RideLust

Today, Toyota released the first teaser image of the Toyota EV electric hybrid concept vehicle they plan on debuting at the Detroit auto show in January. Accompanied by an extremely brief press release that revealed literally nothing we didn’t already know, we are overcome with a dreaded suspicion that what was undoubtedly intended to be an edgy, mysterious inaugural photo is actually an omen of the incredibly boring, infuriatingly slow “big unveiling” that is to come. Fortunately, we do know that the Toyota Concept EV is not a variant of the already over-hyped 2010 Toyota Prius, but rather will be appearing alongside it in Toyota’s Detroit lineup. While some are forecasting the battery-powered Toyota EV to be a Chevy Volt competitor that will ultimately spell the demise of its mid-size segment sister, the Toyota Prius, others are predicting the Toyota Concept EV will be much smaller “city car”, possibly drawing design cues from the Toyota iQ.

PRESS RELEASE

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 22 — Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. will display a battery electric vehicle concept at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. This display marks the world debut of this concept vehicle.