New Toyota hybrids on the way

Toyota will reveal its hybrid Yaris and MPV in Geneva next month.

Toyota will pull the wraps off two new eco-models at the Geneva Motor Show next month - the Yaris HSD (Hybrid Synergy Drive) concept and the Prius+, the first full hybrid with seven seats in Europe.

The Japanese giant released a teaser photo of both cars. This is first such image of the Yaris HSD, while the Prius+ will be familiar from its international unveiling in the US last month. 

Details are sketchy at present, but Toyota has hinted that the Yaris HSD will feature a number of hybrid-specific styling cues, along with what it calls 'forward-looking design elements'.

What we can gather from the teaser image is that the hybrid will be based on the latest, third generation Toyota Yaris (known as the Vitz overseas) and will wear stylish, propeller style four-spoke alloy wheels. A unique bumper, grille and LED headlights are also on the cards. 

The Prius+ is very much what it says on the tin - a larger, seven-seat version of the hatchback of the same name. Toyota is billing the larger car as very family friendly, with significantly more space than the hatch.

As you'd expect from cars trading on their eco credentials, Toyota is promising class-leading fuel economy and emissions. There are no official figures yet, but we estimate a figure of 99g/km or less from the Yaris HSD and no more than 110g/km from the Prius+.

Toyota will also display a number of eco-friendly tech features on its Geneva Motor Show stand. The firm's plug-in hybrid, electric vehicle and fuel cell systems will all be on show.

Published on: February 7, 2011