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Want one of these styles for your Prius Plug-in? Click here to select and order your own Signature Series decal. Be sure to nab one quick, since these custom designs are limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

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*Decal installation not included, and not provided by dealers. Please arrange application through a local third-party professional, as decal is not covered by warranty.

As part of the celebration, Prius owners got to create a complimentary Prius Goes Platinum badge. Prius people were quick to celebrate and nab thousands of custom-molded badges and stickers designed to be one of a kind based on mileage, number of Prius hybrids owned, and CO2 emissions prevented.

Thank you to everybody who participated. Take a look at the gallery above to see some of the many badges designed to represent every unique Prius and driver partnership.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid is an innovative vehicle that allows people to do the things they love to do, without having to refuel as often.

 It has inspired the Charged Life project – opening windows into the work and lives of culturally relevant people and businesses from interesting fields, such as art, music, technology, film and product design. Each Charged Life subject is provided with a Prius Plug-in for the duration of a short documentary, which showcases the amazing, innovative things they do.



The video above focuses on Deeplocal, a Pittsburgh-based collective of engineers, designers and innovators who “create experiences that bridge the online and physical worlds.” In their Charged Life video, they do just that by introducing devices into Los Angeles that allow the sounds of the city to be live-sampled. That information is channeled into an analog mixer that Boom Bip uses to create a piece of music from the living, breathing city. 

You can download Boom Bip’s full, unedited piece, “In The Body Of,” below, and be sure to scroll down for the second video. 



Download Track

The second installation of Charged Life focuses on LA Guerilla Gardening. Mr. Stamen and Roly Poly, pseudonyms of two Los Angeles natives who practice urban beautification with guerilla tactics, go out on a few “missions” while describing their rogue gardening practices.

And the idea of Charged Life has inspired a third video, this on by acclaimed filmmaker, Lucy Walker. Check out the film below as she investigates the journey her trash makes from the bin outside her Venice, California bungalow to the landfill.

Parlee Cycles is building a bike that encapsulates the forward-thinking design ideas of the Toyota Prius. Join us for updates from blogger John Watson of ProllyisnotProbably.com as he documents the process from day one.

There is a choice to be made every time something is built. It can either be done the way that is tried-and-true, or you can venture into the unknown in hopes of making that something better than it was before. This is the path taken by the Toyota Prius and its designers. Building upon the familiar foundations of a car, the Prius is an optimized version of something we were already familiar with. By blending cutting-edge technology with simple, sustainable materials, the Prius became a benchmark of efficiency, a testament to those who innovated and dared to make it so, and the cornerstone of a philosophy that is changing the way we drive today. Knowing that this philosophy isn’t only applicable to cars, Toyota and Saatchi LA set out on yet another venture into the unknown by asking: What if the Prius were a bicycle?

In search of an answer, Toyota and Saatchi enlisted the help of renowned bike builder Parlee Cycles and the masterminds of Deeplocal to build the Prius X Parlee (PXP) concept bicycle over the course of ten weeks. Imbued with the spirit of Prius, this aero-road bike is also a purpose-built machine that blends simplicity with the complex to become a better, more efficient version of something that already exists.

Each innovation, feature and process used in and on the PXP was inspired by the Prius and serves to make it more efficient while emphasizing ease of use. Its monocoque carbon-fiber frame keeps the PXP lightweight while increasing its durability and rideability. Its brakes were molded into the fork and bottom bracket to increase aerodynamics, along with countless other tweaks that were tested and validated in the wind tunnels at MIT. A built-in dock for a smartphone enables riders to view information about their speed, cadence and heart rate.

All of these features and more come together to produce a bike akin to the Prius. But to truly encapsulate what the Prius stands for, more forward thinking was applied. Designed by Deeplocal, a neurotransmitter-packed helmet and interface empowers the PXP’s rider to shift gears, as if by magic, just by thinking about it.

A successful result of a collaborative exploration, the PXP proves that there is always room for improvement. Like the car it was inspired by, it is able to go farther for longer and serves as a demonstration of what is possible when we look to the future and improve upon what we have already accomplished to get there.

Innovation. It defines what is possible, it is our potential, and it promises a better and brighter future. It’s what is changing the way we drive, and it’s what made the Toyota Prius what it is today. But striving to innovate more efficient and sustainable means of transportation is a goal that we believe should reach beyond the four-wheeled vessels we have become so accustomed to. So we asked ourselves:
What if the Prius were a bicycle?

Ten weeks later, the fruit of a collaborative build between Parlee Cycles and Deeplocal has answered our question. From the monocoque carbon-fiber frame to the first-ever brainwave operated shifter, the PXP concept bike is a purpose-built machine that blends simplicity with the complex to become a better, more efficient version of itself.

This project has been an incredible journey that leads into another. Imbued with the spirit of Prius, the PXP now has the potential to affect the future of cycling and will tour the country to demonstrate the power of asking: What if?

Imagine yourself shifting into a lower gear on your bike. Now imagine that imagining yourself shifting could actually shift your bike. Confused? Don’t be.

Since our last update, the engineering masterminds of Deeplocal have devised a system that lets riders shift the PXP’s gears without using a single one of their appendages. Imbued with the sort of forward thinking that went into the design of Prius, the system lets riders command an electronic shifter with their own brain waves captured by a helmet stuffed with neurotransmitters.

See how the PXP prototype gives you the power of pseudo-telekenesis at ProllyIsNotProbably.com

Learning through doing. That’s what we’ve been doing with the PXP. It’s fascinating to see how the early designs inform the final form that is quickly taking shape.

This week, John Prolly is releasing the first looks of the entire prototype in the wind tunnel and Parlee’s workshop. Now that it’s been measured for efficiency, the prototype will be reworked to make the final ride fantastically advanced, just as the Prius itself is in a constant state of rebirth, being molded, rethought, and revised over and over again, always striving to create the ideal car of the future.

See the PXP prototype in its full form for the first time at ProllyisnotProbably.com

This week is all about concept meeting reality. The team travels to Massachusetts to witness the PXP build at Parlee Cycles. 

Throughout this project, it has been a priority to not simply build a “concept bike.”  We wanted to push the boundaries of design and technology, but not to a point where they’re no longer applicable in the real world. The advancements made with the PXP are ahead of their time, but not fictional. 

The 3rd Gen Prius grew in size from its predecessor but actually became more aerodynamic, and thus improved its MPG rating. In our pursuit to mirror those Prius design efficiencies, we’ve tested the PXP’s aerodynamic properties in a wind tunnel. 

Looking for the most streamlined ride, the team takes notes of problem spots and optimizes the final product. 

Read as John Watson visits the Parlee workshop and watches the aerodynamic test session at 
ProllyIsNotProbably.com

Technology: It’s at the core of the Prius identity. This week, the team visits Pittsburgh’s Deeplocal to see how this reverence for technology is being translated to the PXP.

A shop visit reveals telling photos of what looks to be the next generation of bicycle drivetrain technology. One could draw connection to the innovation behind Hybrid Synergy Drive®, the revolutionary drivetrain technology Prius introduced over ten years ago. It was that kind of radical thinking that changed the way people drive cars and proved that there’s always a better way. We’re seeing that same philosophy emerge in the PXP.

Dig into this week’s post to see the beginnings of technological integration into the PXP at ProllyIsNotProbably.com

The build is upon us.
John Watson of ProllyIsNotProbably.com travels to Parlee’s workshop to see the bike mold, the laid carbon fiber and the frame beginning to take its final form.

This concept bike, now with official name of “PXP” is being crafted for a specific purpose. It’s constructed to embody the efficiency that defines the Prius. With its monocoque carbon-fiber body, the bike remains light and stiff while providing a comfortable ride. These are the defining characteristics of an efficient aero-road bike.

The bike shows the same minute eye for detail as the Prius. Constantly sculpting the design to maximize efficiency of the 2010 Prius added 10 centimeters to its length and a mere 2.5 centimeters to its width. This seemingly trivial revision actually reduced the car’s overall wind resistance and drag coefficient, adding more miles per gallon.

Stay tuned at ProllyIsNotProbably.com to see the many as-yet-unrevealed innovations to be added to this concept bike.

Carbon fiber has become one of the choice materials in bicycle design, but it wasn’t always that way. This week, John Watson visits the Parlee workshop, where Bob Parlee became one of the first builders to push boundaries with carbon bike frames.

The Prius was designed for maximum efficiency, creating a vehicle more aerodynamic than a Lamborghini. Those same forward-thinking ideas are manifesting themselves into the bike’s unique shape. But shape is not enough. In order to mirror that efficiency, carbon fiber is being used to minimize weight. While carbon fiber may not be the most recyclable material, the Prius high standards of conservation are being upheld: Parlee minimizes material waste by reusing their carbon-fiber scraps for everything from cable stays to harnesses.

Learn more about John’s shop visit and how this project bike is taking shape.

As we enter week three, Parlee begins to move from hypothetical sketches to shaping physical materials. John Watson is there to highlight the techniques Parlee employs to bring this concept bike to life. Get a candid look inside Parlee’s process as John documents the transformation of raw materials into this concept cycle.

The concept bike inspired by Prius is in full swing.

Parlee has been honing in on designs and materials that will ultimately define this bike. Drawing from the car’s performance and drivability, the team has arrived at what they call an “aero road bike.” It combines the aggressive geometry of a time-trial bicycle and the accessibility of a road bike that is designed for both performance and distance. Early sketches allude to a bold new look but also focus on the minute details that demonstrate the bike’s desire to perform at the top of its class.

John Watson dives into the build in this week’s blog post, colored with photos from the Parlee workshop.

We’ve called on one of the most respected names in cycling to help build a bicycle around Prius principles. Boston-based Parlee is applying their renowned craftsmanship and eye for design to the construction of this ultra-efficient bicycle. John Watson, of renowned cycling blog ProllyisnotProbably.com, will be covering the build on his site, reporting on progress as well as showcasing imagery from behind the scenes.

Check out John’s first blog entry to learn more about the project from his perspective and what you can plan on seeing down the road. We’ll be linking to his articles throughout the process, eventually revealing the final product here.

The crowds have all gone home. The event space has been expertly squeegeed.

But the record-setting has just begun!

Visit URDB.org/PriusRecords right this very minute to get your record-breaking on. All of the records set in our two-day live event have been or are being posted to the site, and are ripe for you to beat.

So take action, record setter, Prius Records lives on!

Most Popular Prius Records:

Most “Are We There Yet?”/”No” Exchanges In One Minute In A Toyota Prius

Fastest Time For Five People To Each Sit In All Five Seats Of A Toyota Prius

Fastest Time To Walk Around A Toyota Prius On Hands

Fastest Time To Walk Around A Toyota Prius On Hands

Most Pairs Of Sunglasses Worn At Once In A Prius

Largest Game Of Tug-Of-War Through A Prius

Records
Set:

2

0

6

View all Prius Records at URDB.org/Prius >>

During this PlayStation community challenge, people guided Sackboy through a custom-made level designed by the geniuses at Little Big Planet 2 and inspired by the Toyota Prius. Players gathered objects and elements, like windmills, trees and even the 3rd generation Prius, then reused the items to design their own unique levels for a chance to win a Sony Bravia 3D HDTV and other prizes.

By the end of the contest, nearly 900 levels had been played over 50,000 times! Little Big Prius proved that this is one of the most creative gaming communities around and full of imagination. To play “Eco Adventure” or any of the other contest levels for yourself, visit the Little Big Planet 2 PlayStation community and text search for “Prius.”

We’ll choose a featured submission each week until the contest closes on March 29th. At that point, a winner will be selected from all submissions and will be featured in a multipage spread in “Beautiful/Decay”’s June print edition. Other selected artworks from the contest will be featured in this issue as well.

Back in 2000, when Toyota engineers first put pen to paper, they envisioned a better world. The result of their innovative imaginations was the Toyota Prius. And it’s helped to save an estimated 881,079,756.18 gallons of gas in the U.S. since then.*

Their dreams gave way to real global change. This contest is born from that idea.

We all have notions of our perfect world – these could be physical, sonic or emotional notions. Any way you sense it could be the key to unlocking it. So show us that perfect future – however you do it best.

Even though we view the contest as completely open-ended, our first featured artist and “Beautiful/Decay”’s June cover artist Robin Williams (her work, “Tired Prince”, is pictured above) encapsulates the theme of future perfect, well, perfectly.

For more details on the contest and the official rules go to beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect.

*Based on average EPA-estimated combined mpg rating of Prius vs. all MY01–MY10 cars and 10,000 miles/year. fueleconomy.gov. Actual mileage will vary.

Alex Duque’s FUTURE/PERFECT is a cluttered wonderland titled “Diamond City”. In this world, gem-covered moss oozes over buildings and household objects – like a snapshot of litter being reclaimed by nature.

What’s your vision of the future? Show us and view the gallery at beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect.

With Karl Hoffman’s FUTURE/PERFECT submission “Trust the Future,” we were inspired by both the piece and its optimistic message. At first glance, wooden rods, branches, letters and beams seem to climb perilously to the ceiling from a chaotic foundation. Look again, and you’ll notice the incredible care and ordered thinking that has gone into the sculpture. It’s the physical embodiment of many parts working together to make a beautifully balanced whole – and a message we can get behind.

What’s your vision of the future? Show us and view the gallery at http://beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect

Chuck U’s FUTURE/PERFECT submission combines many things we love: vertical farming, astronauts and earthworms. “Dr. Vanlandingham’s Vertical Worm Farm” seems to tell the story of a driven entrepreneur; one who has not only found a sustainable way to do business but also a means of growing gigantic earthworms. Whoever this Dr. Vanlandingham is, we believe he has the right idea.

What’s your vision of the future? Show us and view the gallery at http://beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect

This week’s FUTURE/PERFECT submission comes from Nicolas Nadeau. The painting ”HeavenSent” portrays a jumble of multicolored shrubs climbing a looming modernist building. Somehow, the structure’s monochromatic hard edges blend with the brilliant organic haze, as if the architecture is growing from the natural world. Whatever our future looks like, it seems nature will always balance it out.

There’s just one week left to enter the FUTURE/PERFECT art contest. Show us your vision of the future and view the gallery at http://beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect

We’ve received some amazing FUTURE/PERFECT submissions in the past few weeks. In our final featured work, we get a peek into Jennifer Davis’ vision. “Pair” portrays a whimsical world where fuzzy-clothed creatures hold up tree branches that wave in the wind. It’s a world where everything is interconnected and revolves around the sun. And in a way, it’s a world not so different from our own.

Thanks to all the artists who’ve contributed to FUTURE/PERFECT. We’ve received hundreds of submissions and will announce the winner April 15. View the gallery at http://beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect

We were lucky enough to have hundreds of amazing submissions to go through over the past seven weeks. And based on what we saw, the future is quite bright. We could only choose one winner, and we’re very pleased with our selection.

Corey Thompson’s work is fun and loose and constantly evolving. We love his sense of humor and upbeat take on the world. His new project, “The Super Daily Doodle,” features a new work every single day. What better way to look toward the future than to create a new one every day?

Thanks to all the talented artists who’ve submitted. Everyone’s future benefits from your creations. To see all the submissions, be sure to take a look at the gallery at http://beautifuldecay.com/futureperfect.

Rather than simply apply an answer ourselves, we extended the decision to the people. We got the word out fast and heavy, making the vote as accessible as possible. A sing-a-long video that summoned the silly spirit of 1970’s educational cartoons posed the question to the Internet world: “What happens when one becomes more?” Banners asked the question and acted as virtual polling booths, taking users, votes and then displaying the leaderboard. More grounded polling stations existed on Facebook, Toyota.com and the social game Car Town. Like a true election, there were multiple places to cast a vote.

At the close of the final voting day, nearly 2 million people had cast their votes. And what had the public chosen to call the Prius when it becomes more? Why, Prii, of course!

In an effort to increase fuel economy while reducing greenhouse gas pollution, President Obama announced the National Fuel Efficiency Policy. This policy would require an average fuel economy standard of 35.5 mpg by 2016 and would potentially save 1.8 billion barrels of oil during the life of the program. The green movement didn’t stop here, as a popular magazine named Green Mountain College the “greenest college in the nation.” Great scores in efficiency, food, transportation and administration investments helped move them to the top.

2010 also ushered in one of the most fuel-efficient airplanes in history. The Boeing 787, or Dreamliner™, uses 20 percent less fuel than similar planes and made its first air show appearance at the Farnborough Airshow in Hampshire, England. The 787 proved to the public that it’s possible to go farther on less fuel while achieving the speeds of today’s fastest wide-body jets.

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Of course, a vehicle this unique and exciting needed a launch just as big. To help get the word out about the 3rd generation Prius, huge flower beds depicting scenes of harmony and nature, called “living pixels,” were planted alongside California highways. Prius was also featured in The Sims 3, one of the most-played games on the planet. If a Sims character drove a Prius, he or she was more likely to be friendly, approachable and intelligent.

On September 16, the highly anticipated Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) was officially unveiled before the press and hundreds of fans at the Frankfurt Auto Show. This evolved hybrid is scheduled to hit the roads in 2012 and can be recharged using any common household electrical outlet.

*2009 EPA-estimated mileage. Actual mileage will vary. To learn more, visit the Department of Energy’s and EPA’s fuel economy Web site.

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