Report: Toyota Prius minivan coming in 2011

Nice concept, 2011 (if true) seems like an accelerated launch date for something like this, let's hope that Toyota is learning a little from what's going on right now and not just forcing something through in a attempt to draw attention to them elsewhere....We've been hearing the rumors for over a year, and it's now looking increasingly likely that Toyota is getting ready to launch a new hybrid minivan that will wear the Prius nameplate. If true, this would be the first completely new vehicle added to the Prius stable, where it would join the well-known hatchback sometime in 2011.

According to Reuters (which is citing the Japanese Nikkei), this new Prius hybrid minivan may be the first such vehicle from Toyota equipped with an in-house developed lithium ion battery pack. The three-row vehicle, which we can only presume would also have sliding doors, would potentially seat up to seven people, expanding Toyota's hybrid technology further into the family-use market.

No other details are available other than the notion that Toyota would like to keep the price close to that of standard minivans currently on the market. Stay tuned for more as we hear it.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/16/report-toyota-prius-minivan-coming-in-2011/

To put it mildly, sales of the Honda Accord Hybrid never quite set the world on fire. Regardless, Japan's second largest automaker is reportedly hard at work developing its proprietary Integrated Motor Assist hybrid platform so that it can once again be used to power larger vehicles like the Accord.

To make it all work out, Honda is adding an extra electric motor to the mix for a total of two, both of which will be more powerful than the single pancake motor used in the current Insight and Civic Hybrid. Also on the menu is a lithium ion battery pack to replace the current nickel metal hydride unit, with added capacity to allow for electric-only operation.

Word on the street (or at least the Nikkei daily newspaper in Japan) is that Honda might place this next-gen hybrid powertrain in a minivan sometime in 2011 or so. Before that, though, we can look forward to the launch of Honda's sporty CR-Z hybrid hatchback. It's important to have your priorities straight, right?

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/27/report-honda-plans-a-return-to-larger-hybrids/

Tokyo 2009: Honda SkyDeck, the future of the Odyssey?

Unlike the CR-Z which is nothing more than a thinly veiled preview of an upcoming production model, the Honda Skydeck remains a pure design study at this point. While most automakers would provide a full list of specifications for a concept that is nothing more than a fiberglass buck, Honda isn't bothering with even that. The only thing the automaker says about this Tokyo Motor Show star is that it's a theoretical hybrid.

The SkyDeck is a six-seat MPV with some oddball portals and interesting interior fitments. The front doors swing up Lambo style, while the rear sliders actually pop out like normal doors and drop down as they slide back, ideal for jamming against the curb.

Once inside, the first two rows of seats are cantilever mounted off of the center tunnel and the second row can slide forward and down to stow underneath the fronts. All the seats consist of a mesh material stretched between a wooden frame.

One interesting styling note is the shovel scoop grille similar to the CR-Z coupe. Is this the look of Honda models to come? We'll be asking when we visit the design center on Friday.

Source;
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/honda-skydeck-concept-tokyo-2009-odyssey/

Japan: Honda plans EV prototype, 2011 Honda Minivan Hybrid?!?

This is an older concept of the Honda ASM Hybrid Minivan, it was rumoured to come to North America a few years back, but obviously was put on the back burner, could this idea be coming back to life?
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Honda is poised to make a cautious foray into development of EVs and may display a prototype model at the forthcoming Tokyo auto show. If a production model follows, initial availability is expected to be limited to just the domestic Japanese market and perhaps one export market and region, e.g. in the US.
Despite this tentative step into the EV sector, where domestic rivals Nissan, Toyota and Mitsubishi already have clear strategies, it is believed Honda will continue to dedicate the majority of powertrain technology R&D towards further development of gasoline-electric hybrids. The OEM retains scepticism concerning the performance and safety of EVs and the available infrastructure for recharging.

In a separate report, and in keeping with Honda’s current strategy, the OEM’s president, Takanobu Ito is reported in the Nikkei as saying the company plans to release a hybrid minivan around 2011. The executive is quoted as saying: "First of all, it is important to expand our line-up; we want to introduce a hybrid model to minivans, which continue to enjoy strong customer demand."

Source;
http://www.automotiveworld.com/news/powertrain/78401-japan-honda-plans-ev-prototype