Prius V in final stages

These recent photographs from spy pix specialists Carparazzi show Toyota's extended Prius model, the Prius V, is approaching touchdown on schedule for its anticipated introduction to the US market in the second half of this year.

Visually peeling away the dizzying black and white disguise reveals that the showroom product will be virtually identical to the car seen for the first time at this year's Detroit auto show.

With more space for everything, including passengers, the Prius V is bigger and heavier than the hatchback Prius sold in Australia, although it uses the same petrol-electric drivetrain. Average fuel consumption is quoted at 5.9L/100km.

Along with the Prius V, it is believed prototype versions of the other new hybrid shown at Detroit, the Honda Insight-size Prius C, have been seen running around in company with a Honda CR-Z hybrid and a Mazda2.

This has more relevance to Australia as Toyota executives have indicated a smaller hybrid will be launched by the company for local consumption this year.

According to the senior executive director for sales and marking David Buttner the company is planning to introduce a "smaller hybrid" in 2012 if it received the thumbs-up after the Prius C concept model makes its appearance at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne during July.

The bigger Prius V is not expected to be sold in Australia, which already has the regular Prius hatch, plus the hybrid Camry, as part of the Toyota fleet.

Watch this space for more on the Prius C.

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