Currently reading: Toyota teases new Prius plug-in ahead of New York motor show

Plug-in model expected to arrive with more efficient drivetrain; due in showrooms late this year

Toyota has revealed a teaser shot of the next addition to its Toyota Prius range ahead of the New York motor show.

In true teaser-image fashion it doesn’t give much away, showing only a darkened silhouette and a new tail-light design.

Updated, more horizontal rear lights look to replace the more vertical lights showcased on the hybrid Prius, which was unveiled just last year.

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Toyota was unable to confirm exactly what is coming to the new model, but Autocar expects it to be a new plug-in variant.

The outgoing plug-in model uses a 132bhp, 1.8-litre 16-valve DOHC engine with VVT-I and an e-CVT transmission. The powertrain is capable of accelerating the car from 0-62mph in 11.4sec and on to a top speed f 111mph. Expect improvements all round and less than 40g/km of CO2.

Mechanical specifics in terms of its plug-in powertrain have yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to feature ithes current hybrid electric motor along with a new, larger battery.

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Whether the design updates are intended to distinguish the plug-in model from its hybrid sibling or whether the styling will eventually transfer across has yet to be confirmed.

A direct rival to a new plug-in Prius would be the Chevrolet Volt. It is powered by two electric motors and offers a range up to 52 miles of pure-electric running or 420 miles from a full electric charge and a full tank of fuel.

More details on the new Prius model will be revealed following its debut at the New York motor show on the 23 March. Prices should be similar to those of the outgoing model, which starts from £28,395. The first cars should arrive in the UK at the end of 2016.

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bol 15 March 2016

I thought Toyota has rejected battery power as a dead end?

The current plug in Prius is well off the pace, so hopefully this will be a big step forward. Hopefully Toyota have changed their tune and will get properly behind the development of electric cars again instead of getting over excited about hydrogen.
androo 15 March 2016

Different styling for the plugin?

Since the Prius 4 is brand new, but we've already seen it in all its glory, there doesn't seem much point releasing a silly teaser shot unless the plugin version is going to look slightly different from the standard version. That would be an interesting move.
xxxx 15 March 2016

range

With the larger battery hopefully the electric only range will be knocking on the 40 mile mark.