Prius Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume

Prius v: "Versatility" for Young, Active Families

The new Prius v, with "v" expressing the vehicle's versatility, will meet the needs of growing families with active lifestyles while providing the same attributes traditionally found in the Prius DNA. It will share the current generation Prius' platform and Hybrid Synergy Drive technology. Featuring a compact exterior yet spacious interior, the Prius v will feature over 50-percent more interior cargo space than the current Prius.

With a balance between outstanding spaciousness, refined style, and smooth aerodynamics, Prius v has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, which does not inhibit the vehicle's convenient packaging. It is a new vehicle designed from the ground up, with a shape that evolved from Prius rather than being an elongated version.

The exterior styling is sleek, rounded and bold, with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. The trapezoidal-shaped front features sharp-edged headlamps, wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics and an enlarged under grille, which all help create a unique design evolving from the current Prius. Prius v's rear styling is highlighted by a refined backdoor panel, intricate combination taillights and a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.

Inside, the Prius v emphasizes overall proportion with spaciousness and flexibility for active families. Comfortable interior space and good visibility has been assisted by a high seating position, ample head room, and an impressive 38-inch couple distance, providing generous rear legroom. A low, wide-opening rear hatch reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, making it the most spacious dedicated hybrid vehicle on the market and better than some compact SUVs.

Comfortable seating for five is specifically designed for young families. Sliding second row seats allow for easier ingress and egress and rear-storage flexibility, with a 45-degree recline for greater comfort. The 60/40 split, folding rear seats present four different seat arrangements that provide excellent usability for passengers and luggage, while a fold-flat front-passenger seat allows for extremely long cargo.

Also available, and a Toyota-first, is a resin Panoramic View moonroof with power retractable sun shades that provides an open atmosphere in the cabin with a 40-percent reduction in weight as compared to conventional glass roofs of the same size, and excellent heat insulation performance.

Up front, instrument-panel controls, including a single-dial air-conditioning control and a center-mounted digital combination meter, provide an advanced look and user-friendly command. The driving controls – including the Push Button Start, parking switch, electronic shift lever, and driving mode selection – are distinguished by silver trim.

Despite the spaciousness of a family friendly midsize vehicle, the Prius v will deliver estimated EPA fuel economy ratings of 42 mpg city, 38 mpg highway and 40 mpg combined, the best fuel economy ratings of any SUV, crossover, or wagon on the market. It will also emit 66-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle.

Like the current generation Prius, the Prius v is a showcase of technology that will include many of the same standard features. Four driving modes (Normal, Power, Eco and EV) satisfy a variety of road conditions and driver preferences. A Smart Key System with Push Button Start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera are standard. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Advanced Parking Guidance System.

For a high level of safety, there are seven airbags, a high-strength cabin and an energy-absorbing body structure with impact beams, cross members and leg absorption pads. New driver and front-passenger seat design helps lessen possible whiplash injury during a collision.

Like all Toyota models, the Prius v will feature Toyota's Star Safety System™ standard, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. It also features the standard Smart Stop Technology brake-override system.

Prius v will be one of the first Toyotas with the Entune™ multimedia system. For the first time ever in an automobile, this innovative new system leverages the mobile phone to provide a richer in-vehicle experience with fully integrated and wireless upgradeable navigation, entertainment and information services.

Toyota Entune debuts the first-ever support for engaging mobile apps, such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com, along with accessing useful travel-related services, such as live weather, traffic, fuel information (location and price), stocks, news and sports.

Toyota Entune brings the largest selection of music options available to a vehicle, including iheartradio's 750+ stations, Pandora's personalized music, the driver's personal songs from portable media players and iPods (via USB or Bluetooth audio streaming), and more than 170 stations from XM satellite radio.

Featuring a best-in-class, advanced conversational voice recognition system that helps the driver to stay focused on the road, Toyota Entune eliminates the need to memorize thousands of voice commands and helps reduce driver distraction.

Entune will also allow for audio read-back and replay capabilities for text messages, with the ability to respond by pre-set "Quick Reply Messages."

Prius v will combine Entune with a standard Display Audio system rich with dynamic entertainment and communication features. The system will include HD Radio with iTunes tagging for future purchase; XM radio, weather, sports, stocks and local fuel pricing; Bluetooth hands-free phone and wireless audio; and full iPod integration including music and video.

A new evolution in hybrid vehicles with excellent cargo space and Prius' heritage of environmental performance and fuel economy, the 2012 Prius v will go on sale in late summer 2011.

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- Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume — Autoblog

They should have just called it the "Please Stab Me With An Epinephrine Pen Because I Have Just Been Stung By Many Bees" edition.

Seriously looks like a bloated normal Prius. The small hybrid they have at the show looks great however.

Wow I didn't think it could be any uglier, but I was wrong

V is for Vitriolic. This is easily the fugliest car I've ever seen. They must have designed it blindfolded.

Gullwing said:

Wow I didn't think it could be any uglier, but I was wrong

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You know good and well you can't wait for this to hit the dealership. Probably already have a test drive scheduled. Mercedes doesn't have anything on this Prius!

HighestOfHigh said:

You know good and well you can't wait for this to hit the dealership. Probably already have a test drive scheduled. Mercedes doesn't have anything on this Prius!

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No it is a felony to pull up in front of a local dealership and open fire on their products. Too bad that would have been fun.

^Lol...That is so cruel.

Toyota Prius+ receives minor updates for European market

2015 Toyota Prius+ (Euro-spec)

The only seven-seater hybrid sold in Europe
Toyota has applied some modest updates on the Euro-spec Prius+ which is billed as being the only seven-seat hybrid available on the old continent.

It was 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show where Toyota brought the seven-seater Prius+ and now the people carrier has received a subtle makeover which brings a restyled front fascia with LED headlights, updated upper front grille and a trapezoidal lower grille featuring a black metallic finish. Also changed are the LED daytime running lights, air intakes, combination rear lamp design as well as the license plate trim and bumper with built-in diffuser.

The Euro-spec Prius+ has gained two fresh exterior paints (Dark Sherry metallic & Attitude Black mica) while inside the cabin there's a new dark silver metallic finish for the AC dial control and driver's switchgear. Other tweaks include chrome door handles & center console air vents along with a new 4.2-inch TFT display providing basic data and controllable via the steering wheel-mounted buttons.

Aside from these changes, the 2015 Prius+ (Euro-spec) benefits from improved handling and ride thanks to adjustments made to the damping force. Moreover, Toyota has installed new sound deadening material in the side of the rear compartment while the hybrid powertrain now meets Euro 6 emissions standards.

As a reminder, the Toyota Prius+ is powered by a 99 HP four-cylinder 1.8-liter engine working together with an 81 HP electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack. Thanks to a combined output of 136 HP (100 kW), it does the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) run in 11.3 seconds and tops out at 102 mph (165 km/h). This hardware setup grants the hybrid MPV with a combined fuel consumption of 4.1 liters / 100 km with corresponding CO2 emissions of 96 g/km.

Source: Toyota