Prius cut-out

Did you spin the wheels? If the Prius's computer detects that the drive wheels are spinning it will reduce power until the wheels stabilise. A little yellow skidding icon will light up briefly on the dash also.

If you have Traction Control and accelerate hard through a patch of water or oil the result might be as you've described. It's aggravated by a turn.

Make it happen. If the "feel" is the same, that's it.

Ike

This phenomena, unique to cars equipped with traction control, is called SEDS (Sudden Engine Death Syndrome) and occurs most frequently on snow, ice or loose gravel. SEDS can be fatal when it occurs while merging into traffic or in cross traffic. The manual specifically warns against accelerating hard. Now you know why.

I have the regular 2008 Prius and I never experienced that situation. I suggest you take your car into the dealer for service and at least have them run diagnostics on it.

You should really pick up the owner's manual to your shiny new $28,000 toy.

Then you'd know what that flashing yellow light on the dash means.

Oh--but you never even noticed that, so you're not even peripherally paying attention to the dashboard.

Good luck with that shiny new $28,000 toy.

ALL Priuses have traction control.