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Toyota rolls out new hybrid in Japan

The Associated Press

Sai, which means "talent" and "color," will be sold only in Japan, starting Dec.7, targeting monthly sales of 3,000 vehicles. No global sales plans have been set, the world's biggest automaker said Tuesday.

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By YURI KAGEYAMA

The Associated Press

Published: October 21, 2009

Updated: 10/21/2009 12:25 am

TOKYO - Toyota Motor Corp. has unveiled a more expensive and bigger hybrid-only model than its hit Prius, underlining the Japanese automaker's ambitions to make green technology more widespread.

The Sai sedan is Toyota's second hybrid-only model after the Prius. Toyota offers hybrid versions of other car models.

Sai, which means "talent" and "color," will be sold only in Japan, starting Dec.7, targeting monthly sales of 3,000 vehicles. No global sales plans have been set, the world's biggest automaker said Tuesday.

The Sai gets 54 miles per gallon, double the mileage of a comparable regular gas-engine model, according to Toyota.

The Prius gets about 90 miles per gallon under Japanese mileage-test conditions. The Sai is promising 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway in the United States.

The Sai comes with a 2.4-liter engine - compared with the 1.8-liter Prius - is roomier and has fancier features such as an interior made from plastic that uses plant-derived materials.

It also is more expensive, starting at $37,500. The third-generation Prius, which went on sale this year, starts at just over $22,000 in the United States.

The Sai looks rather sedate compared with the Prius with its more circular styling.

The Prius is the world leader in gas-electric hybrid sales, selling more than 1.4 million vehicles since its debut a decade ago.

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