I am curious. <br>With all the excess weight that the Prius has due to electric motor and battery, and with all the engineering and expense to make a fuel efficient car. <br>WHY did Toyota not use the plastic body panels like the Saturn, and some other cars, are using.<br> They have proven themselves to be good product and reduce the weight of the car, and eliminate minor dents and paint problems.<br>One would think that these new body panels are exactly what the Prius needs to off-set the extra weight of the Hybrid components.<br><br>This would be a good question for Priusman if he is still around.<br><br>Ludwig

Prius weight is offset by not having transmission, electric starter, alternator etc, and battery pack is relatively small.

I've often wondered why more manufacturers don't use plastic body panels, and not just for the Prius. There must be a reason since they seem to work so well on the Saturn. Perhaps Saturn has patents and is unwilling to license? Perhaps the "spaceframe" is required for the plastic and you need to redesign from the ground up, or it is actually heavier?<br><br>Burns, who will be sad to say goodbye to my Saturn when the Prius arrives

I believe I also read somewhere that the ICE is lighter than normal. Something about being able to use lighter materials because of how the engine operates.

I owned two Saturn's prior to my Prius. So far no knocks, dings, "knock on wood!"<br><br>Have had the Prius since 5/4 and am at 6400+ miles so close to the first servicing. Am still in love!<br><br>I feel as safe or more so in the Prius than in either Saturn even though it feels like I am higher up. Margaret Finney, Sacramento

The ICE is basically the same as that of an Echo. The Atkinson Cycle shouldn't affect the weight.