Toyota's latest version of the hybrid Prius was previewed for the first time in Ireland last night, revealing a new design more in keeping with the styling of the rest of the Toyota range.
The roomy new hybrid will be officially launched here later this year, but prices are not expected to be revealed until October. Aimed to make the hybrid more mainstream it will target the family saloon market.
About 110,000 Prius - Latin for "ahead of its time" - have been sold so far. However, only 35 Prius cars were sold in Ireland, largely due to its high price. This is in spite of a Government tax rebate of 50 per cent of VRT.
The problem has been that while the cleaner technology is still something that everyone "aspires to" they are not prepared to pay extra. It is believed a full rebate of VRT is required to make the car more attractive to the general motoring populous.
The announcement of prices later in the year will be eagerly awaited, for with performance figures of 0-62 mph in under 11 seconds - three seconds quicker than the current model - along with low fuel consumption figures, price is the only real hurdle preventing more motorists turning green.
The new version is a step forward in technology as well as aesthetics. The new engine offers 1.5 times more electric motor power, up to 68 bhp, and 8 per cent more petrol power (now 78 bhp). It has a 50 per cent more powerful 50-kilowatt drive-motor operating at up to 500 volts. It also uses drive-by-wire technology.
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