Prius Hearse Makes Your Last Road Trip a Green Ride
by Steve Levenstein
"Ashes to ashes, dust to dust"... the great circle of life is as green as it gets, so why not make your final road trip an environmentally friendly one?
That's the idea behind the upcoming Toyota Prius Hearse by Lequios. The Japanese hearse manufacturer has plenty of experience with modifying Toyota products and by basing their newest model on the popular hybrid, is simply responding to clients' requests for a more eco-friendly vehicle.
The Prius Hearse is only in the design phase at the moment but if the pictured interior photos of Lequios' other models are any indication, this is gonna be one high-class hybrid! Based on the third-generation Prius, the hearse version is extended 1930mm (77.2 inches) for a total length of 6400mm (256 inches, or 21.34 feet).
The extra length and weight does take a toll on the hybrid's vaunted fuel economy but it's still quite respectable: 20.9km/l or about 44 mpg. Compare that to the 89.4 mpg rating of the new 2010 Prius... but then, you won't be taking the Prius Hearse on grocery runs or date nights - though wouldn't that be cool? 
The estimated price of Lequios' upcoming Prius Hearse is 7,875,000 yen, or around $83,000 assuming you'll even be able to buy one here in the US of A. Just in case, though, I'm advising Larry David to start saving up those Seinfeld residual checks... his funeral is gonna be pret-ty, pret-ty good! (via Japan Probe, Response.jp and Yahoo Japan)
Steve Levenstein
J A P A N O R A M A
InventorSpot.com
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by Anonymous
I like it!
Ya know I came to this article thinking, bah, another joke of a modified vehicle, however, I think this thing oozes class and looks much better then a typical hearse.
There's also something appealing about doing it green, it's not like the last ride you take matters much in the grand scheme of things, but it just seems right.
I'm glad to see a modified car that serves a good purpose.
- RyanPark.me
by Anonymous
eliseville
Hearses may not put in many miles per occupant, But everybody dies, so funeral homes use them constantly and they do spend a lot of time in idle. The Prius technology is perfect for inner-city stop-and-go traffic, since it automatically turns off the gas-burning engine, and so it would save tons of gas per year for the owner. Who really wants to keep adding unnecessary CO2 when they're already dead and can't get anymore enjoyment anyway??
http://culturereleases.blogspot.com
by Anonymous
Uh...
Which magical Prius gets 89.4 MPG? The brand new third generation Prius straddles the 50 MPG in the US so if you've somehow discovered a way to squeeze nearly 90 MPG out of the Prius, or any modern car for that matter, I suggest you patent it.
by Anonymous
Really?...
I don't know car jargon but I do know a hybrid's battery comes from nickel mines so toxic NASA tests moon rovers on the dead zone surrounding plants. Which is then sent across Europe and Asia for processing before the finished battery is shipped back to the US. So let's not kid ourselves if this is supposed to be a "more eco-friendly vehicle."
by Anonymous
I deliver caskets in my prius all the time...
Its perfect, and the funeral homes get a kick out of it. Here's a picture of me loading: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1873599/how_do_you_fit_a_casket...
by Steve Levenstein
Dying green in Cincy
Very cool - wonder if the unusual use will void the warranty though. Regardless, call these guys if you happen to die in Cincinnati!
by Anonymous
silly
all you greenies are just weird
by Anonymous
This is almost disrespectful
This is almost disrespectful to the name hearse. A hearse is not supposed to get 39 miles to the gallon and i hope it never has to go up hill because it will never make it.
by Anonymous
That is one amazing looking
That is one amazing looking car!! I need to get one :)
-Computer Repair Irvine