.
Toyota Sienna Hybrid
When Japan introduces the Toyota Sienna Hybrid in US, it will be the first hybrid minivan to be offered to the North American market. Projection is sometime in 2007, however nothing has yet been confirmed. This vehicle will be a larger version of the current Toyota Estima Hybrid manufactured and sold in Japan since 2001.
The introduction of the hybrid minivan will give the consumer another vehicle type to choose from particularly for those that need the extra passenger or storage capacity. Where the Estima Hybridhas a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine, the Sienna Hybrid engine size will likely be closer to the 3.3 liter Toyota Highlander Hybrid or the 3.3 liter Lexus 400h Hybrid giving this minivan the expected engine performance and one that offers the hybrid's promise of better fuel economy.
Toyota is the front-runner in the hybrid technology market with the Toyota Prius being available in US since 2000 and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid in 2005, with the Toyota Camry and Lexus 400h Hybrid following a year later.
One concern with releasing the Sienna hybrid version is the direct competition with the already best selling gas based Sienna.
Pricing
No price estimates have yet been released.
Photos
External Links
http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sienna-minivan-hybrid.html http://www.hybridcenter.org/hybrid-timeline.html
