August 25, 2008
Lexus to Debut Prius Spinoff at Detroit Auto Show
TORRANCE, CA – Lexus will
launch a small Prius-based hybrid hatch at next January’s Detroit
motorshow, Autocar has learned from sources in Japan. The new model is known
internally as SAI but will be renamed before it goes on sale. It will be based
on the next generation Prius, also being shown for the first time in Detroit. The Lexus though will
be a plusher, more comfort-orientated model with unique and sleeker styling.
According
to company sources, it will bear some similarities to Toyota’s
Concept X shown at the Geneva motor show last March.