Family is Prius priority

Hybrid Toyota gains two new family members, above and below current third-generation model
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Detroit's 2011 NAIAS motor show was the chosen venue for Toyota's unveiling of its maxi-hybrid, the Prius v.

With a wheelbase virtually identical to that of a Camry and a massive aft-of-rear-seat load capacity measuring no less than 971 litres, the extended Prius v (v for versatility, says Toyota) is claimed to offer 50 per cent greater cargo space than the smaller, current model.

Although the new car is based on the third-generation Prius platform, Toyota says it was designed from the ground up as an evolution of, rather than a stretched-wheelbase version of the current car. Certainly, while there is no mistaking the origins of the Prius v's styling, it appears there is no panel interchangeability between the two.

To be precise, the Prius v measures 155mm longer, 30mm wider, 85mm higher and 78mm longer in wheelbase than the (current) third-generation Prius.

The couple distance in the new model is quoted at 965mm, while a high seating position contributes to generous front and rear legroom.

Versatility is helped along with a sliding, 60-40 split-fold rear seat that is able to recline as much as 45 degrees., as well as a flat-folding front passenger seat that enables loading of super-lengthy items.

No weight figure is quoted in Toyota's press statement, but the obviously heavier Prius v uses the same engine spec as the current model (1.8 litres, 100kW combined petrol-electric total output) and is quoted with an average fuel consumption in the US equivalent to 5.9L/100km. The third-generation model claims 3.9L/100km. The Prius v offers the choice of four driving modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV.

Aerodynamics have slipped back a bit, but the Cd figure is still perfectly reasonable at 0.29 (Cd 0.24 for the standard Prius).

In addition to the Prius v, Toyota also unveiled the Prius c Concept city car in Detroit.

Tighter, thriftier and cleaner than any other Prius models, the Concept is a decidedly funky five-door hatch aimed at a lower price point making it "the most value-oriented hybrid in the US market."

The Prius c Concept will be directed towards "young singles and couples who want an eco-sensitive, high-mileage, fun-to-drive Prius."

While the Prius v is scheduled to go on sale in the US in the second half of this year, the Prius c Concept is due for its US launch in the first half of 2012. There's no word yet on the Prius v for Australia, but the Prius c is possibly the small hybrid model mentioned to the local press by Toyota Australia's senior executive director of sales and marketing, David Buttner, last week.

Toyota also had its "plug-in" Prius, which offers around 20km of battery-only motivation before conventional hybrid technology kicks in, on display in Detroit.

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