The Prius C, the little hatchback in Toyota's dedicated hybrid lineup that's sold
in Japan as the Aqua, and which is now being offered with more rugged styling
to appeal to customers more interested in crossovers than hatchbacks.
Pictured here with the Aqua nameplate under which
it's sold in Japan, the ruggedized Prius C features silver accents on the lower
parts of the front and rear bumper and black wheel arches to make it look more
like an SUV. Behind those cosmetic enhancements, it's still the same
vehicle, with a 1.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid powertrain good for all of 99
horsepower. Forget transfer cases or locking differentials: body cladding
aside, the hybrid still drives the front wheels through a
continuously variable transmission.
So far we're only seeing official information on the
JDM version, but Car and Driver reports the updated model will be priced the
same in base spec, receive a slight bump in other trims, and carry the same
fuel economy ratings. Some interior enhancements are in store as well.
The Prius C isn't the first Japanese hatchback
to pursue a more ruggedized look and a slice of the crossover action. The
Infiniti Q30, for example, is available with more rugged-looking trim and a
slightly higher ride height as the QX30, but is only marketed as the QX30 in
America (regardless of appearance).
