Is the Toyota Prius about to get a big brother? According to the June 24 edition of Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Japan's leading business daily, the hybrid trailblazer is planning a new dedicated hybrid-only model for launch in 2009.
While Toyota sells seven models that use hybrid technology, the Prius (now in its 10th year) is the only one that's offered exclusively as a hybrid. Others, such as the Camry Hybrid, have gas-electric options available at a premium as well as straight gasoline-only models. The new model, which the paper doesn't name, would give Toyota a second dedicated hybrid model.
The details in the report are scant, but the Nikkei claims the new hybrid will offer better riding quality due to its larger size and engine displacement of 2 to 3 liters. The Prius uses a 1.5-liter engine.
