Toyota has confirmed it will build a seven-seat MPV variant of its Prius hybrid, as well as an estate version.

The two new hybrid models were confirmed by Toyota's President Akio Toyoda in a global announcement today (9 March, 2011). Toyoda also stated Toyota's intention to sell 10 million cars per year by 2015, up from the current production figure of 8.42 million.

Expanding the Prius range is key to Toyota's increased production aims. The Prius MPV will come with five individual rear seats that all fold independently and stow flat in the floor.

Using the same 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor set-up as the existing Prius, the MPV model is due to go on sale in the UK in 2012. Toyota says it will have the lowest carbon dioxide emissions and best fuel economy of any seven-seat MPV on sale.

The Prius MPV should be almost identical to the Prius+ the company displayed at the Geneva Motor Show last week. However, the Prius estate goes on sale in Japan in April, with worldwide sales set to follow in stages. It comes with five seats and a much larger load bay than the hatchback.

UK customers are likely to be able to buy a Prius estate in the second half of 2012, though Toyota has yet to confirm an exact date or price.

Alisdair Suttie - 9 Mar 2011