| New Toyota Prius | ||
 |
||
|
(Mon 12 Jan 09) The third generation of Hollywood's darling, the Toyota Prius hybrid, has been revealed at the Detroit Show. It bears much more resemblance to the second version than that car did to the first, but it's based on a new platform and has a different roof profile to give more headroom for rear passengers.
It has also been through a weight-saving programme which involved the use of lightweight aluminium and ultra high-tensile steel, along with redesigning the Hybrid Energy System to make it smaller (for improved luggage space) and lighter (for improved everything else). Although exact figures have not yet been announced, Toyota is saying that this Prius will be both faster and economical than the current one, respectively because of and despite the fact that it has a 1.8-litre petrol engine (all other Priuses have been 1.5s) to go with the electric motor. The full specification for European-market versions will be announced at the Geneva Show in March. UK prices have also still to be confirmed, but Toyota is saying that the car will go on sale here this summer. |
