PRIUS C - 50MPG +

The Toyota Aqua went on sale on Monday in Japan, previewing the 2013 Toyota Prius C in the U.S.  Toyota said the Aqua has a fuel efficiency of 83 miles per gallon on Japan's JC08 test cycle and 94 mpg on the official 10-15 test cycle.  The Aqua is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 72 horsepower and an electric motor rated at 45 kW. The combined output is 98 hp providing 0-60 acceleration in less than 10.7 seconds according to Toyota. The motor is fed power from a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.
Toyota said it plans to sell 12,000 Aquas per month in Japan.
The Aqua name, which means water in Latin, is "meant to break the conventional image of hybrid vehicles, becoming something fluid and not constrained to any one shape or role — like free-flowing water," said Toyota in a statement. The Aqua targets such vehicles as the Honda Fit Hybrid in Toyota's home market and is designed to attract younger buyers seeking a less expensive hybrid.
The Toyota Prius C concept debuted last January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, showcasing a "value-oriented" hybrid bound for U.S. showrooms in 2012, said Toyota at the time. The production version is expected to be unveiled in two weeks at the 2012 Detroit show. Pricing has not been announced on the Prius C here.

In Japan,
Toyota's TRD performance division introduced sporty versions of the Aqua.   The Aqua TRD features an aero body kit with front spoiler, side skirts, roof spoiler and rear apron/diffuser. Hardware upgrades are limited to lowering springs, stiffer shocks, larger alloy wheels and chrome exhaust pipes.