New Toyota Prius India launch confirmed for January 2017

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM), the Indian subsidiary of Japanese auto giant Toyota Motor Corporation, has confirmed that it will launch the new Prius hybrid car in January 2017. The company has already showcased the new version in India at the Auto Expo 2016.

The new Prius made its global debut in September 2015 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Prius is the first car that is produced globally to make use of Toyota's new shared platform --Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) -- and the company touts TNGA's lower centre of gravity for better handling.

The new Toyota Prius is powered by hybrid power-train that consists of a petrol engine along with an electric motor. The 1.8-litre, 4-cylinder DOHC VVT-I motor with EV44, Eco and Power modes develops 97bhp at 5,200rpm and 142Nm of torque at 3,600rpm. The motor works in tandem with 71bhp and 136Nm torque producing the electric motor that sources power from lithium-ion/nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Toyota claims new Prius comes with 10 percent increase in fuel economy and a 40 percent increase in thermal efficiency. The car measures 4,540mm in length, 1,760mm in width, 1,470mm in height and 2,700mm in terms of wheelbase. The Prius is 60 mm longer, 15 mm wider and 20 mm lower than its predecessor and the extra length provides a spacious cabin for the passengers. Boot capacity has also increased from 445-litres to 502-litres.

The hybrid car will also boast of 4.2-inch instrument cluster display, touch-screen infotainment system, new automatic climate control system and colour head-up display (HUD). The new version is expected to be priced from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).

Prius is one of the first hybrid cars to reach Indian shores in 2010. The company has given a facelift to Prius in 2012 and launched it at the Auto Expo 2012.