When Toyota released some shadow teaser images earlier this week, we noticed that some of the body panels had a sticker with the words “Hybrid Reborn”. At the time, we assumed the new model we were looking at was a revamped Prius, and today, the Japanese automaker confirmed our suspicions. In the new official preview, we can learn that the electrified model in question is the fifth-generation Prius – a classic hybrid.
Apart from knowing the identity of the model, we also know exactly when the all-new HEV will premiere on Wednesday, November 16 because Toyota said its debut is scheduled for 13:30 local time. That means Americans will see the car on Tuesday, November 15 at 11:30 am ET while Europeans will find the car on Wednesday, November 16 at 4:30 GMT.
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When the case comes off, expect a swoopy shape to maximize efficiency thanks to a slim body with a low drag coefficient. If the headlights seem a little familiar, it’s because the Crown Sport compact crossover for the Japanese market that was previewed earlier this year has a similar LED signature on the front. The sloping roofline strongly suggests that the new Prius will be a hatchback/liftback and will likely be followed by other Prime hybrids with plug-in capabilities.
Likely arriving as a 2024 model year in the United States, the overhauled Prius should take efficiency to new heights. With Toyota experimenting with hydrogen-fueled combustion engines, there are wild rumors that a third version of the eco-car will arrive sometime in the middle of the decade with a hydrogen-fed ICE.
Let’s not forget that Toyota has announced that it will be putting solid-state batteries in hybrid production cars by 2025. However, it’s unclear which models will receive the very promising batteries. Given the importance of the Prius in the hybrid automotive scene, it makes sense for the popular HEV to be an early adopter of the technology.
