Unified design theme for future Toyota hybrids
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Unified design theme for future Toyota hybrids
Unified design theme for future Toyota hybrids
Posted on Monday 15 October 2007
One of the key reasons Toyota has had such success with the Prius is the instantly recognizable green image the car projects. That’s one of the major reasons why the Prius has gone on to sell almost 140,000 units in the U.S. this year whereas the similarly efficient Camry Hybrid sold just under 40,000. People buying hybrid vehicles not only want the peace of mind that they’re doing their part to help the environment but they also want people around them to know it.
Toyota and most other carmakers for that matter have realized this and that’s why for its next-generation of hybrids Toyota will be unifying the design of the eco-friendly cars so that they present a common green image. The design is still being finalized but Toyota’s chief designer, Wahei Hirai, gave Automotive News a preview of it, which is said to resemble the Prius shape but with more character lines as seen in the 1/X concept (pictured).
The cars will feature more body sculpting for sharper angles and edges in a similar fashion to the lines on the iQ minicar concept. These are said to reduce drag while at the same time improve stability, revealed Hirai.
Of course there will still be hybrids based on regular models but these will have unique grilles, bumpers or headlights to differentiate them, the Chief designer explained.
Posted on Monday 15 October 2007
One of the key reasons Toyota has had such success with the Prius is the instantly recognizable green image the car projects. That’s one of the major reasons why the Prius has gone on to sell almost 140,000 units in the U.S. this year whereas the similarly efficient Camry Hybrid sold just under 40,000. People buying hybrid vehicles not only want the peace of mind that they’re doing their part to help the environment but they also want people around them to know it.
Toyota and most other carmakers for that matter have realized this and that’s why for its next-generation of hybrids Toyota will be unifying the design of the eco-friendly cars so that they present a common green image. The design is still being finalized but Toyota’s chief designer, Wahei Hirai, gave Automotive News a preview of it, which is said to resemble the Prius shape but with more character lines as seen in the 1/X concept (pictured).
The cars will feature more body sculpting for sharper angles and edges in a similar fashion to the lines on the iQ minicar concept. These are said to reduce drag while at the same time improve stability, revealed Hirai.
Of course there will still be hybrids based on regular models but these will have unique grilles, bumpers or headlights to differentiate them, the Chief designer explained.
Hybrid technology is expensive. To create a different design variant of the same car (Camry, Highlander, etc), it is going to add further cost.
Hopefully, there is a happy medium, where consumers are willing to pay a little extra for the aknowledgement...
Hopefully, there is a happy medium, where consumers are willing to pay a little extra for the aknowledgement...
I don't think you are in the minority. Those people that like the unique "I'm a Hybrid look" probably already bought their hybrids. There are a lot of people out there that wouldn't mind a hybrid, but the cost is still a little high, and/or the real good hybrids like the Prius look to radically different. I'm with you, I rather have a normal looking hybrid like the Camry, Accord, Civic, RX400H, GS450H and such. Given the right price, I'd be willing to buy any one of them right now. I wouldn't buy a Prius or Honda Insight though. I'm one of those that don't really care about the "Green" image.
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Lexus Champion
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I don't really care lol. I don't mind the Prius (well duh cause I have one) and I don't mind a regular looking car either. I have times where I don't mind that I'm in a Prius, other times that I wish I was in a Camry Hybrid (usually the times when I get tailgated and cut off)
Lead Lap
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My thoughts exactly. The Camry is really kickin butt, just look at the failed Accord hybrid. I'd be more tempted own a Camry hybrid than a Prius, being that I think they look nice and they are faster. But alas I cannot afford either one.
Lexus Champion
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In BC, 1 in 4 Camrys sold is a Hybrid. I believe it's 1 in 10 across the country. I really do see a lot around my city (both privately owned and taxis)
Lexus Champion
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I don't think you are in the minority. Those people that like the unique "I'm a Hybrid look" probably already bought their hybrids. There are a lot of people out there that wouldn't mind a hybrid, but the cost is still a little high, and/or the real good hybrids like the Prius look to radically different. I'm with you, I rather have a normal looking hybrid like the Camry, Accord, Civic, RX400H, GS450H and such. Given the right price, I'd be willing to buy any one of them right now. I wouldn't buy a Prius or Honda Insight though. I'm one of those that don't really care about the "Green" image.
+1. I actually have both RXh and GSh and love the power of them. When people see my cars, they just say "nice car". Until they see the Hybrid badge on the GS. I have to tell people that the RX is a Hybrid because of the lack of noticeable features (round fogs and the 400h emblem). I often get asked about the gas mileage, but tell people the differences between Toyota hybrids and Lexus hybrids. Toyotas are made for fuel efficiency, Lexus are made for power. Personally, I'd rather have the normal looking car, but with more noticeable features that highlight the Hybrid.
Is the GS substantially different looking than the GSh?
There are differences in wheel design, emblems (it now has that blue "glow"), and sideskirt badging.
Lexus Champion
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Also for 2007, the "h" is blue. For 2008, they'll add that blue glow to the L emblem.
The GSh can be recognised by the sweet twin spoke alloys with the chrome spoke in between each "twin" spoke. A beautiful wheel design IMO. That's about it... well aside from the HYBRID emblems in the lower rear doors which are nearly impossible to see if the car's moving and the "h" in the back.