TORRANCE, California — Toyota said a new dedicated hybrid concept vehicle will make its world debut next month at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Japanese automaker gave no further details.
Speculation is that the concept will be a small car, possibly based on the tiny Toyota iQ. A production version could wear the Prius badge as a sub-brand similar to Scion.
Earlier in Tokyo, Toyota confirmed its plans to begin selling a plug-in version of the Prius by 2011.
Inside Line says: If Toyota is, in fact, working on an iQ-size hybrid, it begs the question: Will Aston Martin get a version of that one, too? — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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firstclass says:
12:31 PM, 12/15/2009
Paul Lienert ( Journalist of this article) may be on to somthing?
As strange and offensive as it sounds, Aston Martin is indeed working on an iQ of its own, officially dubbed the Cygnet. They released a photo of the car being mocked up last June I believe. It's basically a Toyota IQ with Aston Martin sheet metal wrapped around it and a luxurious Aston interior. If the car ever sees production I'm positive it will kill Aston Martins reputation and the souls of all those that drive it.
I've fought with Paul's sarcasm before, mainly because I think he likes to provoke his readers. But sadly his Sarcasm has its merit this time. I hope Aston Martin doesn't go through with what I can only describe as "automotive suicide". This hybrid version better not even be on Actins radar.