Toyota releases a video starring the 2012 Prius C and the NS4 Plug-In Hybrid Concept, both of which are currently on display at the 2012 North American International Auto Show, in Detroit. The 6-minute long footage features Toyota USA’s Chief Operating Officer and Sales President, Mr. Jim Lentz, introducing both models to the crowd as well as highlighting their main features.

The Prius C, a.k.a. Prius City, has been specifically designed to move swiftly in the chaotic traffic of the big city keeping emissions and fuel consuption as low as possible. The model measures 3.99 meters in length, 1.69 in larghezza in width and 1.45 in height, with a wheelbase of 2.55 meters. The trunk has a capacity of 305 litres, that can be further expanded by folding the rear bench. Under the bonnet there is a 1.5-litre engine delivering 74 hp and 111 Nm of peak torque that works jointly with a 45 kW (60 hp) electric motor. The Prius C is credited with an average fuel consumption of 4.4 l/100km, and is scheduled to enter the US market in March.

The NS4 Concept is an anticipation of the future Toyota hybrid plug-in 3-box mid-sized sedan, but the production model should not see the light of the day until 2015. Design-wise, this model looks significantly different from all the other Toyota models, something that just adds up to its futuristic image. The NS4 comes with a quite consistent line-up of safety devices, including a pre-collision system (PCS), radar, aided steering and braking, adaptive driving beam (ADB) headlights and blind spot monitor (BSM).

View the full Toyota Prius C official photo gallery

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Toyota Motor Co. has launched their new hatchback, the Aqua, a model that is also known as Prius C on most foreign markets. The car is powered by a 1.5-litre Toyota Hybrid System II (THS II) engine, producing a combined motor and engine output of 100 hp. The petrol engine apparatus also features a cooled Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR) system, which improves its overall fuel efficiency that also benefits from a battery-powered water pump. In fact, unlike conventional belt-driven waterpumps, this beltless design reduces frictions and allows precise control of coolant flow. The unit boasts an average fuel consumption of 2.8 l/100km (83.3 mpg). In Japan the Aqua is priced at 1.69 million yen (roughly 16,600 € /21,700 $), with Toyota planning to sell 12,000 units per month in Japan only.

The Japanese carmaker has also announced two aftermarket packages for the Prius C/Aqua hybrid called ‘TRD’ (which is the name of Toyota’s official in-house tuner) and ‘Modellista’. The former includes a new front bumper with integrated LED day-lights, side skirts and rear bumper with integrated diffuser. Also available as extras are a new set of wheels, firmer shock absorbers and springs and a stainless cat-back exhaust system with dual tips. The Modellista package it’s much of the same as the TRD package but their are two versions, each one of which with 5-piece body kits inclusive of front and rear aprons, side skirts and roof spoiler. Uprated suspension, wheels and exhaust muffler are also available. Check out the official Press Release after the jump to find out more.

View the full Toyota Prius C (Aqua) photo gallery

Continue reading: Toyota Prius C (Aqua) debuts in Japan along with TRD and Modellista versions

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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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