Consumer Reports may have criticized the Toyota Prius C but it can’t be denied that it has the best fuel economy average in the Toyota lineup. It’s rumored that Lexus will create a small hybrid based on the diminutive car. Paultan, an automotive news publication from Malaysia, said that the little Lexus would feature the same 1.5 liter Synergy Drive, the hybrid drivetrain in the Prius c. The Malaysian news source refers to this car as the AS150. Notably, the letter “h” is used in all of the Lexus hybrids. This car would be positioned under the CT200h which is based on the Prius. Toyota has experienced failures with badge-engineered hybrids before such as the HS250h, which has been discontinued. In addition, the AS150t will be using a 1.2 liter, direct-injection turbo engine. There’s no confirmation yet but there’s high potential, considering the success of the CT200h and the increasing sales of the Lexus in Europe.
Rumor: Lexus to build a small hybrid based on Toyota Prius C
by Andrew Christian, Email, 01 Aug, 2012
