As the smallest, least expensive and most fuel efficient hybrid in the expanding Toyota fleet, the Prius c will make its North American debut January 10 at 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Oringinally unveiled in January as the Aqua at the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota said the Prius C will get more than 50 mpg in the city, the highest city mpg of any non-plug-in vehicle. Some reviewers believe the vehicle will average more than 60 mpg.
The Prius C will be equipped with a 1.5-liter, four-cylinder Hybrid Synergy Drive engine.
Toyota hasn't announce the price of its small hybrid. But it's expected the Prius c will be significantly less than any current Prius and may be priced at appriximately $20,000.
The subcompact hatchback has been launched in Japan, is scheduled for release as the Prius c in Australia during the first quarter of 2012, and in the United States in the second quarter of 2012.
Article Last Updated: December 20, 2011.
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A sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004.
In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness columns for Gulfshore Business, a magazine in Southwest Florida.
An author and contributor to many newspapers, magazines and online publications, co-hosted The Weekly Driver Podcast from 2017 to 2024.
Damn! Does that mean Honda has to back down its engine to 1.3 liters on their future cars?