| Manufacturer | Toyota Kanto Auto Works |
|---|---|
| Also called | Toyota Aqua (Japan) |
| Production | 2011 |
| Assembly | Iwate, Japan (KAW) |
| Class | Compact car |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel drive |
| Engine |
Gasoline engine: 1.5-liter DOHC 16–valve with VVT-i[1] |
| Wheelbase | 2,550 mm (100.4 in)[1] |
| Length | 4,000 mm (157.3 in)[1] |
| Width | 1,690 mm (66.7 in)[1] |
| Height | 1,450 mm (56.9 in)[1] |
The Toyota Prius c, named Toyota Aqua in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact hatchback produced by Toyota Motor Corporation. The Prius Aqua was launched in Japan in December 2011 at a price of ¥1.69 million (US$21,700).[2] The Prius c is scheduled to be released in Australia during the first quarter of 2012, and in the U.S. in the second quarter of 2012.[3][4]
The Prius c is the second spin-off of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy.[1][5] The production version of the Aqua was unveiled in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.[6] The production Prius c will be introduced in the U.S. at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.[3]
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The Toyota Prius c concept car was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show. Toyota explained that the 'c' in 'Prius c' stands for "city"-centric vehicle as it is much smaller than the normal Prius and is aimed at younger buyers without families who don't need lots of space."[7]
Together with the introduction of the production version of the Toyota Aqua at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, the carmaker also exhibited two other Aqua concepts, the Aqua Kiriri version and the Aqua Piriri.[8]
The Prius c features Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive with a 1.5-liter DOHC four-cylinder, 16–valve with VVT-i gasoline engine with a high-output motor. The hybrid system includes a new inverter, motor and battery. The hybrid powertrain weighs around 88 lb (40 kg) less than that the standard Prius Liftback.[5]
The body of the Prius c is smaller than the traditional Prius, with a wheelbase of 2,550 mm (100.4 in) it is 150 mm (5.9 in) shorter between the axles, and with a length of 4,000 mm (157.3 in) the Prius c is 490 mm (19.1 in) shorter over all than the standard Prius Liftback.[1]
Toyota estimates the fuel economy 35 km/L (82 mpg-US) (2.86 L/100km) on the official JC08 Japanese test cycles and 40 km/L (94 mpg-US) (2.5 L/100km) under the 10-15 test cycle.[1][4] Toyota expects the Prius c to reach a fuel economy higher than 50 mpg-US (4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg-imp) in the city under the United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles, which will allow the Prius c to feature the highest city fuel economy of any non-plug-in vehicle. The Prius c emission certification is SULEV.[1]
The Prius c will be built by Toyota's Kanto Auto Works affiliate in Iwate Prefecture in northern Japan.[5]
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