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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
