Toyota revealed its upcoming Prius hybrid vehicles, which include a bulkier version of today’s Prius and a sporty concept car, at Monday’s North American International Auto Show.The new model we’ll see soonest is the Prius V hatchback, looking a lot like the third-generation Prius available today, except it’s taller and holds 50% more cargo. Toyota says that model will be hitting the streets this summer, adding that “V” stands for “Versatility,” aiming it at “young, active families.”
According to Toyota, the new Prius V is not a plug-in hybrid, but employs the same tech as the current Prius with its Hybrid Synergy Drive. Drivers will pay for its extra cargo space at the gas pump, though, because this expanded Prius sacrifices gas mileage with Toyota quoting a combined figure of 40 miles per gallon — that’s 10 mpg less than today’s standard Prius.
The most intriguing rollout was the Prius C, a concept vehicle Toyota said would be available in the first half of 2012. The company was less specific about the C’s mileage or specs, vaguely stating how it will be a “dynamic vehicle with urban appeal,” and will have “outstanding fuel efficiency in a compact package, while also providing a surprisingly spacious interior.”
The company teased advanced technology features for its Prius C, but wasn’t specific about what those might be. See pictures of this sporty hybrid in the gallery below, keeping in mind that concept vehicles tend to change drastically before they roll off any real-world assembly lines.
In addition, Toyota still has a plug-in Prius on the way, also set for a sales target of the first half of 2012. That vehicle will be able to drive 13 miles on battery power at 60mph, and when the batteries deplete, its gasoline engine keeps it going in hybrid mode.
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