Reports reveal that Toyota could be working on Prius coupè to compete with Honda’s upcoming CR-Z. The Prius would be shortened by 100 mm to accommodate the two door format, and some changes would be required to the power train system as well.

The Prius coupè would be likely to use the same 1.8-litre 2ZR-FXE engine with the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, but some updates would be carried out to achieve 134 hp. That’s 36hp more than the standard version.

While fuel consumption will suffer slightly, this would still become one of the most efficient sports cars on the market. No details have been revealed as to when production might occur, or even the name, with speculation over whether it would take on the MR-2 moniker.

Source | 7Tune via Autoblog

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Reports say that Toyota plans to make its first European-produced hybrid car with the Auris model. Production could start from 2012, when the Auris hatchback is due for a full remodelling.

This would make it the third hybrid model in the Toyota range after the Prius, and the Camry (in the US) adding a further option to Toyota’s environmental offering. In the Asia Pacific region, Toyota has previously said that it would introduce a number of hybrid models, among which the Auris (Corolla in that market) would be included.

The Auris has been successful car for Toyota in the European market, being the third best sold in the range in the first five months of this year, after the Yaris and Aygo Light Car models.

New Toyota president Akio Toyoda has said that Toyota will take a new direction in the future, modifying its strategy to be a full-line manufacturer in all regions. One part of the strategy will be to focus on the hybrid model offering in Europe.

Source | Car Advice via Reuters

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The global success of the Prius (at least in terms of image) has been such that Toyota could be thinking of launching a brand esclusively dedicated to the hybrid cars, that could produce an entire family of models dedicated to the celebrated parent.

Kazuo Okamoto, vice president of research and development at the Japanese company, announced the news in an interview published by Automotive News, saying: “The idea is being assessed but I cannot reveal what stage we are at. I think we’re following a natural course.”

Okamoto continued, conferming that “using the Prius’ platform to develop derived models is possible”, repeating that essentially the Japanese don’t want to leave anything unattempted in the increasingly interesting sector of hybrid cars.

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