p.s. how do you guys feel that 2nd TMC model with LED headlights will be Prius? :-).

I'll feel special lol. The only other ones are the LS600h L and the Audi A8. (not counting the newer Audis with the rows of LEDs as DRLs right?)

It'll also be awesome.

LEDs headlights just dont tickle me. Not that they're bad, but they aren't that spectacular either (as of right now). Perhaps maybe in a few years I'll grow to like them on a car.

The shots of the new Honda Insight show LED headlights, though I question if that's a feature that will actually carry over from concept to production as full LED headlights still add a HUGE amount of additional cost for the manufacturer (and thus consumer) and in the end 'only' conserve about 30-35% per lumen vs halogen.

I'm not sure how you have determined factually that the new Prius WILL have LEDs based on this shot?

It's not based on the shot... he has more than access to these photos

Can it be true?

Source: http://www.autoblog.com/2008/10/30/p...ferent-models/

Up to 80mpg I'm sure is "possible" but I'd be shocked if the EPA ratings are anything more than 10% improved over the current Prius, which isn't bad, but isn't anything remotely close to 80mpg either.

I'm interested what the 'upscale' 5 door Prius is referring to... would it actually have a better interior, paint, hardware, sound insulation, etc? Like the Lexus version of the Prius or something? Then again a Lexus Prius I'd expect to come nearly fully loaded by default compared to the Toyota model and start more like low 30s.

well lexus is already coming out with a prius of its own. HS250 which will have a 4 cyl engine. i expect it to be priced around the IS

My 2004 Prius got 48 MPG in the time I owned it 3.5 years. IMHO to get 80 MPG either bigger battery or Lithium's are going to be in the car. Would not surprise me with what I call lithium denial, not ready and other excuses.

I need an All Wheel Drive so I got a RX400h.

article is full of holes everywhere, Toyota themselves said 10-15% better mpg while having 50% more power in new Prius...

(so no 80 mpg, but rather around 55 mpg)

for people that dont visit priuschat, so far about very cool stuff, we know about LED headlights (same setup as in leaked RX450h), we know about lane assist/departure system which comes bundled with pre-crash, radar based cruise control (more advanced/newer system than in LS460), we know about HUD display (also coming to RX), and for more basic features lumbar support and height adjustable seats... It seems that digital speedometar is not just that, but is multi colored and has at least one LCD in it...

Maybe a lighter small model can get 80MPG but not the Prius.

Yeah I see the new Prius in the mid 50 MPG range. Now, a plug in Prius with Li-ion bats could prolly hit close to 80 MPG.

10% on the European rated Prius can bring it close to the 80 MPG

that's possible. look at the honda insight, my friend has it and if he drives carefully, he got over 80mpg. with aggressive driving (as if the car can really go...), he still get over 50mpg day in day out