Toyota releases the first two official videos starring the new Prius model year 2012. The revamped city car from the Japanese manufacturer comes with a redesigned front bumper (with a bigger air-intake and integrated LED technology), indicators on the wing mirrors, a new layout for the tail lamps and two new color options for its livery.

The passenger compartment has been revised as well, now sporting new inserts on the central console, elegant air-inlet outlines, a drink holder between the front seats, new carmats and, especially, Toyota’s own Touch and Touch&Go Plus systems, which have been recently launched on the new Yaris.

In comparison to the previous version, the Prius model year 2012 also boasts a stiffer bodyshell as well as upgraded steering and suspension. Average fuel consumption is rated at 3,9 l/100km, with CO2 emissions of 89 g/km. The 2012 Prius will also retain the Active, Style and Lounge trims of the previous range. Click on the ‘Continue reading’ link below the thumbnails to access the second video.

Continue reading: 2012 Toyota Prius: official videos released

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Toyota has released today the first official pictures and info of the new Prius model year 2012. The famous full-hybrid car from the Japanese manufacturer will hit the showrooms in the first quarter of this year and boasts a renewed look thanks to its new front bumper with larger air-intake and integrated LED technology, indicators on the wing mirrors, a new layout of the tail lamps and two new color options: Red Met and Dark Violet Met.

As for the cabin, the model gets new inserts on the central console, new air-inlet outlines, a drink holder between the front seats and new carmats. More importantly, the new Prius get both Toyota Touch and Toyota Touch&Go Plus systems, which have been recently launched on the new Yaris. the former includes CD/mp3 player, Bluetooth connectivity, USB dock and rear-view camera; the latter adds vocal commands, ‘one-click’ 3-D sat-nav functions, and a system that allows to send and receive emails and text messages, providing also info about weather, speed limits, fuel consumption and so forth.

The new Prius also comes with upgraded suspension and steering, and boasts an average fuel consumption of 3,9 l/100km, with CO2 emissions of 89 g/km. The Prius model year 2012 will also retain the Active, Style and Lounge trims of the previous range.

View the full Toyota Prius Model Year 2012 photo gallery

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Toyota released the first official video of the Prius C subcompact, which will be unveiled at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show and then enter the market at some point in 2012. The model will be positioned right below the Prius and is equipped with an hybrid powertrain using a 1.4-litres petrol engine delivering 76 hp and an electric one producing 63 hp. The combined action of these two units provides the car with 102 horsepower and 35 km/l of average fuel consumption, which is an unprecedented figure for hybrid cars with no plug-in system.

The model is expected to hit Japanese and American showrooms next year whereas in Europe the range will consist of Yaris, Auris and Prius (with Prius+ and Plug-in versions currently waiting in the wings).

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The European car market will be relying on hybrid and electric vehicles more in the future if reports about banning fuel-driven cars in Europe are to be believed. But at this stage, despite the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the Japanese car manufacturers are still slowing making their mark in the electric sector.

After seeing the first Nissan Leaf deliveries in the UK, Japanese counterpart Toyota has announced a new partnership in Paris to help test its Toyota Prius hybrid models and the supporting electric recharging infrastructure. We don’t know what agreements a company like Renault might have, so we’re making a guess when we say that the Japanese company might have beaten the French in their own market.

Renault is heavily investing in its electric vehicles, with the Renault Fluence to be released later this year, and an electric Twingo to follow, possibly as early as 2014. With the Nissan Leaf winning the 2011 European Car of the Year award, and the Toyota Prius still the world’s original hybrid, the Japanese brands could well have a head start in the electric segment of the European car market if these kinds of infrastructure deals continue.

Source | WCF

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That’s right; in the face of auto industry crisis, economic downturns and plummeting sales, Toyota is actually experiencing a waiting list for its hybrid Prius model, with the list in Japan apparently extending to a good seven months.

Reports say that the Prius production plants are running around the clock, overtime is on offer and workers from around the country are being moved in to facilitate manufacturing. This is possible the only recruitment drive currently in the car market anywhere in the world.

Higher than expected sales numbers for the Toyota Prius are driving the production, and even the battery supplier, Panasonic EV Energy, is working overtime to supply the demand. And from our point of view, here’s hoping the production is a sign of changing times and greener cars.

Source | Autoblog Green

Continue reading: Want a 2010 Toyota Prius? Get in line

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In the following series of videos you can see the new technology and accessories available on the new Toyota Prius. The hybrid has already reached its third generation and the updates are essential in maintaining sales in the US market.

The Smart Key function will be present, along with Drive Mode, park assist, multifunction display, bluetooth connection and new XM Nav Traffic sat nav. Other options available will be the Moonroof, active cruise control and remote control air conditioning.

Continue reading: New Toyota Prius videos

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Chevrolet has released shots of its Chevrolet Volt, that show the final look of this American hybrid and its technological aspects. You may as well save the photos at this stage, as the Volt itself won’t appear on the market until the end of 2010, while the new Toyota Prius and Honda Insight have got a jump on Chevrolet.

Chevrolet is still pursuing its hybrid programs though, with an agreement with LG to produce new batteries in its Michigan facilities. It’s not a bad looking car for the hybrid segment, though I don’t really get the shot of the flowers in the boot - economic friendliness taken too far when the norm is a set of golf clubs…?

Continue reading: New images of Chevrolet Volt

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EDF (Électricité De France) and Toyota plans for testing of the hybrid plug-in are developing as after the first tests in France, in September 2007, the two companies are now experimenting on the streets of Britain. The tests are being undertaken mostly in suburban areas to study the necessary infrastructure required for these vehicles. The tests will continue for the next 12 months.

The first test car will used by EDF staff as if it were part of the fleet of company cars, to evaluate the realistic possibilities of daily use of a plug-in. The Prius used is equipped with a new recharge system, studied to be compatible with the next generation “refuel” stations. EDF has already installed 40 of these stations, but over the next months that number is likely to grow.

The first figures of the Prius plug-in are clear: compared to the current version, over a 25 km course, fuel consumption is reduced by up to 60 percent! This is an excellent result for a project still at the beginning of its research.

Source | GreenCarCongress

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More sightings of the next generation Toyota Prius prototype have occurred, and while it’s difficult to get an idea of the overall look, these new shots give us a chance to check out the interior.

It appears more sporty, and the central gear stick is of particular note, compared to the joystick of the current version. The touch screen and general driving position have also been lowered.

The new Toyota Prius should be released in the course of 2009, with the “old” nickel batteries and similar dimensions and volume to the current model, although station wagon and cabriolet versions are currently being developed.

Continue reading: Toyota Prius next generation: more spy shots

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The next Toyota Prius is expected in the course of 2009, and preparations are currently underway for the heir to what we could define as the first true mass hybrid. The photos you see here come from AutoWeek and the European headquarters of the Japanese company.

The heavy camouflage means no judgement on the car’s style can be made, but it appears to point to similarities to the current model. What is certain in that the new Prius will have cleaner lines than the current model: the roof, for example, will be carpeted with solar panels which should guarantee the functioning of the air conditioning, and a plug-in model is currently planned.

Continue reading: Toyota Prius: next generation in testing phase

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The next generation Toyota Prius will be available for sale in the course of the next year, and will produced in higher numbers - a good 70 percent more than the current according to Automative News.

To make for new assembly lines required for such a strong increase in production, next April the Japanese company should move production to its minivan Wish chain Tsutsumi facilities, where two models are currently produced.

It’s an excellent opportunity for the company in the American market, strangled by petrol prices, which is just crying out for hybrid vehicles. Long waiting lists demonstrate this, some of many months, and the 281,300 units sold last year.

To enter the US market in the best possible way, Toyota will also move some of the Prius production to a Mississippi facility, where together with the Tsutsumi factory, 480,000 units a year will be produced.

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It appears the Japanese are asking help from the “enemy” to globalise the apple of their eye: according to unconfirmed reports, Toyota wants to collaborate with General Motors to export a Prius production line to an American facility.

The Tokyo company has apparently spied facilities in Vermont, California, as a possible place to welcome the first site of hybrid production outside of Asia - current assembly is shared between Japan and China. The previous joint-venture between NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) and GM would be the first, fundamental point of departure to start negotiations.

Despite usual denial of reports, this could be the first step towards achieving the objective of one million hybrids by 2010.

Via | Autoblog.com

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