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The demand for the Toyota Prius hybrid car is at such a level that Toyota is building 2 new plants for the production of the Prius hybrid. Last year Toyota produced 280 000 cars in the Prius hybrid range.¹

Edgier styling will cloak a body expected to grow an inch in width for better three-across seating as its length is bobbed by a similar amount. The Prius engine grows to 1.8 liters while economy improves and an extended-range battery with plug-in capability will be added as soon as the lithium-ion batteries needed to meet the packaging and performance targets are ready for prime time.²

This is a big setback for Toyota - everyone is counting on the next Prius to be knock your socks off amazing. If it falls short in any way, it will be a huge blow to Toyota.³

The displacement of the inline-4 will grow from 1.5 liters to 1.8, which will result in more power and torque. The gasoline engine will produce about 100 bhp and 105 lb.-ft.⁴

Apple and Nike have sold millions of those tiny little transmitters that fit inside running shoes, as well as the receivers that attach to iPod nanos. Casual runners and former couch potatoes enjoyed them (yours truly included), but more serious runners lamented the lack of certain features, most notably a heart monitor.⁵

The next generation Prius, due around calendar year 2009, will almost certainly use a plug-in system. The car may launch as a normal hybrid and later, once the lithium ion battery technology is ready, switch to plug-in capability.⁶