I do have some inside info from Toyota directly, not pulled from outside websites. Also, this will be a bit wordy, so stay with me.

These are the only confirmed changes for the Prius in US specs for the midwest/Chicago Region. It is possible there may be slight regional changes across the US (there are about 15 regions in the US).

There are only minor changes for the Prius for 2006. They are:

Exterior Styling
- front headlamp freshening
- rear combination lamp freshening
- decorative radiator grille adopted

New Standard Equipment
- tire pressure monitoring system
- advanced airbag system

New Options
- rear back-up camera
- leather seats and wrapped sterring wheel (gray or ivory)
- base and JBL audio to include MP3-readability and input jack
- JBL 3-in-1 AM/FM Cassette/6 disc in-dash CD changer 2/9 speakers and Bluetooth capability for hands free phone use, MP3 CD readability, input jack

New Exterior Color
- Classic Silver Metallic

This information I have confirmed with one of my Regional Managers and one of Toyota's main technical consultants for hybrids, both work in the Chicago region.

Now, there are several colors that supposedly will be changed and the interior colros will supposedly be changed to the oak and stone used in other Toyotas and there will supposedly be other packages and on and on.

What I can tell you is what is real for Toyota now. Not to say there may not be other small changes by the time the Prius arrives in the US in November, because Toyota always plays its cards close to the vest. But don't count on it.

I don't get to check the forums much here, so if you feel you have other info from Toyota or want to ask me any questions, please feel free to contact me direct at ****.

Thanks, and thanks to ___ for providing such a great way to get the word out.

Listed for orders are these colors, packages, and post-production options (items that can be added once your Prius arrives in Portland, Oregon form Japan).

0040 Super White 01F7 Classic Silver

01G3 Magnetic Gray 0202 Black

03R3 Barcelona Red Mettalic 04S2 Bronze Mica Mettalic

06V0 Silver Pine Mica 08S2 Seaside Pearl


FB11 Gray interior FB41 Pebble Beige interior


8 Packages (nothing in the system for details on the packages yet)

GY HE

HF HG

HI HK

NL NW


Post-production accessories:

EF Rear Bumper Applique GN Cargo Net

P6 6 Disc In-dash CD Changer V2 (GBS) Glass Breakage Sensor

V5 V.I.P. RS3200 Plus Sensor WL Alloy Wheel Locks

3Z First Aid Kit 7R Emergency Assistance Kit

N1 Auto-dim Rear View Mirror w/Homelink

9G Cargo Tote

So there is confirmation of these at least from Toyota. No pricing yet, and no info on what is in each package or what packages they will be producing yet. But a little more is coming out every few days. I'll share what I can.

As far as when they are being delivered, in the midwest US, Chicago region, we expect first deliveries in November. We are only taking orders for 2006's now. We have six incoming 2005's and those will arrive in port between 9/3-9/12. But I expect sometime in mid- to late October the 2005's will stop being shipped and there will be a lag until the 2006's start showing up.

And I will share pics as soon as I can get real shots, not just spy/Photoshop pics.