With Honda debuting the new Insight hybrid at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, it may have looked like Japan's number two car company was making off with all the green thunder. That is, until Toyota announced it was debuting not only the 2010 Prius, but also its Electric City Car. The Car Connection reports, "In the briefest of releases, Toyota said today that it's braving the Detroit winter to introduce not only its 2010 Prius, but also, a city car powered by electricity." They go on to speculate that the concept "probably will run about on nickel-metal hydride batteries, sport a range of about 40 miles per gallon, and likely arrive on the market before competitors like the Nissan EV but well after gas hits $1 a gallon again. Automobile Magazine adds, "Thanks to Toyota, Detroit is looking greener than usual this winter. In addition to this newly announced small electric car, Toyota is expected to reveal a new Lexus hybrid, which is likely to have the same powertrain as the next-generation Prius. The 2010 Toyota Prius is also scheduled to make its debut at the 2009 NAIAS."
Though the 2009 auto show is shaping up to be more subdued, automakers are still announcing cars they plan to debut in Detroit. Subaru announced plans to debut a new Legacy concept. The Detroit News reports that the concept "will highlight the direction of future Legacy sedan design beginning in 2010. It is expected to be more muscular, with distinctive front fascia and flared wheel arches." This coming year marks the 20th anniversary of the Legacy being sold in the U.S. Market.
After seeing a teaser shot of the upcoming concept, Motor Trend comments, "what we do see is promising. Then again, with the new Impreza, Subaru didn't exactly set the styling bar high. The Legacy concept's grille fits into the Subaru design language well, while vertical fog lights are nice touches we hope make it to the production Legacy."
Though you can't get an electric Toyota yet, you can check out other affordable small cars, as well as the current Subaru Legacy, with U.S. News Rankings and Reviews.
