Toyota Rumored To Launch 94 Mpg Compact Hybrid
Toyota will allegedly launch a new compact hybrid in January that will deliver a record low gasoline consumption of 40 km per liter. On a straight (non EPA) conversion, that would be a jaw-dropping 94 miles per gallon.
What’s less, the car “will not only beat the Prius’ 32km fuel economy, but also likely sell for around 1.7 million yen, around 300,000 yen cheaper than the Prius,” says The Nikkei [sub].
Converted to dollars, that would be around $4,000 less. The Nikkei says the car will be called “Aqua.” Toyota’s official lips are zipped.
Again, according to the Nikkei, the alleged Aqua “will use the same powertrain as the highly popular Prius, helping to hold down development costs.”
Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.
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More details in Japanese-language media: - 1.5 liter engine (coupled with Prius hybrid system). - Will be a separate sub-brand. (So not a "Prius", and could also spawn additional models, in the same way that the Prius has spawned the Prius Alpha / V minivan. - Tokyo Motor Show December 2011 debut. - Underpinnings from Toyota Vitz (Yaris) See more here: http://integrityexports.com/2011/09/29/new-toyota-aqua-gets-40-kml-debuts-at-tokyo-motor-show-in-december/
All they have to do is make it lighter and slower. Considering how thier owners drive them, the current Prius has about 2-3X as much HP as it needs. Make something the size and wieght of the original MK1 VW Golf with a modern hybrid drivetrain and you could probably get 100mpg out of it. Then learn to drive, pay attention, and don't hit anything with it!
They are showing the "C" Prius (concept) in the newly released Prius Person commercials.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YHY0gGkXkQ
That car's styling goes well with that person's 'styling'. As for the likes of you and me, I think something a little less Picassoesque would do better.