Get Ready For The All-New 2009 Toyota Prius

If you’re doing some research on hybrid vehicles and specifically trying to learn everything you can about the Toyota Prius, this should be a great place to start.  Over the next few weeks, I’ll be writing a series of posts about the most popular hybrid car in the relatively short history of hybrid automobiles.  Rather than start with the first and oldest Prius model and work our way forward, we’ll begin with a preview of the upcoming 2009 version and finish by going back in time.  Are you ready?

Rumors about what we supposedly know so far.

For starters, the next generation Toyota Prius will get a much needed increase in engine size, moving from the 1.5 liter engine we’ve seen from 2004-2008 to a 1.8 liter powerhouse.

In addition, the Prius will be an inch wider and and inch shorter in length.  Statements have been made by Toyota that the next generation Prius might include some form of plug-in hybrid option (aka PHEV), and a lithium-ion battery.  Lithium batteries are said to be more powerful and lighter than the nickel ones in past model year Prius.

Not much…yet.

Probably the best available information on how the 2009 Toyota Prius will differ from what we’ve seen during the last 5 years comes from a test drive and article in Popular Mechanics (October, 2007).  To summarize, the prototype mentioned in this article still had a 1.5L engine, along with two (2) nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) batteries - the same ones the current version uses.  The driver was able to reach speeds of about 50 mph using only the batteries, and estimates were that this prototype would be able to travel 3-4 miles without ever engaging the gas engine.

Does anyone have a clue?

According to Motortrend, the next generation Prius will feature a sophisticated three-link independent rear suspension, exceptional rigidity due to extensive use of high-strength steel, and high crash-safety scores.  They also had another article that included an artist’s rendition of what the Gen 3 Prius might look like.  It’s a lot better than anything I could draw, but I sure hope the new model looks more edgy than this little green machine.

Three Toyota Prius’ are better than one.

Lastly, I ran across a post on Motor Authority (here) citing another article (unreferenced) in Automobile Magazine that mentioned Toyota’s plans to release three new hybrid vehicles labeled the Prius A, B, and C, with the new models due in 2009, 2010, and 2011 respectively.  So…there you have it.  After reading and scanning nearly a hundred pages of pure speculation about the secret Prius, I really don’t feel like we know anything yet.  When that changes, we’ll get you the good stuff.  At that point we will add a 2008 vs 2009 Prius article with a side-by-side comparison of cost, miles per gallon, specs, details, and all the info.

UPDATE (04/28/2008): 2009 Toyota Prius availability.  According to Edmunds’ AutoObserver, the 2009 model year Prius is scheduled to debut at the January, 2009 Detroit Auto Show.  As we reported earlier, the all new Toyota Prius will be 3-4 inches longer, an inch wider, a bit heavier, and more powerful than the current model.  Even better news is that next year’s model should also be more fuel efficient and could exceed 50 mpg.  The ‘09 Prius won’t be a plug-in version just yet, although that is still in the works.  So, what’s your guess as to the MSRP of this highly anticipated, next generation Prius?  And, assuming this vehicle debuts in January, will this actually be a 2010 Prius?

Update #2 (05/07/2008):  Road and Track snagged some spy photos / pictures of the 2009 / 2010 Toyota Prius, and mentioned that the price may actually be a little less than the current 2008 Prius.  They expect the Prius Base Model to start at about $21,000, with a Prius Luxury Model and Prius Eco Model also on the way (no pricing guesstimates on those yet).

Update #3 (07/07/2008):  According to a report in Japan’s Nikkei business daily (subscription required), the top-of-the-line next generation 2009 model Prius will include solar panels built into the vehicle’s roof.  The power generated by the panels would be used to help power the air conditioner. If this actually is true, Toyota would be the first big auto manufacturer to incorporate solar power in a mass produced car.  The same newspaper article stated that Toyota plans to build 450,000 Prius in ‘09 - a 60% increase from 2007 numbers. As is often the case with these reports, the source was unidentified and no spokesperson from Toyota confirmed or denied the information.

Update #4 (07/10/2008):  The Associated Press is reporting today that Toyota plans to build the new hybrid Prius in Blue Springs, Mississippi beginning late 2010. This would be the first time the Prius would be built outside of China and Japan. In related news, Toyota will soon be producing the hybrid Highlander at their Princeton, Indiana plant.

Update #5 (07/18/2008):  The Prius forums are buzzing this week with posts that a few Toyota dealers have indicated the 2009 Prius will not include the next generation changes, and that with the exception of some minor changes, the ‘09 model will be the same as the 2008 Prius. Some apparently heard that the updates we’ve been hearing about will be delayed until the 2010 Prius or possibly even the 2011 Prius. Not a word from Toyota yet, and with all the people now on waiting lists, expecting the 2009 model to include several changes, the rumors are really starting to fly. Stay tuned!

Get a quick quote on a brand new Toyota Prius.

Can’t wait for the ‘09 Prius?  Learn about the 2004-2008 Prius versions you can buy right now!

Will Honda’s next “Green” car beat the 2009 Prius to market?