Toyota introduced America’s first subcompact hybrid—the Toyota Prius c—at this year’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, becoming the only automaker in the country to offer a plugless vehicle capable of topping the 50-mpg benchmark in urban driving: The nimble new Prius c is targeting an EPA line of 53 mpg city/47 mpg highway/50 mpg combined.

To help owners fully optimize the driving experience, the Prius c also will have three selectable driving modes, including an Eco mode that retunes key vehicle systems for enhanced fuel economy and an EV setting that allows drivers to travel about one mile, at speeds up to 25 mph, on electricity alone. But at the same time it raises the bar in terms of fuel economy, the three-door hybrid hatch lowers the price of admission to the Prius family by featuring an MSRP that will start under $19,000.

That opening price will net owners a strong list of standard equipment, too, including automatic climate control, nine airbags, an AM/FM/CD/MP3/WMA sound system with USB port and auxiliary jack, remote keyless entry, Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free phone and music-streaming capabilities, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel with integrated audio, climate and Bluetooth controls. In keeping with the Prius c’s positioning on the premium end of the subcompact spectrum, a wide range of up-level equipment is available as well, including Toyota’s Display Radio and Entune connectivity/infotainment setup with advanced voice recognition.

The design of the Prius c evokes a premium approach to the segment as well, with a streamlined, aerodynamic exterior and unique proportions that create a planted, athletic stance. The car then lives up to its sporty looks with a uniquely tuned suspension that was specifically engineered for enhanced handling, stability and ride comfort, particularly in the confines of big cities. On the inside, according to Toyota, designers sought to “create a space that is futuristic yet passenger friendly;” it’s a goal that was achieved in part thanks to highly efficient packaging that also improves the Prius c’s weight distribution. For example, both the hybrid battery pack and gasoline fuel tank are located beneath the rear seat, where they lower the car’s center of gravity to refine handling even further.

Drivers can expect the 2012 Toyota Prius c to reach dealerships in March.

Despite significant headwinds caused by last spring’s tragedies in Japan, Toyota quality and value helped five of the automaker’s products become the best-selling vehicles in their class in 2011, including the Toyota Camry, which was both the No. 1 mid-size sedan last year and—once again—America’s most popular car of any kind.

The Camry also was the only car in the U.S. to sell over 300,000 units in 2011, thanks in part to the introduction of the all-new, completely redesigned model this past fall. With the 2012 Camry earning a strong reception, along with 33,506 December sales, the Camry nameplate as a whole tallied 308,510 deliveries for the year; that was almost 40,000 units more than its next closest rival.

Among compact cars, even with the launch of competitors like the Chevy Cruze and next-gen versions of the Hyundai Elantra and Honda Civic, it was still the Toyota Corolla that set the pace. The Corolla notched 240,259 sales last year to also become the third-best-selling car in America.

The country’s best-selling minivan? That title went to the automaker’s “Swagger Wagon,” as the Toyota Sienna leveraged its unique set of available features to garner 111,429 sales in 2011, representing a robust 12.9 percent increase over its performance in 2010. The Sienna is the only minivan in America to offer all-wheel-drive, a sport model and a thrifty four-cylinder engine.

The U.S. compact pickup segment was won by the Toyota Tacoma, as a significant refresh of the truck, introduced late last year, propelled the Tacoma to 110,705 total sales in 2011. The 2012 Tacoma now presents a bolder, more aggressive front-end design along with a comprehensively upgraded interior that offers Toyota’s Entune connectivity and infotainment system.

Finally, the Toyota Prius was the best-selling hybrid in this country last year, a position it’s held ever since the car was first launched in America some 10 years ago. Toyota sold 136,463 Prii in 2011, and that’s a total that should be far surpassed this year, since the automaker is adding the Toyota Prius v and Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid to the fold.

Designed to extend the Prius’ reputation for fuel-efficiency—and its all-electric driving range—farther than ever before, the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid recently earned a place on Forbes’ list of “Most Anticipated Cars of 2012.”

The Prius Plug-in builds on the successful formula of the world’s best-selling hybrid, but adds a new 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack to enable up to 15 miles of driving on electricity alone, at speeds of up to 62 mpg; but then, if the batteries run out of juice, the car can leverage the same Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the standard Prius to deliver hundreds of more miles of traveling with an EPA combined driving mark of 49 mpg. Thanks to quick charging times, it also will be easy for drivers to recharge that battery pack during their daily routine.

A full recharge takes about 2.5 to 3 hours using a standard 120-volt outlet or as little as 1.5 hours with a 240-volt unit. In addition, Toyota has collaborated with the EV supply equipment company Leviton to develop home-charging solutions specifically for the Prius Plug-in. The home chargers are available in 120- and 240-volt configurations, and feature compact and simple-to-use designs, full UL certification, affordable pricing, and a Prius-exclusive web portal at Leviton.com/Toyota.

The 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid will roll out to select launch markets in the U.S. in the coming year, with an MSRP that begins at $32,000 and includes a wide range of premium content; it will be available nationwide in 2013.

For more information, contact your local Toyota dealer.

Details about two of the most popular members of the Toyota lineup were recently announced for the 2012 model year, with the automaker releasing information about MSRPs and upgrades to the Toyota Prius and Toyota RAV4.

Toyota’s best-selling hybrid, the Prius, receives a fairly deep refresh for 2012. On the base model, designers introduced a restyled front fascia, revised tail lamps, nifty new 15-inch wheel covers, LED daytime running lamps, and some notable increases in standard content, too. The biggest change? The addition of Toyota’s Display Audio sound system, boasting a big 6.1-inch screen, USB port, Bluetooth functionality for hands-free calling and music streaming, and more. Uplevel Prius models share the same design enhancements and now feature Toyota’s Entune connectivity and infotainment setup, navigation, a rearview camera system, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and, on the Prius Four and Fiv, a high-efficiency, eight-speaker JBL GreenEdge sound system.

Many options are available as well, including the Prius’ first head-up display, which projects key vehicle information onto the windshield in front of the driver, helping to eliminate the need to take his/her eyes off the road.

The starting price of the 2012 Toyota Prius—expected to go on sale in January—is $23,015 for the entry version. It’s a fairly moderate change that reflects Toyota’s decision to hold cost increases to 2 to 4.3 percent depending on the model.

And the price of admission to the RAV4 family advances by an even smaller amount. The base MSRP of the entry model is now $22,650, reflecting an increase of .8 percent; all other models see price bumps of less than that, with the RAV4 Limited benefiting from a .5 percent reduction in its MSRP. Despite this, all RAV4 models get a new audio system that includes—as a standard feature—Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling/online music streaming.

The automaker’s Display Audio sound system is available as well on the RAV4 Limited, and features both Entune and navigation. Toyota also will continue to offer both two- and four-wheel-drive powertrains in the RAV4, along with the only third-row seating in its class.

The 2012 Toyota RAV4 is on sale now.

Beginning this year, the Toyota Prius is on its way to expanding its family with three new members, and its progeny are already living up to their parent’s award-winning ways: In fact, three Prii—Prius Liftback, Prius v and Prius Plug-in Hybrid—recently combined to earn the “Best Green Car to Buy 2012” recognition from GreenCarReports.com.

“The Prius is more than just one car this year,” said John Voelcker, editor, Green Car Reports. “With a new Prius v and the Prius Plug-In Hybrid, it’s now a family of vehicles with some of the highest gas mileage on the market today, and the Prius name is likely to help encourage buyers to take the plunge into plug-in vehicles.”

The award reflects the Prius family’s standout technologies, customer-friendly practicality and (low) impact on the environment, all of which are standard features regardless of which Prius you choose:

• Prius Liftback—After more than 10 years and 1 million U.S. sales, the original Prius continues to be the top-selling hybrid in America—and the most efficient one, too. With EPA ratings of 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway/50 mpg combined, the 2012 Prius showcases an MSRP of just $23,520.
• Prius v—All-new for the 2012 model year, the Prius v offers the expected high fuel-economy numbers (44 mpg city/40 mpg highway/42 mpg combined) in a super-sized package that delivers up to 67.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is more than most small SUVs and crossovers. The Prius v is on sale now with a starting price of $26,400.
• Prius Plug-in Hybrid—The Prius Plug-in takes things to the next level with an all-electric, zero-emissions driving range of up to 15 miles at the equivalent of 87 mpg; then if its battery is depleted, drivers can enjoy hundreds of more miles of driving by relying on the car’s gas-powered hybrid powertrain. Which is capable of 48 mpg combined. The Prius Plug-in goes on sale in select markets in the spring of 2012, with an MSRP of $32,000.

And also slated to launch early next year will be the Prius c. While it’s designed for young drivers shopping in the subcompact segment, the Prius c expected to feature big-time EPA ratings that top 50 mpg in the city.

As proven by the latest honor from GreenCarReports.com—and explained by Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager: “This is no ordinary family. It’s a modern family with a Prius for everyone.”

Ready to offer city drivers up to 15 miles of all-electric driving—and hundreds of more at an expected EPA rating of 49 mpg—the new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in was recently named Urban Green Vehicle of the Year by Decisive magazine. The honor is part of the annual Urban Wheel Awards, given out each January in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

“This is the Prius everyone has been waiting for,” said Lyndon Conrad Bell, editor-in-chief of Decisive magazine. “Endowing the world’s favorite hybrid with the ability to run purely on electric power for significant distances and recharge itself from an AC outlet remade an exceptional urban green car into the ideal urban green car.”

A key to that transformation: The Prius Plug-in’s advanced 4.4-kW lithium-ion battery pack, which can be fully recharged in just 2.5 to 3.0 hours using a standard 120-volt outlet or as little as 1.5 hours with a 240-volt quick-charge unit. Either way, the result is a significant no-emissions driving range at the equivalent of 87 miles per gallon. And it’s all wrapped up in the same versatile packaging that has made the traditional Prius such a success: Toyota has sold more than 1 million Prius models in this country since it first went on sale 10 years ago, and the car remains by far the most popular hybrid vehicle in both the U.S. and the world.

“We are pleased with the recognition of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in as a well-designed, smart and attainable vehicle, especially in an urban environment,” said Jim Colon, vice president of Toyota product communications at Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. “We’re confident that the Prius Plug-in’s extended electric range, selectable EV mode, expected 87 MPGe and quick home charging are among the features that helped Toyota secure this distinction.”

The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in is slated to go on sale in the spring of next year.

Rumors of the smallest entry into the Prius family have been going around for a while, but now images have emerged that may just be the tiny hybrid. Reported to be the least expensive in the lineup at around $20,000, some are expecting to see it as early as next year.

“It’s exciting to have something so entry-level come available,” said an employee at a CT Toyota Dealer.

Here are some images:

At the annual Green Drive Expo, Toyota showcased one of the newest additions to the Prius hybrid family, the Prius plug-in. This new model will give customers more options when it comes to fuel-efficient transportation.

The Prius plug-in will join the popular third-generation Prius Liftback and the new Prius v. What sets the plug-in model apart will be its incredible fuel economy, a manufacturer-estimated 87 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) in combined driving and 49 MPG in hybrid mode.

“We call it the car with no compromises,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager, at the expo. “When the EV power runs out, the proven Prius Hybrid Synergy Drive System takes over, giving the driver the same fantastic Prius out on the road today. It a better overall package, with more passenger convenience, comfort and utility than other plug-ins or EVs on the market today.”

According to a Toyota Dealer Kentucky, The 2012 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid will allow true EV operation and performance for up to 15 miles at speeds up to 62 mph, along with quick home charging using a standard AC outlet and 15-amp dedicated circuit. The vehicle also offers the same five-passenger seating and luggage space as the standard Prius model.

Toyota estimates that a full charge using an external AC outlet will take approximately 2.5 to 3.0 hours using a 120v household outlet, or 1.5 hours using a 240v outlet. The included 120v charging cable connects to the charging port inlet which is incorporated into the right-rear fender.

In addition to its innovative powertrain, the new Prius Plug-In boasts a wide range of comfort and convenience features, not to mention Toyota’s renowned infotainment system.

“The Plug-in will also launch our newest telematics applications for Entune, specifically designed for Plug-in Hybrid needs,” added Carter. “We’ll have more details to share with you in the future, but the new applications will include Charge Management, Remote Air Conditioning System, Charging Station Map, Vehicle Finder and Eco Dashboard, all available from the owner’s smart phone.”

The Prius Plug-in will go on sale next March.

Toyota has announced prices for the latest Prius hybrid models. The Prius plug-in hybrid will start from $32,000, while the larger Prius v will carry a base price of $26,400.

The plug-in Prius will be available in 14 western and East Coast states next spring and in all 50 states in 2013. Toyota hopes to sell about 15,000 plug-in Prii next year alone. Customers can submit a reservation for the plug-in Prius starting next month.

With the launch of the plug-in Prius, Toyota is also offering a Leviton Level 2 (240V) home charging station for customers for $999. Toyota says this program is exclusively tailored for Prius Plug-in customers and will feature:

• A one-stop solution for home charging stations, installation services for 120V and 240V applications, and dedicated support for Toyota customers;
• Level 2 (240V) 16-amp and 30-amp home charging stations designed exclusively for the Prius Plug-in (UL-certified, compact design, easy-to-use, and made in the U.S.A.);
• Toyota-dedicated e-commerce web portal (Leviton.com/Toyota) with product information, order tracking, and other features.

Combing renowned Prius efficiency with 58 percent more cargo space than the Prius Liftback, the Prius v is slated to arrive at Toyota dealerships in late October.

It looks like the best-selling hybrid in America will soon be moving faster than ever: That’s because Toyota is launching a new, limited-edition PLUS Performance Package—created by the high-performance experts at Toyota Racing Development (TRD)—specifically for the 2011 Prius. The new setup is based on components that first debuted at the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show and will enhance both the Prius’ appearance and its handling. What it won’t do, however, is compromise fuel efficiency; even kitted out with these new goodies, the Prius retains its industry-leading EPA fuel-efficiency ratings of 51 mpg city/48 mpg highway/50 mpg combined.

Available with a driver’s choice of four exterior colors (Blizzard Pearl, Classic Silver Metallic, Black, and Winter Gray Metallic), the PLUS Package adds:

• A seven-piece aerodynamic ground-effects kit with front and rear bumper spoilers, side skirts, and a rear diffuser, which lowers the the Prius’ already slick coefficient of drag.
• 17-inch race-inspired forged-alloy wheels wrapped in low-profile 215/45R17 tires with a custom offset.
  Suspension enhancements like track-tuned lowering springs and a high-carbon, spring-steel rear sway bar; results include a
• 1 inch lower ride height as well as quicker turn-in, improved steering response, superior cornering ability and notably upgraded maneuverability.
• Custom badging and PLUS logo floor mats.

Significantly, this is just the first offering from Toyota’s new PLUS accessories brand, which will continue to develop aftermarket solutions that raise the bar for performance handling and aggressive style in the hybrid segments, but without sacrificing fuel efficiency.

The new Prius PLUS Performance Package is compatible with all current Prius models and is available for ordering right now with an MSRP of $3,699 for the Prius Two, Three and Four, and $2,999 for the Prius Five.