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Toyota Prius family (photos)

Toyota is expanding the Prius family, showing off two new models and a concept at the 2011 Detroit auto show. The Prius V is a larger model with more cargo capacity, and there is also a plug-in hybrid Prius, along with a new concept, the Prius C.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
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Toyota Prius C concept

Toyota previously said it would use Prius as a brand for a variety of hybrid vehicles, and at the 2011 Detroit auto show the company rolled out three examples to fulfill this promise. Announced at the show were the Toyota Prius C concept (pictured), the Prius V, and the Prius Plug-in.

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Toyota Prius C concept

The Prius C concept represents an effort by Toyota to make a compact, sportier Prius hybrid. We saw a version of this car last year with the FT-CH concept.

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Toyota Prius C concept

The headlights are placed far back along the hood, but unlike many concepts, merely use standard halogens instead of LEDs.

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Toyota Prius C concept

Toyota did not specify a hybrid system for the Prius C, but it could use the same power train as the current Prius, the smaller size of the car possibly giving it better fuel economy.

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Toyota Prius C concept

The current Prius has a very broad appeal, with enough room for most families. But Toyota wants to extend the line's appeal to single, urban drivers. The Prius C concept is shorter than the current Prius, and should be easier to park.

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Toyota Prius C concept

The sporty look of the Prius C concept should appeal to younger buyers. The hatchback also offers practicality.

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Toyota Prius C concept

The large backlight is a big improvement over the current Prius, offering much better rear visibility. This rear glass also serves as the hatch.

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Toyota Prius C concept

Toyota fitted the interior with a few futuristic elements, although nothing that would necessarily be barred from production.

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Toyota Prius V

The Prius V extends the Prius line in a different direction than the Prius C concept, its greater cargo area making it a more useful family car. The Prius V will be available in late summer 2011.

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Toyota Prius V

The Prius V uses the same hybrid power train as the current Prius, a 1.5-liter engine complemented by an electric motor that can drive the car at low speeds. Because of its larger size and reduced aerodynamics, the Prius V only gets 40 mpg combined city and highway, compared with the Prius' 50 mpg.

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Toyota Prius V

From the front, the Prius V retains the look of the original car, but the roofline stays high, creating the larger cargo space and giving the car an almost mini-van appearance.

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Toyota Prius V

The Prius V is only slightly longer than the current Prius. It seats five, and its rear 60/40 split seating slides back and forth.

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Toyota Prius V

The cargo area of the Prius V is 50 percent greater than that of the current Prius. Toyota has not announced a third row of seats.

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Toyota Prius V

With its larger size, the Prius V can feature a double-pane sunroof.

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Toyota Prius V

The cabin layout is identical to that of the current Prius. But the Prius V will also be one of the first Toyota models to get the new Entune telematics system.

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Toyota Prius Plug-in

Toyota also showed off the long-awaited plug-in version of the Prius. With a lithium ion battery pack, the Prius Plug-in can drive 13 miles under electric power at speeds of up to 60 mph. This car will become available in mid-2012.

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