by:
roger426
Just what I want a lexus that looks like a prius.
02/25, 3:42 PM
posted by:
frylock350
Bash all you want (and I’ll be bashing plenty), but it WILL sell. Lexus’s top seller is a Camry, not a sport sedan. Toyota is just playing smart.
02/25, 3:42 PM
posted by:
jumpoffit
wierd- where i live i keep seeing 4 prius’ traveling around all the time with Michigan Manufacturer’s license plates- i wonder what those have anything to do with this.
02/25, 3:42 PM
posted by:
Heart64
This Lexus based Prius is gonna be cool. This is gonna be the new Paradigm shift for the automotive industry is Hybrids and Electrics no doubt. And I will be anxious to see how great Toyota makes this product.
02/25, 3:43 PM
posted by:
Heart64
Yep it will sell well.
02/25, 3:57 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Heart64, it will sell but I don’t know how “cool” a car like this can be, if at all. I sure as hell wouldn’t take my date out to dinner in one.
02/25, 3:58 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Oh well, if you think it’s cool then to each his own.
02/25, 4:09 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
Nope, it’s actually my cat. haha
02/25, 4:24 PM
posted by:
murderedout
Yep it will sell, only outside of North America.
02/25, 4:27 PM
posted by:
murderedout
It will also add to more of the thousands of recalls, making toyota once again the recall king of 2008. *YAWN*
02/25, 4:47 PM
posted by:
cookie4me
I predict this version will be a “plug-in” hybrid or would have the ability to be modified to have that ability. You know Toyota will pull out all the stops to stay in front of GM’s VOLT development.
02/25, 5:04 PM
posted by:
WEKS
murderedout, interestingly enough, Toyota hasn’t (to my knowledge) recalled a single car this year. While, for example, both Ford and GM has recalled over 180,000 in 2008.
02/25, 6:40 PM
posted by:
murderedout
LMAO^^^^^
02/25, 6:44 PM
posted by:
murderedout
WEKS 180,000 and no toyota recalls? Have any links to support that? Or did you pull that invalid statstic out of your ass just like the rest of the import humpers in here.
02/25, 10:21 PM
posted by:
autonut
It is sort of an old news: LS600H is a hybrid and sold by Lexus. It probably will start selling in Europe next year. I don’t know if it is being sold now, I was under impression that hybrid was for US consumption.
02/25, 11:03 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Let’s face it people, they’re going to develop regenerative braking on your average roll of toilet paper before long, so get used to this ‘let’s hybrid everything that rotates’ mentality. We’re at the point now where every manufacturer is picking their poison with what they choose to market as a hybrid. The good part- or bad depending on your perspective- is there are still a lot of niches to be filled.
All I can say is I truly hope the novelty has worn off enough for Toyota/Lexus to start making their bread and butter hybrids look like real cars and not something out of Woody Allen’s ‘Sleeper’.
02/25, 11:30 PM
posted by:
C6Racer
LMAO @ johnny. I am SO gonna get a patent on the regenerative toilet paper roll. I will come in handy when my parents have family reunions at their house. haha. (mexican food)
03/01, 12:41 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
“This L—s based Prius is gonna be cool.”
No, a Scuderia or a Hog is cool. This is just a car.
Bah, I’m waiting for the Lexus rebadged Prius. The interior will feature soft baby seal leather seats and African rhino ivory inserts. They’ll call it the Priapism
Comment by global_lightning, posted on February4 at 8:16 pm