After the grand success of latest generation Prius(Prius since 2009 is the highest selling car in Japanese market, beating the nearest rival Honda fit by vast margin, 1.4 times), toyota has launched the hatchback version of Prius which is called Toyota Aqua in Japanese market and Toyota Prius C in US market. It has become a hot cake in Japan market and has become 3rd top selling car after prius and Honda fit.
Powered with Hybrid Synergy Drive, it is a hybrid,Toyota estimates the fuel economy 35 km/L (82 mpg-US) (2.86 L/100km) on the official JC08 Japanese test cycles and 40 km/L (94 mpg-US) (2.5 L/100km) under the 10-15 test cycle.The Prius c is ranked by the EPA as the 2012 model year most fuel efficient compact car excluding plug-in electric vehicles. When electric-powered cars are considered, the Chevrolet Volt ranks on top of the compact car category, followed by the Prius c.The production version of the Aqua was unveiled in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The production Prius c was introduced in the U.S. at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Aqua was launched in Japan in December 2011 at a price of ¥1.69 million (US$21,700). Sales in several Asian markets began in January 2012.The Prius c was released in the U.S. and Canada in March 2012.
Below are the specs:
ENGINE: 1.5-Liter Aluminum DOHC 16-Valve with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), EV [1]/ECO modes;
POWER:[/SIZE]73 hp @ 4800 rpm (54 kW @ 4800 rpm), 82 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm (111 N•m @ 4000 rpm); 99 hybrid system net hp (74 kW)
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS: Overall height/width/length (Inches) 56.9/66.7/157.3
Below are the sales figure of Japanese market in February 2012, the twin sisters of prius family capture 2 of top 3 positions:
- Toyota Prius 35875
- Honda Fit 24973
3.Toyota Aqua 21951
US price starts at 19000 US dollars(1723000 Pakistani rupees)
And now some pictures of this gem by Toyota:
