Get ready for the Prius (prototype) invasion!
The long awaited Toyota plug-in Prius has finally arrived. Well actually just the prototype has, but it is still exciting news for Toyota fans across the world.
Toyota presented three different versions of the Prius hybrid vehicle at the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in San Jose.
Toyota plans on loaning 150 of the Prius prototypes to organizations across the country for the next 18 months to test the cars in many different categories. The results are expected to help Toyota make the final tune-ups to the Prius prototype before the vehicle will go on sale in 2012. The leadership group got the first three prototypes.
Mary Nickerson, the national manager for advanced technology vehicles at Toyota recently commented on the evaluation process, “The education and feedback we’ll receive will be invaluable to Toyota as we bring this vehicle to market.”
The president of the leadership group, Carl Guardino, will be one of the first people to drive the car. Although Guardino commutes to work on a bicycle, he will drive the Prius to all of his business meetings. In a recent interview, Guardino spoke in more detail of his future transportation plans. He plans to sell his Volvo on craigslist, drive the loaner Prius for the next 18 months and then buy a plug-in Prius when they go on sale in 2012.
Similar to the regular Prius, the plug-in still uses gasoline. However, the plug-in has a much more powerful battery pack that can be recharged at home or work. When fully charged, the car can drive solely on electricity for 13 miles before the gasoline motor is put to work.
In Chicago, Toyota Prius fans are already getting excited about the news of the plug-in Prius. The Prius market is an ever growing niche as environmental concerns continue to grow rapidly. The plug-in Prius is another great step towards a cleaner environment, while still providing a satisfying driving experience.
Toyota fans should also look out for great deals on a Chicago used Yaris. The used Toyota Yaris could be a great option for someone who needs a car now and doesn’t have the time to wait for the plug-in Prius.