new 2012 Prius v wagon and a tiny city car concept
At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Toyota is asking "What's the plural of Prius?"
At last year's Detroit Auto Show, Toyota Motor Co. (TOYOF) announced it would create an entire line-up of vehicles sharing the Prius name. The new wagon-like Prius, called the Prius V -- that's the letter V for "versatility," Toyota says, not the Roman numeral five -- has a more spacious interior than the familiar Prius hatchback. The Prius V offers 50% more interior space, according to Toyota.
Toyota also introduced a concept version of a smaller Prius--The Prius C concept car is a basically a compact version of the Prius on the road today. This mini-Prius will have the best fuel economy of any non-plug-in hybrid car, Toyota said.
Toyota's Prius hybrid lineup expands dramatically with the new 2012 Prius v wagon and a tiny city car concept called the "c." On sale in the U.S. for a decade, the Toyota Prius hybrid is about to become an entire range of vehicles. Toyota calls this an expansion of the Prius family. Toyota says the Prius v wagon offers 50 percent more interior room than the current hatchback.
Powering the Prius v is a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, mated to Toyota's vaunted electric hybrid system. The Prius v driver will be able to choose among four driving modes: Normal, EV (Electric), ECO (Economy), and PWR (Power). The Toyota Prius v is also equipped with the Entune multimedia system, allowing wireless upgradeable navigation, entertainment and information services. A Prius for the City
Along with the Prius v, Toyota is using the Detroit Auto Show to introduce what could be the smallest member of the Prius family. Toyota promises the Prius c will continue to push toward "outstanding" fuel efficiency, albeit in a new compact package. Toyota Prius Plug-In
the Toyota Prius is already the most fuel-efficient hybrid on the market, and in the coming months, Toyota hopes to create a diverse lineup with the addition of the Prius V and Prius C.
“Toyota unveiled long-expected additions of a wagon and plug-in to the Prius line, but added this: a smaller Prius C concept, for a production model Toyota says will top fuel economy rankings when it goes on sale next year,” Jalopnik reports. “The production model of the Prius C would employ Toyota’s existing Hybrid Synergy Drive system,” the New York Times explains. The Prius C should be available in the United States in 2012.
Larger in size, the Prius V’s fuel economy ratings are lower than the 2011 Prius’s. Early in 2012 Toyota will add the Prius Plug-in Hybrid and a smaller Prius.”
