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We wish we were making it up, but we're not: the British Army has put in an order for 50 Toyota Priuses as part of an Armed Forces drive to cut carbon monoxide emissions.
Maybe they're misunderstanding Toyota's reputation for ‘bulletproof build quality'. Not actual bullets, guys.
In fairness, the Priuses won't be deployed on the front line in Afghanistan. Instead, they'll be used for non-operational purposes in the British Isles. The army intends to reduce average emissions of its 3,000-strong ‘white fleet' to under 130g/km of CO2.
Still, we can't help thinking they could've bought British at least. What's wrong with a nice, er, Aston V12 Vantage, guys? Or a Caterham R500? Where's your patriotism?
If you're really, really set on a Toyota, can we humbly recommend the Hilux? It'd save you a fair bit on those flimsy ‘tank' contraptions...
Toyota’s green beret?
British Army orders 50 Priuses. Taliban ‘not all that worried, actually’
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What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
AshHorne commented on this article
at 02:33 pm on 12 May 2009
Land Rover has a real opportunity here. Land Rover Hybrid Engine = win? Because I can guarantee there won't be a single person in the armed forces happy about driving around in a Prius instead of a Jeep or a Defender...
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AlKim commented on this article
at 03:46 pm on 12 May 2009
They could've just bough V6 diesel Jaguars. As Jeremy demonstrated, it's the second most fuel efficient car in the world.
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T.W. commented on this article
at 03:52 pm on 12 May 2009
Why not go for a BMW? I know it's not British, but TG already proved its more fuel efficient than the Toyota. I'd also like to add the Hilux is a good idea incase there is severe flooding as we had last year, Toybota anyone?
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Tom90 commented on this article
at 06:51 pm on 12 May 2009
Forget that Jaguar XF how to arrive in british style
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Mikeado commented on this article
at 10:10 pm on 12 May 2009
NO NO NO NO!! The Prius IS NOT GREEN!! It's just a smug hybrid, the face of all naiive, two-faced, expensive, slow, I'm-green-on-the-face-of-it-but-actually-really-dirty snotboxes! I hate it so much! You could power it purely with the light shining out it's ( usually it's owner's) arse! There are better, greener cars out there, yet everyone defaults to a Bloody Prius. Is it too late to buy Mini Es with solar-panelled roofs for them instead? (even) That would be greener, and Minis are built in Oxford, arguably the British-est place in GB.
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