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BMW and Toyota come together, right now, over batteries

Daniel Cooper — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:38:00 EST

Clue's in the headline, really. Car makers BMW and Toyota have finally gotten around to confirming that they're pairing up to research next generation lithium-ion batteries. The focus will be on building environmentally friendly technologies that'll boost the power of future EVs. The duo will also examine new ways of combining materials to build better cathodes, anodes and electrolytes. As part of the deal, Toyota will be buying diesel engines for its European subsidiary from its Teutonic new best friend from 2014.

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BMW and Toyota come together, right now, over batteries originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Mar 2012 13:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Toyota to collaborate on future lithium-ion tech, love notes

Dante Cesa — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:50:00 EST

What kind of doors open when you're Toyota and you sell over three million hybrids? Apparently a partnership with BMW on "next-generation" lithium-ion packs and all sorts of future green debauchery. Whether the collaboration will bear fruit in time for München's upcoming lithium-ion powered i3 and i8 remains to be seen, but the tie-up should save the duo mucho dinero as they pool development time and cut costs with economies of scale. The memorandum will also grant Toyota's European outfit with access to BMW's 1.6 and 2.0 liter diesel engines come 2014. Does that mean we're a little over three years from the bimmer powered oil burning Prius of our dreams? Guess we'll have to find out, but we can't imagine things are exactly peachy over in France right about now.

Continue reading BMW and Toyota to collaborate on future lithium-ion tech, love notes

BMW and Toyota to collaborate on future lithium-ion tech, love notes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 08:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Air Force X-37B space plane books additional time on orbital cruise, orders another margarita

Chris Barylick — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:35:00 EST

If your secret space plane's in orbit and doing its secret thing well enough, why bother bringing it home? This appears to be the mindset of the Air Force regarding its experimental X-37B space plane, the billion-dollar robotic vehicle's orbital flight being extended beyond the 270 days it was initially designed for. While the Air Force has stated that the vehicle is meant only for conducting orbital science experiments, analysts say the X-37B is capable of much more, and could perform additional tasks such as acting as an orbital spy, sneaking up on and tampering with enemy satellites or hauling small batches of supplies to the International Space Station. Perhaps the most interesting thing is that the X-37B could stay in orbit for that much longer. Although the Air Force said last year that the X-37B could last nine months above the heavens before its power and fuel ran out, an inside source commented that "it sips power and fuel like a Prius." Click through the break for the full X-37B schematics, which -- crazily enough -- look nothing like a Prius.

Continue reading Air Force X-37B space plane books additional time on orbital cruise, orders another margarita

Air Force X-37B space plane books additional time on orbital cruise, orders another margarita originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show

Chris Barylick — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:00 EST

If there's one absolute truth to cars, it's this: next year's models will generally make you regret the one you just bought. Over at the Tokyo Motor Show, this standard will probably hold true, with Toyota set to launch a smaller-than-current-Prius in the form of the Prius C, or "Aqua". The C, which takes some interesting technological steps forward, packs a hybrid drivetrain, coupling an as-yet undisclosed "high-output" electric motor with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine. According to Toyota, this combination will yield over 50 miles per gallon in the city, the highest city fuel economy for any non-plug-in vehicle. Getting into more experimental territory, Toyota is also expected to unveil the FCV-R concept, this model previewing a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle with room for four passengers and luggage space currently being targeted for a 2015 market launch. This, along with the FT-EV III (which will preview an upcoming electric version of the company's iQ model with a short-range battery-powered drivetrain) round out Toyota's morsels for the new model year. Stay tuned for additional pricing and release dates as they become available, and head down past the break to see what to expect from the new Prius.

Gallery: Toyota Motor Show 2012 Preview Gallery

Continue reading Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show

Toyota to unveil Prius C, hydrogen and electric hybrid concepts at 2012 Tokyo Motor Show originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius C undergoes name change, comes out feeling 'Aqua' blue

Joseph Volpe — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:04:00 EST

Ladies and members of the so-hip-it-hurts demographic, Toyota's got a Prius hybrid just for you. The curved, futuristic-looking EV first did the dais spin for us at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year and now, armed with a hue-matching 'Aqua' moniker, is prepping to rollout to lots in January of 2012. A report in Nikkei indicates this fuel efficient gas / electric car will get just about 40km/l (or 94mpg), besting its current Prius family member's 32km/l (about 75mpg). And as for that price tag, look for it to retail at around 1.7 million yen (or $22,000) when it makes its eventual splashy blue bow in the Japan and US next year.

Toyota Prius C undergoes name change, comes out feeling 'Aqua' blue originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video)

Amar Toor — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:29:00 EST

Silence may be a virtue under most circumstances, but not when you're driving around a leafy, residential neighborhood in your Toyota Prius. That's why the manufacturer came out with its very own vehicle proximity notification system last year -- a "futuristic," underhood noisemaker designed to alert pedestrians and the visually impaired to the plug-in's presence. Now, Toyota has offered more details on its safety system, in a freshly released demo video starring the 2012 Prius V. The car's artificial engine noise, as the company explains, only kicks in at speeds below 15 miles per hour, allowing it to broadcast its audible heads-up across parking lots or other low-speed zones. The sound itself, meanwhile, emanates from external speakers and consists of a blend of high and low frequencies that won't be by muffled by background noise or physical obstacles. The vehicle's pitch shift technology also enables the tone to rise in pitch as the car speeds up and to fall as it slows down, giving others an idea of how fast it's approaching. Accelerate past the break to see the full video for yourself, while John Kerry nods in silent approval.

Continue reading Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video)

Toyota demos Prius' proximity notification system, touts 'futuristic' purr (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video)

Myriam Joire — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:11:00 EST

Yesterday we attended Toyota's Green Drive Expo where we were given the opportunity to take the production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid (PHV) -- and its smorgasbord of technology -- for a spin. We spent a couple hours ~~driving~~ interfacing with the computers aboard the Advanced model, which besides being outlet-friendly, includes some unique features within the Prius lineup. Explore our gallery below, and hit the break for our impressions and hands-on videos with the latest incarnation of Toyota's iconic vehicle.

Gallery: Toyota Prius production plug-in hybrid

Continue reading Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video)

Hands-on with Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Sep 2011 21:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Plug-in Prius pulling into American driveways in February or March of 2012

Terrence O'Brien — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:47:00 EST

Good new PHV fans, the plug-in Prius you've been promised should start pulling into American driveways in February or March of 2012 -- at least according to a startup date chart at Donlen. The fleet management firm claims initial orders will be taken on November 10th of this year, with the vehicle scheduled to into production in January. An Autoblog tipster also claims to have some rather vague details about trim and color options, as well as its estimated MSRP, which should be below $30,000. Now we've just got to figure out how many extension cords it'll take to reach from our apartment window to the street below.

Plug-in Prius pulling into American driveways in February or March of 2012 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 15:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius Project's concept bike lets you shift gears with your mind

Amar Toor — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:34:00 EST

Got mind control on the mind? Check out this new concept bike from Deeplocal -- a Pittsburgh-based design house that's adding a neurological twist to the art of cycling. As part of Toyota Prius Project No. 11, the company outfitted the seat post of a Parlee PXP aero road bike with a wireless transmitter, allowing users to remotely shift gears with a smartphone. Deeplocal's designers then added a set of neuron transmitters to a helmet and re-programmed the PXP to communicate with them -- meaning, in theory, that riders could control the bike's gears by simply thinking about it. Theory, of course, isn't the same thing as practice, but perhaps the concept will become a reality if we think really hard about it.

Toyota Prius Project's concept bike lets you shift gears with your mind originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Jul 2011 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 plug-in Prius to include selectable EV mode, full battery regeneration

Zach Honig — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:02:00 EST

We already know to expect Toyota's Entune infotainment system in the dash of the 2012 Prius, but the hybrid's monster EV batteries will be powering much more than a touchscreen and apps. According to ConsumerSearch, next year's plug-in vehicle will include two new features aimed at improving the car's electric-only range for local driving, especially when your commute also includes a trip down the freeway. The first improvement comes in the form of an EV mode button, allowing you to turn off EV for highway driving, which tends to drain those batts faster than a Thunderbolt in Hotspot mode. The Prius will also offer full battery regeneration, so power-off activities like braking and driving downhill will restore the hybrid's EV-only range -- especially helpful if you live in a hilly area or tend to make frequent stops. Both new features should have a fairly significant impact on efficiency, so you'll soon be able to drive further in the city without tapping a single drop of crude.

2012 plug-in Prius to include selectable EV mode, full battery regeneration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All 2014 Prius hybrids to roll with plug-in and 2011 pricing, Hoitz and Gamble rejoice (update: not true)

Zach Honig — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:47:00 EST

Hybrid cars are sleek, efficient, and even occasionally sexy. Cheap they are not, however, though Toyota hopes to stir up the market in 2014, with affordable plug-in models that also boast much-improved mileage ratings. That year's Prii will ship standard with plug-in, and will quietly conquer at least 90 highway miles per gallon (compared to about 50 mpg for current models), according to Autoblog. The 2014 Prius will also be priced comparably to current non-plug-in models -- around $25,000 -- assuming Toyota can successfully reduce the cost of batteries and other key components. We can only hope that fuel prices aren't any higher three years from now, but even if they are, at least you'll still be able to afford to commute in something larger than a Vespa.

Update: Oops! Toyota responded to this report saying "there is no formal plan to make all Priuses [sic] plug-in by 2014." Not even a possibility, Autoblog was told. Ah well.

All 2014 Prius hybrids to roll with plug-in and 2011 pricing, Hoitz and Gamble rejoice (update: not true) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 May 2011 19:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota and WiTricity team up for OTA car charging

Brian Heater — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:39:00 EST

Some day you'll charge everything wirelessly -- phones, cars, graphing calculators, all using the same basic technology. That's the sort of utopian vision Toyota had in mind when it formed the Wireless Battery-charging Alliance with WiTricity. The young Massachusetts-based company is pushing "resonance" technology, which charges electronics without contact and is supposedly more efficient than induction-based charging -- a category that includes the popular Qi standard. This new partnership ups the ante, adding electric vehicles to the list of chargeable devices, a vision of the future where Prius batteries can be filled wirelessly, while sitting in driveways and parking garages. Exxon's engineers are no doubt working to perfect the hose-free gasoline transfer as we speak. PR after the break.

[Thanks, Paul]

Continue reading Toyota and WiTricity team up for OTA car charging

Toyota and WiTricity team up for OTA car charging originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Entune and Prius V hands-on

Tim Stevens — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:26:00 EST

This year at CES we got our first glimpse of the Toyota Entune infotainment system, and then a week later at the North American International Auto Show we got our first close-up look at the bigger, hatchbackier Prius V. Now, here at the New York International Auto Show, the two pieces have come together into one five-door package. The car and the infotainment suite are slated to hit dealerships this summer and we sat down in one to try out the other. See if you can figure out which is which before clicking on through to check out our impressions.

Gallery: Toyota Entune and Prius V hands-on

Continue reading Toyota Entune and Prius V hands-on

Toyota Entune and Prius V hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Apr 2011 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota sells one million Prii in US alone

Christopher Trout — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:14:00 EST

Thank you Toyota, for teaching us the plural of Prius, because somehow, "Toyota sells one million Priuples" just doesn't jive. That's right, the Japanese automaker announced Wednesday that it has officially sold its one millionth Prius on American soil. It's reportedly also reached a couple of other sales milestones in the last six months, with worldwide Prius sales reaching two million in October and overall Toyota hybrid sales exceeding three million in March. Now that's a whole lot of Prii. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Toyota sells one million Prii in US alone

Toyota sells one million Prii in US alone originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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American Prius V to get old-school batteries, Japanese version to get fancy Li-ion ones

Tim Stevens — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:06:00 EST

We'd rather see a more interesting Prius before we see a bigger one, but it's the bigger one that comes first. The taller Prius V that was unveiled in Detroit is said to begin hitting Japanese showrooms next month, priced at ¥3 million (about $37,000) and packing an all-new Li-ion battery in the floor. This is different than the nickel metal hydride pack found in the current Prius, a smaller and lighter design that leaves room for a third row of seats. When the car hits the US, though, we'll get a bigger set of cells like the one in the current Prius, meaning the American version won't have those seats in the back. Irritating? A little, but the version we'll be getting will also be available in Japan, where it will sell for almost $10,000 less than the Li-ion version. For ten grand in savings we'd probably skip the rear seats too.

American Prius V to get old-school batteries, Japanese version to get fancy Li-ion ones originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Mar 2011 06:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota unveils its Global Vision, pledges 10 new electrified cars by 2015

Tim Stevens — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:28:00 EST

Toyota's getting serious with this plural Prius stuff. If you still don't buy that Prii is the correct term you'd better hurry up and get over it, as the company just announced its "Toyota Global Vision," including a plan to launch 10 more hybrid vehicles by 2015. Surely that counts the new models unveiled in Detroit, the taller Prius V and the funkier Prius C, but it remains to be seen exactly what else the company will use to build up those numbers. Toyota also says that more fuel cell and fully electric cars are coming, along with numerous "genuinely exciting models," so maybe if we're really good over the next four years one of those Prii will actually be fun to drive.

Toyota unveils its Global Vision, pledges 10 new electrified cars by 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota to start selling home battery chargers in 2012, sate the electrical appetites of the Prii

Michael Gorman — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:28:00 EST

We've seen the plug-in Prius (a few times, actually), but what we hadn't seen was how Toyota planned to get the juice from the grid to its car until now. Turns out, the automaker plans to sell home battery chargers starting in 2012 so that buyers of PHEV Prii can fully take advantage of that plug in the front fender. The chargers come in two flavors: one for the garage and one for the exterior of your home, and will cost upwards of ¥200,000 ($2411) fully installed, making it quite a bit more than GM's $2000 Voltec charging station. The good news for us all is that Toyota's charger uses the same SAE J1772 plug found in the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, so we're hopefully just weeks away from the first-ever EV charger price wars. Popcorn grabbing seems a must given the circumstances.

Toyota to start selling home battery chargers in 2012, sate the electrical appetites of the Prii originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota decrees the plural of 'Prius' is 'Prii,' your Latin teacher looks on admonishingly

Tim Stevens — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:21:00 EST

The world faces many challenges and concerns when it comes to the future of transportation, but one of the biggest hurdles to a utopian future has finally been overcome. Toyota, using the might of its international team of engineers and wordsmiths, has finally decided what you should say when you see multiples of the company's hybrids parked together. They are to be called Prii -- not Priuses, not Priuples, not Boring Cars. Just Prii. Remember it.

Continue reading Toyota decrees the plural of 'Prius' is 'Prii,' your Latin teacher looks on admonishingly

Toyota decrees the plural of 'Prius' is 'Prii,' your Latin teacher looks on admonishingly originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zipcar adds the plug-in Prius PHEV to its fleet, probably not changing name to Zapcar

Tim Stevens — Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:29:00 EST

Would you like a plug-in Prius, the sort that we spent a few days with last year, back when the seasons were changing and there was only a hint of this killer winter to come? Well, too bad, because you still can't buy them. But Zipcar can, apparently, adding eight of the things to its fleet, and they're available now in Boston, San Francisco, and Portland, Oregon. Given the company has 8,000 total cars available your chances of securing one of these particular Priuses (Prii?) is slim, but if you score, know that they charge in just three hours on a 110 outlet, and half that if you're wired for 220, so no fancy-pants charging station is required for use.

Zipcar adds the plug-in Prius PHEV to its fleet, probably not changing name to Zapcar originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota developing new type of electric motor in an effort to escape dependency on rare earth metals

Vlad Savov — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:45:00 EST

Toyota's not too pleased with the general scarcity of rare earth minerals and China's near-monopolistic grip on the world's supply, so it's decided to act before it's too late. A company spokesman has been cited as saying the Prius maker is hard at work on a new electric motor design that should dramatically reduce (though seemingly not eliminate) the need for rare earths in its production. Aside from being made of less price-volatile materials, the new electric ticker is expected to be generally cheaper to manufacture. Further details aren't yet available, but we hope this turns into a classic case of necessity breeding innovation -- that Prius C concept deserves a set of internals that can keep up with its bodacious exterior.

Toyota developing new type of electric motor in an effort to escape dependency on rare earth metals originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 04:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota puts Prius C on a pedestal, we go back for more

Tim Stevens — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:46:00 EST

Sorry, we can't help ourselves. You see, we like the Prius. A lot. But it's just so... well... boring. Not the Prius C. It's just a Concept, but it's a Curvy one, a Cute one, and a downright Catch. Call us anytime. Toyota. You have our number.

Gallery: Toyota Prius C

Toyota puts Prius C on a pedestal, we go back for more originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 08:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota debuts new Prius models, family-friendlier Prius V and funkier Prius C

Tim Stevens — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:23:00 EST

Toyota made no bones about the fact that more Prius models were to be unveiled in Detroit for the North American International Auto Show, even throwing advertisements up around town asking whether it's supposed to be Priuses or Priii. (We, as you can see, chose to side-step the debate.) Now we know what's coming, first being the Prius V. It's the MPV the company has been teasing, basically just a taller version of the four-door sedan with a hatchback and a whopping 60 percent more cargo space -- 32 cubic feet, which is more than most compact SUVs. It's to be rated 42mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined, which is a surprising 10mpg lower than the sedan model. That's perhaps a bit disappointing, but availability this summer is a pleasant surprise.

Next is the Prius C, naturally for "concept," which is aimed at "young singles and couples." It's definitely funkier and way cooler than the current model, looking to have a nose very similar to the car's FT-86 concept. We hope the production model looks quite close to this, and while that's always a doubtful proposition we won't have all that long to wait, with it hitting dealerships in the first half of 2012. Toyota also showed off the Prius Plug-In, the very same one we test drove last year, said to be coming first to the western and eastern coasts of the US first, and re-affirmed the "patriarch" status of the current-generation Prius sedan, having sold 230,000 cars since 2009. It's good to be the king.

Gallery: Toyota Prius V and Prius C

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota debuts new Prius models, family-friendlier Prius V and funkier Prius C originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2002 Prius with 206,000 miles tested again, still gets (almost) the same mileage

Tim Stevens — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:22:00 EST

Afraid that your hybrid or full electric vehicle will be dead after a few years? Well, we recently saw how rapid-recharging has a minimal impact on the longevity of a car's batteries, even after 1,500 iterations. Now we have some more good news: Consumer Reports decided to do a re-test a 2002 Prius, with 206,000 on the clock, and found that it delivered 46.3mpg, compared to 48.6 in the original test with a new car. Lower? Yes, but not bad for 206,000 miles. Not that bad at all. Full test results, including performance figures, are on the other end of the source link.

2002 Prius with 206,000 miles tested again, still gets (almost) the same mileage originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota looks set to launch two new Prius models in Detroit, one's a mystery

Tim Stevens — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 08:07:00 EST

It's a sure-fire bet that Toyota will unveil its upright Prius MPV at the North American International Auto Show in a couple of weeks, a rather more roomy and practical version of the hybrid that really started it all. And, of course, the plug-in model we tested in October will be surely rocking the floor. Now we're hearing that another as of yet unreleased Prius will be on display, simply referred to as a "Prius concept vehicle." Concept cars of course range from the mundane to the insane, and knowing Toyota we're guessing this one will fall squarely into the former category. Just the same we're hoping for a tire-shredding, slalom-eating, RWD hybrid Prius Supra model. We'll be there in Detroit when the unveil happens and we'll be sure to bring some tissues to wipe away our tears of disappointment.

Continue reading Toyota looks set to launch two new Prius models in Detroit, one's a mystery

Toyota looks set to launch two new Prius models in Detroit, one's a mystery originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 08:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CE-Oh no he didn't!: GM's Dan Akerson says he 'wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius'

Donald Melanson — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:11:00 EST

Think GM's CEO sees the Toyota Prius as a worthy competitor that, in many ways, paved the way for the Chevy Volt? Think again. Speaking to the Economic Club of Washington, D.C. this week, GM CEO Dan Akerson described Toyota's hybrid as a "geek-mobile," and flatly declared that he "wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius." Not surprisingly, it didn't long for Toyota to respond to that slam, with a company spokesman telling The New York Times that "Toyota has sold more than two million Prius hybrids worldwide, and counting. Those buyers can't all be geeks." What's most troubling to us about all of this, however, is the implication that a "geek-mobile" is somehow a bad thing -- it sounds pretty awesome to us... geeks.

CE-Oh no he didn't!: GM's Dan Akerson says he 'wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius' originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Prius PHEV preview: three days in plug-in paradise

Tim Stevens — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:01:00 EST

The future of modern transportation awaits us. By 2012 we expect to have multiple proper, reasonable choices for fully electric vehicles, but check your calendar and you'll see it's still 2010, leaving us still waiting for cars like the Leaf and the Volt to make their proper appearances. Toyota would like to remind you that the Prius is still here, celebrating an amazing tenth year of availability in the US and teasing us with the upcoming plug-in model, offering a taste of EV with the practicality of a hybrid. We just spent three days with one and managed a quite impressive 91mpg average -- no hypermiling required. Click on through for our detailed impressions of this five-door eco-warrior.

Gallery: Prius plug-in

Continue reading Toyota Prius PHEV preview: three days in plug-in paradise

Toyota Prius PHEV preview: three days in plug-in paradise originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video)

Tim Stevens — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:21:00 EST

Electric vehicles and hybrids are here to save the environment (or at least kill your fuel bill), but if you listen to some people they're also here to mow down our pedestrians thanks to their ninja-like ways. Nissan's Leaf has already gone the way of sci-fi by offering a Blade Runner-inspired exterior soundtrack to make sidewalk replicants take notice, and now the Prius is joining in on the fun with its own under-hood speaker system. Curiously, this one will be optional, Toyota apparently expecting that purchasers are so philanthropically minded that they'll pay an extra 12,600 yen (about $150) to protect poor pedestrians. You can see how it's supposed to work in the image above, in which a Prius is shown emitting sound waves to deter a toupee-wearing zombie. But, if you'd rather watch a flashy presentation and hear it for yourself, check out the thrilling video after the break. It'll make you wish your auto sounded like a hovercar.

Continue reading Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video)

Prius gets optional underhood, zombie-deterring noisemaker, sounds appropriately futuristic (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The state of the electric automobile, in pictures

Sean Hollister — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:24:00 EST

You've heard the announcements. You know the specs. You may even be able to guess how the showdown will play out. But unless you were in San Jose, California, this week for Plug-In 2010, you've probably never seen six contenders for our future electric vehicle dollars all in one room. We hopped in our late-80s gas guzzler and hit the show floor in your stead, snapping enough pictures of the Leaf, Volt, Focus, Prius PHEV, fortwo Electric Drive, and the i MiEV to give you a virtual tour. See what we saw after the break.

Continue reading The state of the electric automobile, in pictures

The state of the electric automobile, in pictures originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: electric cars, solar planes, and really sweet lights

Inhabitat — Sun, 30 May 2010 20:35:00 EST

This week several ultra-efficient transportation stories got Inhabitat's engines running as we watched a custom built Daihatsu Mira EV travel a record-breaking 623 miles on a single charge. Unfortunately we don't expect to see that hypermiler hitting the states anytime soon, but at least we won't have to wait long to get behind the wheel of Toyota's Prius Alpha MPV, which is set to launch next year. And if air travel is more your speed, why not take to the skies aboard this zero-emission Elektra airplane, which spends its downtime soaking up the suns rays in a solar hangar.

While the iPad and its kin are making waves today, we can't wait to see the next generation of devices that implement Sony's new energy-efficient OLED displays, which are thinner than a strand of human hair.

This week Inhabitat also showcased an incredible spectrum of eco-efficient repurposed designs as we unveiled 23 finalists in our Spring Greening DIY Design Contest. Perhaps you recycle your cardboard and Coke cans, but if you're looking for a bit of inspiration from master design-recyclers check out this pendant lamp made from hundreds of soda tabs, this Cone Light made from repurposed traffic cones, and this chandelier composed almost entirely of six-pack rings. We were also wowed by these garments made from recycled video tape that showcase an analogue take on high-tech couture and this stunning lamp made from strips of old film.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: electric cars, solar planes, and really sweet lights originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 May 2010 20:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inhabitat's Week in Green: cow treadmills, electric cars, and the Milan Furniture Fair

Inhabitat — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:17:00 EST

The Week in Green is a new item from our friends at Inhabitat, recapping the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us.

It was a busy week in green design as the design world's most important trade show, the Milan Furniture Fair, wrapped up, and Earth Day hit with full force on Thursday, April 22nd. Inhabitat brought you the most incredible green designs from Milan -- from LED lamps made almost entirely from soap to Inigo Mauerer's stunning new stripped-down OLED chandelier to gigantic architectural LEGO bricks (with life-size lego furniture to match!)

We also caught wind of several curious new energy developments from across the pond -- first, the UK is hatching a plan to recycle human waste into fuel by piping biomethane from the sewage system back into homes in Oxfordshire. Meanwhile a farmer in Norther Ireland has created a treadmill for cows that he thinks could generate 6% of the world's power. More conventional alt energy sources are on the rise as well - this week researchers announced advances in dye solar cells that make strides towards grid parity and a gasification process that is capable of doubling biofuel production.

Several major auto manufacturers also got our engines racing this week as they unveiled the next generation of sleek electric rides. Toyota officially revealed plans for a minivan sequel to it's ever-popular Prius while Chevy charged ahead with the MPV5, a larger version of the Volt sedan that seats five and packs extra space in the trunk. And finally, if classic cars are more your style, don't miss this cloth-covered retrofit to a rusty old MG Midget.

Inhabitat's Week in Green: cow treadmills, electric cars, and the Milan Furniture Fair originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's plug-in hybrids getting companion charging stations next year in Japan

Ross Miller — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:41:00 EST

What's the best complement to a trial run of plug-in hybrids? Why, matching solar stations, of course! Toyota Industries Corp has announced that it's been developing solar charging stations for its new Prius models. The first place to test out the chargers is unsurprisingly Toyota City in Aichi Prefecture, Japan, where 21 stations will be built across 11 locales including government offices and train depots. Probably not worth planning a trip around, but if you want to be that extra special sort of tourist, schedule your vacation for sometime after April 2010.

Toyota's plug-in hybrids getting companion charging stations next year in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 01:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's plug-in Prius hybrid goes into testing across the globe, on sale in 2011

Ross Miller — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:19:00 EST

Good news, everyone! The target date for Toyota's Prius plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is slightly less out of reach than the 2012 window we heard prior: according to Autoblog, it's now set for late 2011 and the price is deemed "affordable." Back to the present, as a tease to the world at large, the company's planning to produce and ship just under 600 of the models over the next six months. That breaks down to around 230 for Japan, 200 for Europe, and just 150 for the 'States. Government agencies, corporations, and universities are the primary recipients, and interestingly, half of those Euro-bound cars are going straight to Strasbourg, France. The only catch is that it looks like the autos will be sticking with its flashy, hyper-blue paint job -- not that we mind one bit, but we can see that bugging a few people out.

Toyota's plug-in Prius hybrid goes into testing across the globe, on sale in 2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:53:00 EST

If you think cellphones have become overbearingly complex, look away now. A partnership of tech companies and content providers, known as the ng Connect Program, has revealed a prototype "LTE Connected Car," which, as you might surmise, combines 4G mobile broadband connectivity with a bunch of cloud-sourced facilities, such as video on demand, audio libraries, and multiplayer gaming. It can also serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot, connect directly to home automation or monitoring systems, and probably cook you scrambled eggs if you ask nicely. A Toyota Prius serves as the guinea pig for this new concept, and we've got video of the whole shebang after the break.

Read - ng Connect Program Puts Connectivity in the Fast Lane with the LTE Connected Car Concept Vehicle
Read - ng Connect Program Reveals the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Connected Car

Continue reading LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video)

Filed under: Misc, LTE

LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video)

Vlad Savov — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:53:00 EST

Continue reading LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video)

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

LTE Connected Car redefines the 'mobile' in mobile broadband (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's plug-in hybrid Prius gets pictured, detailed further

Darren Murph — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:01:00 EST

The future, kids -- we're living in it. Sensationalism aside, we are pretty jazzed to hear that Toyota's long-awaited, much-teased plug-in Prius hybrid will be making its bona fide debut to the public next week. The image above is expected to be near-final, though we're reserving judgment until we see if the actual model on stage is plastered with 80s era stick-on graphics. Of note, the Hybrid Synergy Drive system has been upgraded for this whip, enabling it to slowly rocket from 0 to 62 without using a drop of gasoline. Once there, it can cruise for up to 12.5 miles in electric mode, and should you need to juice it back up, it'll take 1.5 hours when charged from a 230V source. Further details are expected to flow as Frankfurt heats up, though the whole "not shipping to retail until 2012" kind of puts a damper on our excitement.

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota's plug-in hybrid Prius gets pictured, detailed further originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota moves its two millionth hybrid vehicle, Ma Earth tips her hat

Darren Murph — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:13:00 EST

It's incredibly hard to believe that the original Prius went on sale a full dozen years ago, but as the debatable face of the hybrid reaches its third generation, Toyota as a whole is celebrating the sale of its two millionth hybrid. As of August 31st, global sales of the automaker's hybrid fleet has surpassed 2.01 million, and as of now, there are 13 hybrids in the company's lineup. Later this year, Lexus (the outfit's luxury brand) is set to see its fourth hybrid hit the streets, and it's been said that Toyota could have a hybrid version of every motorcar it sells by the end of the next decade. Not like it'll matter -- we'll all be cruising around in Jetson-mobiles or Tesla Roadsters by then, anyway.

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota moves its two millionth hybrid vehicle, Ma Earth tips her hat originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 23:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota's giant solar flowers popping up across US to bring good will, free WiFi, and charging stations

Ross Miller — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:47:00 EST

Now here's a smart marketing campaign. In an effort to raise awareness / interest in its 2010 Prius, Toyota planted five 18-foot tall "solar flowers" in Boston's Prudential Plaza and provided free Wi-Fi and electricity that was "partially powered" by the solar panels attached to the petals and stem. The so-called "Harmony Between Man, Nature and Machine" just disappeared from Boston but will next germinate in New York, followed by Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. We're not exactly in the market for a car right now, but we promise to think about it while we lovingly enjoy the free laptop charge and internet access.

[Via PhysOrg]

Read - Flickr set from Boston
Read - Schedule

Filed under: Transportation, Wireless

Toyota's giant solar flowers popping up across US to bring good will, free WiFi, and charging stations originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Jul 2009 01:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look

Darren Murph — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST

Not like you didn't already know everything there was to know about the 2010 Prius, but in all seriousness, here's a snippet we'll bet you weren't aware of. Autoblog has pointed out that Toyota's next-generation hybrid will sport an all new Touch Tracer Display that will enable steering wheel commands to appear atop the speedometer whenever a button is pushed. The upside? Rather than glancing down at your wheel (and thus, away from oncoming traffic), you'll be able to see the options while keeping your head up and eyes on the road. Naturally, we'd expect this little innovation to spread far and wide across Toyota's fleet in the not-too-distant future.

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

Touch Tracer Display gives 2010 Prius speedometer a new look originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota claims plug-in Prius averaging 65 mpg

Paul Miller — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:43:00 EST

Not only does the impending plug-in Prius poop rainbows and chill out with unicorns, it's also doing pretty good for itself in "real world" MPG testing. Toyota claims they're hitting 65 mpg on average, 10 mpg higher than the brand new 2010 Prius "regular," and credit that fancy new lithium ion battery, which lets the car store up a lot more energy than an average hybrid. They also claim that this didn't involve any special hypermiling techniques, the drivers were instructed to drive like any other vehicle.

Filed under: Transportation

Toyota claims plug-in Prius averaging 65 mpg originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 09:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next-gen Prius now official, uses solar panels to keep car cool

Ross Miller — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST

The very shoe-like 2010 Toyota Prius has made its official debut at this week's Detroit Auto Show. The company estimates it'll have a 50 MPG rating -- up from 46 MPG in the previous model -- and there's a bigger, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine for improved highway mileage. In addition to Power and Eco driving modes, EV Drive will let you run on battery alone for about a mile, which if nothing else should provide a little extra push for getting to the gas station when you've held off for too long. One of the coolest (literally) new features is the optional solar panels in the moonroof that will generate power for circulating air and keeping the interior temperature from going too high. If that's not enough, there's a remote-controlled A/C system that can run on battery alone and lets you set the temperature before you get in. Check out the read link for more specs and the full press release.

Filed under: Transportation

Next-gen Prius now official, uses solar panels to keep car cool originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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