Detroit Auto Show 2011: Toyota Prius V Concept – The Hybrid Minivan

Toyota displayed at Detroit Auto Show 2011 the first derived of their Prius hybrid mode, a minivan with generous interior, keeping the same drive train.

Just like they promised, Toyota unveiled at Detroit Motor Show 2011 the first member of their Prius hybrid family. We are talking about a minivan, named Toyota Prius V, which is based on the same eco-friendly recipe, but offering more room inside.

The Japanes hybrid minivan is 182 inches long, 70 inches wide, 62 inches high and has a wheelbase of 109 inches. Its generous dimensions help the new Prius V to offer 50% more room when compared with the current generation of Prius and, of course, an a lot more roomy trunk.

The HSD platform hosts the same Atkinson petrol engine, with a displacement of 1.8-liter and 98 horsepower, assisted by an electric motor of 80 HP. The total power sums up 134 HP, enough for a model with these dimensions.

The small drag coefficient (0.29) makes the fuel mileage something to dream about. Toyota Prius V has a fuel mileage of 42 mpg in the urban jungle, 38 mpg on the highway and an average of 39.8 mpg.

Inside, the customers of Prius V will get a new multimedia system, named Entune, which allows the usage of mobile phone applications and even Bing for getting traffic information, gas prices, weather conditions or the latest sport news.

Coming with 16 inch rims and 205/60 tires as stock or 17 inch rims and 215/50 as optional, the new Toyota Prius V is expected to hit the showrooms this year.

Once they unveiled the new minivan, Toyota officials also confirmed that the new arrivals of the hybrid line-up will borrow the name of Prius pioneer, just like it was anticipated.