MECHANICVILLE, N.Y. – The recently renamed Toyota Prius Liftback is the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the United States, and Toyota is on a mission to build on that success. In 2012 the Japanese automaker will attempt to capture the title of best-selling hybrid family of vehicles as it debuts three new Prius siblings at Toyota dealerships starting this fall.
In its recent “Prius Goes Plural” advertising campaign, Toyota introduced three new members of the Prius family: the Prius v, the “the bigger one”; the Prius c, “the smaller one,” and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, “the one that plugs in.” The third-generation Prius Liftback, “the original one,” completes the quartet, each of which will offer unique features to meet consumers’ varying needs.
“Toyota has proved that its hybrid vehicles have tremendous versatility,” said Mike Raucci, general manager of New York Toyota dealer New Country Toyota of Clifton Park. “Families no longer have to worry about sacrificing space for fuel economy, and commuters can forego gas pumps in favor of the open road. The new Prius models step up to fill the remaining gaps in the hybrid market.”
The 2012 Prius v, Toyota’s new contender in the hybrid crossover vehicle class, will arrive at dealerships this fall with 58 percent more cargo room than the Prius Liftback, giving it more space than 80 percent of all small SUVs on the market. With sliding and reclining rear seats, the Toyota Prius v makes family-friendly use of its space, producing an advantage over smaller hybrids and less-efficient gasoline-only competitors.
Set to arrive in New York and other select states in the spring of 2012, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will offer drivers up to 15 miles of electric-only propulsion at 62 mph, an ideal solution for New York commuters who frequently take short trips. As the first Prius to come to the United States with a lithium-ion battery pack, the Plug-in Hybrid will have a full charge time of 2.5 to 3 hours using a 120-volt outlet, or 1.5 hours using a 240-volt outlet.
For those who desire the fuel economy of a hybrid vehicle without a higher price tag, Toyota has unveiled the Prius c concept. Along with sportier styling, the Prius c will have the lowest price tag of any Prius model, as well as higher fuel economy than the Liftback. The Prius c will make its dealership debut after the Prius Plug-in Hybrid next spring.
Adding to their long list of technology features, the Prius v and Prius Liftback will receive Toyota’s new Display Audio System for the 2012 model year, which features a 6.1-inch touch screen and an optional back-up camera. Buyers will also have the option of adding Entune, Toyota’s new multimedia system, which connects with smartphones and integrates with apps like OpenTable, MovieTickets.com and Pandora internet radio.
“Whether you’re a single commuter, a family of four or just an environmentally conscious person, the new Prius family offers the functions you need and the fun features that you want,” added Raucci. “Toyota has put a lot of its energy into redesigning the Prius for different types of buyers, and every new Prius will deliver the latest technology as well as significant fuel savings.”
