Well, as the title says, the production version of the 2012 Toyota Prius C has been revealed ahead of its 2011 Tokyo Motor Show debut on November 30, which is the reason we know now a few things about it we didn’t use to know.
The five-seat hybrid hatch promises to set a new fuel efficiency benchmark for Toyota in Australia when it goes on sale in the first quarter of next year. Appearently, the Prius C will be marginally more efficient than the larger Toyota Prius, which uses 3.9 litres/100km on the combined cycle under Australian standards, information we know due to preliminary Japanese fuel consumption tests.
This will manage to make the Yaris-sized Prius the most fuel efficient petrol-powered car in Australia, and more than that, it will also be cheaper than the standard Prius, becoming the most affordable hybrid in the country if it undercuts the $29,990 Honda Insight. But pricing is yet to be confirmed by Toyota, and this will hapen closer to the vehicle’s local launch next year.
What poweres the Prius C is a 1.5-litre petrol engine and a high-output electric motor, and more than this we do not know, since Toyota keeps the specifications for later.
According to Toyota, the engine and hybrid components have been arranged to provide a low centre of gravity for better driving dynamics and to create a spacious interior with a functional boot.
The sales for the Prius C will start in Japan somewhere late next month, and it will be called Aqua.
Source: CarAdvice