NEW YORK MOTOR SHOW: Toyota Prius Prime

Touted as the most intelligent hybrid ever made, the new Toyota Prius Prime can drive from Sydney to Melbourne on just one tank, thanks to a massive 965km cruising range.

The only problem is Toyota Australia isn't interested in bringing the all-new plug-in hybrid car to Australia.

As the new fourth-generation Toyota Prius plug-in made a bold entrance during the glitz and glamour of the 2016 New York motor show, Toyota USA President of Sales, Bill Fay, decried "It's prime time!"

Boasting a 35km all-electric cruising range on top of the almost 1000km total range, the Toyota Prius Prime is offered with a gargantuan 11.6-inch Tesla-esque central infotainment HD screen, a colour head-up display and wireless phone charging as the headline technologies.

It also shows off a less-controversial design than the regular Prius hybrid, with quad LED headlight clusters up front and a new LED infused rear hatch, which is made of carbon-fibre to keep weight down.

Indeed, the new Prius Prime was dubbed the most advanced plug-in hybrid yet by Fay.
It can reach speeds of up to 135km/h (84mph) in pure electric mode thank to its 8.8kWh Lithium-ion battery and has an overall fuel economy rating of just 2.0L/100. That's due to its twin electric motors paired to a 1.8-litre petrol engine and a CVT.

But there are no plans to bring the intriguing Prius Prime to Australia any time soon, as Toyota Australia focuses on the lower-tech, non plug-in Prius hybrid, which uses a Nickel metal hydride battery, not Lithium-ion like the new model.

That model can only drive very short distances on pure electricity, a few kilometres at most and only at very low speeds.

Fay said the Prius Prime will command a premium over the regular model, which costs $34,990 in Australia, but that "We haven’t priced it yet but our goal is to ensure its great value."

The Prius Prime will have its hands full in the next year when the Hyundai IONIQ plug-in hybrid arrives -- a car that is likely to be offered in Australia.

The Hyundai IONIQ plug-in has an electric cruising range of around 50km, while the Prius Prime has 35km. Will this be an issue for Toyota?

"Our team really looked at the fuel economy and you look at the overall economy, the range is going to be almost a 100 miles more, above 600 miles combined, we think it’s a great overall package. The average person will benefit from electric range, overall range," said Fay.

"Focussing on the whole vehicle, not one thing, there's an awful lot of advantages to the consumer."

Asked if Toyota was concerned about Hyundai pushing into a segment it created and has owned for so long, Fay was non-plussed.

"They've got a new product, it's great they're in the market and they’re pushing it.

"But with the Prius name in the marketplace and the reputation it has, we'll benefit from that as more and more people learn about and understand about the difference between hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles. It'll only benefit the segment and benefit Prius long-term."

And there could be a full electric version of the Toyota Prius to rival the IONIQ EV Hyundai is planning too. Just don't expect it anytime soon.

"You may see it one day, but there's no short-term plans to do that [Prius EV]. It's not something we have around the corner to announce," said Fay.