Toyota’s hybrid gas/electric car, the Prius, will go on sale this month. With pricing starting at $20,415 including freight, standard equipment will include anti-lock brakes, all power options including mirrors, A/C and an AM/FM stereo sound system.
The Prius is powered by a 1.5-liter gas engine. The U.S. version will feature a smaller, lighter battery pack than its Japanese counterpart, with each of the 38 batteries in the U.S. version being only 3/4 of an inch thick, resulting in a 20 percent weight reduction.
The Prius has been available in Japan since late 1997 and has sold 30,000 units. Toyota’s goal in the U.S. is to sell or lease 1,000 units a month. |
