New York show: Toyota teases new Prius model

TOYOTA will unveil a new “stand-out style” member of its eco-friendly Prius family at the New York motor show next week, and a single teaser image suggests that the new arrival will take the range of hybrid vehicles into sportier territory.

While the existing range of Prius, Prius V and Prius C offers a comprehensive line-up of practical hybrids, the brand has not yet experimented in higher-performance and driver-focused models as some of its rivals have, but that may be about to change.

The image released by the Japanese car-maker shows a slick rear end wearing flowing fine-line lighting that would lend itself to a model with a lower and wider stance than anything in the existing Prius range.

Its feint roof-line also points to a car that trades more on its styling than pure planet-saving hybrid technology, but no other glimpses are given away in the release.

In addition to intriguing styling Toyota describes as “stand-out”, the car-maker also says the mysterious model showcases Intelligent Eco-Tech, suggesting the latest member of the Prius pack may debut an evolution of Toyota's established hybrid system.

The model is unlikely to be a replacement for any of the current Prius models with all three either recently updated or not due for a replacement for some time, reinforcing the theory that the car will be a fourth representative.

No family resemblance can be seen in the new tail-light design when compared to the all-new Prius' back end, which launched in Australia earlier this month.

Numerous other car-makers have already breached the performance-focused hybrid segment including Toyota's own luxury brand Lexus, which recently revealed a version of its conspicuous LC500h coupe that does the zero to 100km/h dash in under 5.0 seconds.

Quite what shape the new car will take will have to wait until its March 23 debut, but a coupe-like profile, lower ride height and wider track is a likely scenario, not unlike Honda's Civic concept from last year's New York show or the forthcoming Hyundai Ioniq, which also uses electrified powertrains.

The view of just one obscured rear shot does not herald a mighty tarmac-tearing hyper-hybrid to match the McLaren P1 however, and GoAuto reserves final judgement following a recent tail-light tease from electric car-maker Riversimple, which emerged not as a mighty track star, but a sensible bantamweight town car.