TOKYO — The Toyota Sai, a sister model to the Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan, will be formally unveiled at the upcoming 2009 Tokyo Auto Show and will go on sale later this month in the Japan domestic market.
The Sai, like the Prius, is a dedicated hybrid gas-electric vehicle. Unlike the hatchback Prius, however, the Sai is a more traditional three-box sedan that is similar in profile to the HS 250h.
Toyota has not announced U.S. plans for the Sai, but it is likely the sedan could be marketed in North America under the Prius name.
Because it shares mechanical underpinnings with the HS 250h, the Sai is expected to get a 147-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, which is significantly larger and more powerful than the 98-hp 1.8-liter unit in the Prius.
Inside Line says: Look for a price of around $25,000 on a potential U.S. version of the Sai. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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