A Prius C By Any Other Name Is A Yaris Hybrid

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

Toyota is launching a hybrid version of the Yaris, and will likely be the European substitute for the Prius c/Aqua that Bertel drove just last week.

Previewed in concept form last year, the Yaris Hybrid will be built in France and have the exact same drivetrain as the Prius c. Fuel economy should be about the same as well. Since the Yaris Hybrid is far too close to the Prius c (without any of the brand equity), look for it to remain unavailable to American consumers.

Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Mike978 Mike978 on Jan 23, 2012

    Is the Yaris about the same size as the Prius C? I ask because why did Toyota go to the trouble of designing the C if the same powertrain (and efficiency) can be had with the Yaris which was already designed. Couldn`t they have differentiate the front and still call it a Prius in the US since Prius has more brand equity?

    • See 2 previous
    • Sothy Sothy on Jan 24, 2012

      Actually, the author seems to be mistaken? Having never seen the car, it seems to be hybrid version of the latest (2nd gen) Toyota Ractis/Toyota Verso-S? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Ractis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Aqua The wheelbase (100.4 inch) is identical, and, even the length, 157.1 inch vs. 157.3 inch is very similar. Plus, they both seem to have "MPV" styling. (No doubt there is a 'common platform' element here with the Yaris, given that Audi/VW has the same platform in the A4 and A8, why not? But on a superficial, I'm not an engineer-just looking at pictures kind of level, I say that that the Aqua is a reskinned Ractis/Verso-S.)

  • Jruhi4 Jruhi4 on Jan 23, 2012

    You are all correct that Prius c/Aqua and Yaris Hybrid share the same basic architecture and powertrain. The latest Yaris hatchbacks, however, sit on a 2510 mm/98.8″ wheelbase, whereas Prius c/Aqua are on the outgoing Yaris sedans' longer 2550mm/100.4" wheelbase. Rumors have gone back and forth on whether or not Europe would get the Prius c as something that would fall in between the Yaris and Auris hybrids and to capitalize on the eco-cachet the Prius enjoys even among some Europeans, but importing Prius c in Europe is seemingly a money-losing proposition because of yen/euro exchange rates. I'd guess they won't bother and let Yaris Hybrid play that role instead.

  • Tallnikita Tallnikita on Jan 23, 2012

    Only a person with a low iQ would forgo selling prius c here for an overpriced death box on wheels.

    • LectroByte LectroByte on Jan 23, 2012

      Huh? The Chevy Volt is two or three categories up in price from the Prius C, so why bring it up at all?

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