For the same size wheel (looks like an 18" in this case maybe?), the aluminum wheel is probably about 10lbs lighter so it is the more efficient option. 

The range hit won’t be that bad in anything but the most extreme circumstance. Most people who tow won’t tow the full 10k pounds.

the Prius is awesome its basically full/mid sized interior with a compact exterior and it is very lightweight for it’s size. 2012 horsepower would be a hoot especially getting 40+ mpgs 

I think this is the spec every Jalop commenter wants (Not me, I want the fancy one). I didn’t see it in the article, but will this spec be available to the public?

Were I in the market, this is absolutely the version I’d be interested in.

No kidding, fun reliable hatchback? I'd even this wrap (or at least the red/orange stripes).

Yea a gazzo Prius would get no objections from me either. As fun as a GTi and Si while still getting 40-50mpg? Winner winner chicken dinner.

To give you an example, living in the heart of the Midwest in Iowa the radio station that reigns supreme is 1040 WHO. Not for cooky reasons like the ones that previous comments suggest. No, its because of The Big Show. A show dedicated to ag-related talk in the middle of the day that features latest trends, prices,…

The examples on the Silverado and Ram are specifically really, really bad.

WRONG!

Honestly, when you consider that the Prius has one of the most aerodynamic bodies of any production car, a performance version isn’t the craziest idea. The biggest hurdle would just be the general public’s inability to wrap their head around it.

yeah but how are you supposed to put a foam ball on a shark fin? or a little flag? and go ahead and tell me how im supposed to replace a sharksfin with a 50 cal bullet antenna to let people know my fondness for bullets and crappy reception?

Rural AM radio? Yes, many things. Mostly the fact that it’s a bunch of ill-informed, angry, right-wing loons spouting conspiracy theories and other dangerous garbage.

They tend to get broken off.

In a fantasy world, a Prius with the RAV4 power train would be an interesting idea

It would be hilarious if they did. Everyone is screaming and yelling for a more powerful GT86 and for a hotter Corolla, Toyota ignores it all and builds a Performance Prius.

1st Gear: The world is going topsy-turvy when I actually support Ford and what it’s doing.

Toyota brought us the Prius, and Ford is bringing us the F150 EV,

Ford and Toyota are both taking a very measured approach to EVs. We haven’t been talking about there being lithium or other material shortages on the horizon that make the chip shortage look mild, but they’re there. Having ICE units to move without running afoul of optimistic projections is a great insurance policy.