Title: Toyota Prius 'family' Coming To Australia
Description: 23 May 2011
Stephen - May 25, 2011 01:19 PM (GMT)
TOYOTA PRIUS 'FAMILY' COMING TO AUSTRALIA
Toyota will display an extended Prius "family" at the Australian International Motor Show in July.
The company announced today it had confirmed the versatile and spacious Prius v for the show.
It will feature on Toyota's stand alongside the Prius c Concept and the third-generation Prius.
Toyota's senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the Prius v, like the Prius c Concept, is aimed at broadening the appeal of Prius.
Mr Buttner said the opinions of motor show patrons would feed into consideration of Prius v for the local market.
"Prius v is a family-oriented five-seater designed to meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles," Mr Buttner said.
"The v stands for versatility, which is reflected in the car's compact exterior and more spacious interior," he said.
"Prius v was designed from the ground up as a new, dedicated hybrid vehicle with a shape that evolved from Prius - it is not just an elongated version.
"It shares its platform with the current Prius while providing substantially more cargo space.
"Its versatility provides an added dimension to the Prius core values of great fuel economy, low emissions, proven technology and environmental stewardship."
Mr Buttner said the seven-seat Prius+ was also under study for the local market.
"Later this year, we expect to be in a position to make further announcements about bringing an extended Prius family to local showrooms," he said.
Prius v shares the Hybrid Synergy Drive technology of the current-generation Prius, including its nickel-metal hydride battery pack.
Its exterior styling is sleek, rounded and bold, with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius.
Inside, it delivers extra flexibility with its sliding second-row seats, the backs of which can recline up to 45 degrees. A fold-flat front passenger seat allows extremely long cargo to be carried.
