Toyota will pull the wraps off two new eco-models at the
Geneva Motor Show in March - the Yaris HSD (hybrid) and the Prius+, the first full hybrid with seven seats in Europe.
The Japanese giant has released a teaser photo of both cars. This is first such image of the Yaris HSD, while the Prius+ will be familiar from its international unveiling in the US last month at the
Detroit Auto Show.
Details are sketchy at present, but Toyota has hinted that the Yaris HSD will feature a number of hybrid-specific styling cues, along with what it calls 'forward-looking design elements'.
What we can gather from the teaser image is that the hybrid will be based on the latest, third generation Yaris (known as the Vitz overseas) and will wear rather stylish, propeller style four-spoke alloy wheels. A unique bumper, grille and LED headlights are also on the cards.
The Toyota Prius+ is very much what it says on the tin - a larger, seven-seat version of the hatchback of the same name. Toyota is billing the larger car as particularly family friendly, with significantly more space than the hatch.
As you'd expect from cars trading on their eco credentials, Toyota is promising class-leading fuel economy and emissions. There are no official figures yet, but we'd be tempted to guarantee a figure of 99g/km or less from the Yaris HSD and no more than 110g/km from the Prius+.
Toyota will also display a number of eco-friendly tech features on its
Geneva Motor Show stand. The firm's plug-in hybrid, electric vehicle and fuel cell systems will all be on show.
Jack Carfrae - 7 Feb 2011