Big changes are in store for the poster car of gas-saving, eco-friendly hybrid power. First, a redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius is set to premiere at the January 2009 Detroit Auto Show alongside two new "dedicated hybrid" Toyota cars (see "Notable Feature" below for more on those). Then, sometime in calendar 2010, the Prius is expected to be available for the first time with advanced lithium-ion (LI) batteries. These pack more juice into less space than the nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) cells used in most hybrids to date, thus extending the car's electric-only driving range. Their adoption opens the door to adding plug-in capability for even greater volts-only range, and that's expected by calendar 2011.
Last but definitely not least, Toyota says it will build the Prius starting in late 2010 at a new factory now rising in Blue Springs, Mississippi, near Tupelo in the northeast part of the state. Toyota had slated this plant to turn out Highlander crossover SUVs, but abruptly changed plans in the face of soaring energy prices and a cratering U.S. truck market. On top of that, today's three Prius factories--two in Japan, one in China--can't keep up with soaring global demand for the hybrid icon, especially in the U.S., where calendar-2008 sales are actually down as a result. The Mississippi plant should fix that. It will also help Toyota toward its global goal of selling at least a million hybrid vehicles a year by early next decade. That compares with just over a million worldwide Prius sales since the car's Japan-market debut nearly 12 years ago.The 2010 Toyota Prius is said to be a scaled-up version of today's sloped-roof 4-door hatchback sedan. One company source describes it as "Prius-esque, but a bit bigger and more solid-looking." Reports indicate the car will grow 3-4 inches longer overall, perhaps 2-3 inches longer in wheelbase, and about an inch wider, but will be no taller and not much heavier. And hold onto your credit cards: A second Prius model is expected to appear after the new hatchback goes on sale, likely within 12 months. It's rumored to be a "wagon" or "minivan" style that could resemble the recent Hybrid X concept and will be about the same size as the hatchback.Regardless of model, the 2010 Toyota Prius reportedly gets a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine of similar design to the current 1.5-liter unit. An apparent response to some customers' request for zippier performance, the replacement engine is rumored to make 100 horsepower versus 75. Combined gas/electric horsepower is whispered at 160, up from 110. There's been no carping about Prius' electric Hybrid Synergy Drive, but we understand Toyota has re-engineered the system to be lighter, more compact, and more powerful despite launching the new model with conventional NiMH batteries. A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) will remain mandatory, but will doubtless be re-engineered, too.Despite the added power, the 2010 Toyota Prius is expected to achieve even higher fuel-economy ratings than the current model, which would be good news for consumers, if true. One source estimates a 10-percent overall improvement that would bump the EPA city number from 48 mpg to at least 50. As with all hybrids, however, real-world economy should remain somewhat lower than advertised.We haven't heard much yet about other underskin components, but here, too, the 2010 Toyota Prius should see mainly evolutionary changes, most likely geared to improving fuel-efficiency. Other features should carry over as well, including ABS, front and curtain side airbags, and options such as a navigation system and keyless entry/starting. Toyota has confirmed one new item: a roof-mounted solar-cell array to power accessories like the climate system, thus conserving battery power. Supplied by Kyocera Corporation, it's expected to be a limited-production option reserved for top-trim models.In all, the 2010 Toyota Prius shapes up as another case of tweaking a successful product to make it even more so, bolstered by new attractions like that second body style. In fact, there's talk of Prius eventually becoming a separate model line like Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand. Well, Toyota is the acknowledged "green car" leader by far, thanks to the current Prius, so why not? With the way things are going, this sure is a good time to do it.A Notable Feature of the 2010 Toyota PriusBesides the redesigned 2010 Prius, Toyota confirms two more "dedicated hybrid" cars, one for the Toyota franchise, the other for the premium Lexus brand. "Dedicated" here means that these models, like the Prius, are unique designs that do not share platforms with other Toyotas. Details remain closely guarded, but company officials say both yet-to-be-named cars will be "totally new." They may not be sisters, though, as there's talk of a smaller-than-Prius hybrid with a 2-cylinder gas engine, perhaps modeled on the recent 1/X concept, and a larger newbie with a 2.0- to 3.0-liter gas engine. Toyota should have more to say at next January's Detroit Auto Show, so stay tuned.
