You are here: Home / Conventional Cars / New Compact Prius C Leaked in Brochure?

New Compact Prius C Leaked in Brochure?

October 19, 2011 by 12 Comments
Facebook Twitter Stumbleupon Digg Email Reddit Tumblr
Last January Toyota announced the expansion of the Prius hybrid lineupto include a larger “V” model, a plug-in hybrid, and a smaller, sportier compact, the Prius C. While Toyota has not officially released any info or images of the Prius C, a recently leaked brochure gives us a clearer picture of what to expect.Carscoop was sent this image, supposedly from a leaked Toyota brochure, that not only reveals what the Prius C will look like but also what we should expect in terms of fuel economy. If this is indeed the production model, it will look remarkably like a smaller version of the current Prius sedan, including the headlights and taillights. Not surprising there, though I do hope a coupe model is in the works, as I could see such a car being popular with those of us who don’t want to sacrifice style and performance for efficiency.

Less Power, More MPG?Even bigger though are the proposed powertrains for the Prius C. A 1.4 liter engine will provide just 74 horsepower and 82 ft-lbs of torque through a CVT automatic transmission. A seperate electric motor will provide an additional 61 horsepower and 125 ft-lbs of torque, for a combined power rating of around 100 horsepower. On the Japanese fuel economy cycle, this would translate into an 84 mpg rating…though keep in mind that on the same cycle, the standard Prius gets an 89 mpg rating. Here in America on the EPA test cycle the Toyota Prius is only rated at 50 mpg. So expect fuel economy in the upper 40’s when the Prius C does eventually go on sale.

I’ve never hid my contempt for the Prius…but I think a smaller, sportier hybrid, done right, could appeal to a broader range of buyers. A coupe would be nicer, but if Toyota can keep the starting price under $20,000, they could have a winner on their hands.

How about you readers? What do you think of the next member of the Prius family?

Source: Carscoop

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can read about his slow descent into madness at Sublime Burnout or follow his non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.
Print Friendly Version of this pagePrint Get a PDF version of this webpagePDF
Filed Under: Conventional Cars, Hybrid Vehicles Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
About Christopher DeMorro

Chris DeMorro is a writer and gearhead who loves all things automotive, from hybrids to HEMIs. You can follow his slow descent into madness and non-nonsensical ramblings on Twitter @harshcougar.

  • John Coltraine

    I don’t think anything.

  • Dominic Groz

    A smaller, less powerful Prius with a worse fuel economy is ….. ????? IDIOTIC.
    Are you sure you got your numbers right?

    I would expect a close to 60MPG EPA rating for the smaller Prius, maybe 59MPG, drivers could goose that into low 70s for a car in the low $20s and now you have a winner.

    We do not need another car with 40MPG, every manufacturer offers one.

    • http://www.sublimeburnout.com Christopher DeMorro

      @ Dominic

      I can’t believe I am defending the Prius…but…

      Most of those 40 mpg compacts you are talking about get 40 mpg highway. I expect the Prius C will see at least that in city driving, which no none-hybrid compact even comes close to (though the Fusion/MKZ Hybrids get 41 mpg city if I am not mistaken.)

      You are forgetting that these days compact cars still carry quite a lot of technology and safety equipment. Also, none of this is official let’s keep in mind. It is a supposedly leaked brochure, and for a Japanese-spec car. Who knows what to expect from an American version?

      • chris

        im sorry but your just wrong. this car has a smaller engine, smaller body, less weight. all these things translate into better fuel economy. this car will def be in the combined 58mpg range.

        also do you understand that the prius current model is 51/48? why would they make a smaller car that does worse gas mileage. also, the fusion and mkz are not in the same class as a prius.

        not a good article. gotta get the facts right.

        • http://www.sublimeburnout.com Christopher DeMorro

          @ chris

          The only *facts* we have is a “leaked” brochure. Toyota has said literally nothing yet regarding the Prius C’s horsepower or fuel economy.

          So there are no facts to go on. Yet.

  • pup

    i’ve heard ‘talk’ of a 94 mpg prius c [aqua?], combined 100hp. but it’s hard for me to believe toyota would put out a ‘new’ product with lower deliverables–less space/power and lower mpg.
    price-point aside, it seems counterintuitive to the company’s past strategy, and [past] knack for true innovation in a marketplace inclined and/or willing to embrace it.
    how about a prius coupe/2 door with hatch/visability vehicle? i think a lot of people, including me, would have big love for a polygamous marriage of prius, smart car, and honda crz.

  • Dominic Groz

    All I am saying is that I think you are not comparing the same driving cycles for the original Prius and the C. Everybody else estimates this to be the most fuel efficient car on the road today without being a plug-in.

    A smaller, lighter car, with basically the same engine and drive train detuned to fewer HP should provide better MPG than the regular Prius. From what I read people estimate close to 60MPG EPA which propably is close to the limit of what real life gasolene hybrids are capable off.

    Again I believe this could easily be translated to low 70MPG with some mild hypermiling techniques.

  • http://www.musconetcong.org Bill Leavens

    Dare they put in a manual transmission and lose two doors for hose of us who like to drive? Even better, cn they please drop in a tiny trurbodiesel. With or without all the battery/motor stuff?

  • Jenifer Lynch

    I own a 2007 Prius and two 2010 Prii. I travel an hour between work and home everyday, and I make about 54 mpg. The idea of the Prius C having worse fuel economy is horrible, because I’m married without children and would like something smaller. I don’t mind the look so much if it means I have the best fuel economy on the road. People need to care more about the fact that gas is finite and expensive rather than what their ride looks like. People are too superficial. Having a car that’s nice too look at always feels good, but sometimes you have to sacrifice to get what you want and need. There isn’t another car in the US with the mpg I get.

    • http://www.sublimeburnout.com Christopher DeMorro

      @ Jenifer Lynch

      People are starting to care about the finite nature of oil, which is good. But that does not mean I should have to sacrifice aesthetics, comfort, or performance. Automakers are responding with a wide range of solutions.

      That said, I do agree that a compact Prius should probably have better gas mileage than this brochure seems to indicate, although the two vastly different testing cycles between Japan and America, as well as tuning differences, means we probably can’t jump to any conclusions just yet.

  • LuvMyPriusHybrid

    I think the Prius C will be a hit IF Toyota can tackle some of the problems that the current Prius has. I own a 2010 Prius and I LOVE it. I am averaging 52 MPG…I live in South Florida (Fort Lauderdale,) so the air conditioning is constantly running. I can’t wait until January and February when it gets down into the 70′s and don’t have to use the air…my MPG will SKYROCKET!!
    Anyways, one BIG issue I have with the Prius are those damn seats! They are too wide and flat and I have yet to find the perfect driving position. I owned Honda’s all my life and I LOVE their seats. So Toyota, take a look at the seats in the Honda Accord and the Honda Fit and PLEASE change them for this new Prius C. Also the telescopic steering wheel does not come out far enough, and please change the steering wheel shape from kinda-oval to round. Even though the instrument lighting is good, it could be a bright whitish-blue color.
    In the Prius C, Toyota should think about putting in a standard non-navigation screen (for people who don’t buy navigation) that houses the Hybrid System like that in the previous generation of the Prius. OH, and a cool feature is one that the Ford Fusion has…there is a screen that shows how much energy from the battery and motor is being used when you turn on an accessory like the lights, the radio, the air conditioning, etc. You know, just fun cool stuff that us hybrid nuts can enjoy, but that is also useful

  • Pingback: Plug in, Hit the Road: Toyota Prius Camper