I thought I read somewhere that the TCH is only going to have a 40 HP electric motor. If that is the case, will the car still have an EV-only mode, or will it be a "3/4 Hybrid" like the 2006 HCH?

The electric motor of the TCH is theoretically alot more powerful than 40 hp -- it's the battery that outputs 45 hp, whereas the Prius battery only outputs 28 hp. So in EV mode, where the battery is the sole source of power and the engine is generating none, the Prius is 28 hp and the TCH is 45. But the TCH is much heavier than the Prius and I think it has only a slightly larger battery pack, so its range and/or maximum EV-only speed is more limited than the Prius'. Still, with 61% more horsepower but just around a 22% weight increase, it should accelerate quicker in EV mode than the Prius does.

Count me as one of the very intrigued. I will be weighing the Prius versus the new Civic versus the Camry. The Camry is ideal since I can get it in leather (anyone else notice the irony of a hybrid in leather) and it is more mid-sized than the other vehicles. The fuel economy isn't great, I was hoping for at least 40mpg on a Toyota vehicle.

This would be my second vehicle purchase ever. My current Jeep Cherokee has treated me well for the last 12 years and I don't have a complaint in the world about it. However, times have changed and I am goign to be buying where my values and politics lie.

The TCH is going to clean house in sales. The new Camry is a good family car. Now that people are finally iguring out that fuel prices are only going to go higher, HSD in the Camry is going to make it that much more desireable.

No. It's no more ironic than a hybrid driver eating meat. No cows are killed specifically for their skin you know (unlike fur).

And I thought "Fine Corithian Leather" was a synthetic made from petroleum.

Having a fair amount of real saddle time, leather never appealed to me . . . except in 'cat woman' jumpers lady actresses wore.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

Leather holds no appeal for me either, but not because of where it comes from. I just find it slippery, hot when it's hot, cold when it's cold, and very smelly. Not to mention it's more expensive than fabric, which is better in every way in my opinion.

Well, Honda, the bar has been raised once again.

What are you going to do? Are you going to simply sit and see marketshare slid away, or are you going to rise up to the challenge?

Me thinks they will follow the second choice.

Check this quote out fellas:


http://www.wired.com/news/technology...?tw=wn_index_1

We already know what the price is: $25900 + $580 delivery, or $26480 total. The price is right there on Toyota.com.