Toyota Launches 83 MPG Prius C In Japan, Takes 60,000 Pre-Orders

Banking on the success of the Prius brand, Toyota has expanded its hybrid offerings three-fold with the Prius Plug-In, Prius V, and upcoming Prius C. While both the Plug-In and V models of the Prius offer substantial steps up in technology and space (respectively), it is the diminutive Prius C that seems to have captured the attention of customers.

Having just put the Prius C on sale, Toyota has already received over 60,000 pre-orders for the compact hybrid, far exceeding their stated monthly sales goal of 12,000 units. Priced at about $21,000, the Prius C (called the Toyota Aqua in Japan) will offer customers exceptional fuel economy in an affordable package. On the Japanese testing cycle, the Prius C gets an 83 MPG rating. It?s important to note though that the standard Prius is rated at 76.6 MPG in Japan, so obviously the different methods of fuel economy standards do not translate.

Still, the Prius C appears to be about 10% more fuel efficient than the standard Prius, and if that?s the case, than the compact hybrid should be able to attain an EPA rating of about 55 mpg. Toyota will sell the Prius C all around the world, and it utilizes the same Synergy hybrid drivetrain as its larger cousin.

And you know what? I like it. GASP! I know! Chris DeMorro, hater of hybrids, likes a Prius?! Perhaps its the better looks, the more affordable price, or the potential for an eventual sporty coupe model?but to my tastes, the Prius C is world?s away a better looking car, despite sharing many, many styling cues with the standard Prius. I think it?s the rear end that makes the biggest different; unlike the Prius, the Aqua/C looks a lot more like a conventional compact car.

The Prius C should go on sale in America later this year. If they can shed two doors and give me a little more powah, well hell, I might be a Toyota owner sooner rather than later.

Source: Toyota

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