Chances are, those in the Napa area have already heard of the upcoming Toyota Prius C. Jimmy Vasser Toyota, however, is speculating that most would say they aren't familiar with the Toyota Aqua. Well, if you fall under this category, you're wrong. You do in fact know about the Aqua. You just don't know you know about it...you know?

To clear the confusion which we've most likely created in your mind, Jimmy Vasser Toyota will let you in on a little secret. The Toyota Prius C and the Toyota Aqua are the same model! The clever Japanese automaker is simply releasing its new hybrid under the name "Aqua" in its home market and under the guise of "Prius C" in the U.S.

While we won't see the gas/electric fusion zipping around the streets of Napa quite yet, Toyota has already introduced the Aqua into Japan. As the automaker's first compact hybrid, we have to say it is doing quite well. Resting on a 102-inch wheelbase, the new Toyota model is equipped with a 72-horsepower, 1.5-liter gasoline engine as well as a 60-horsepower electric motor which pulls juice from a nickel-metal hydride battery. Standard for the Japan-market Aqua are antilock brakes, traction control, air-conditioning, vehicle stability control and heated seats.

At this point in time, Jimmy Vasser Toyota can't say when the U.S-version will join its Toyota Prius family here, but based on the Japan-model's fuel-economy rating, we're looking forward to the savings it will bring. More specifically, the Aqua gets around 35.4-km/L which means that the Prius C would offer up 54-mpg in America. To find out when the Toyota Prius C will arrive and to follow the progression of the Aqua, stay tuned to our Jimmy Vasser Toyota blog. In the meantime, feel free to contact us with questions regarding these or any other new Toyota models.