Toyota Prius

The covers are off the third generation Toyota Prius! Boasting a sleeker body, a totally revised and updated petrol-electric powertrain and a host of other innovations, the latest Prius is set to cement its status as the world's best-selling hybrid.

Launched at the Detroit Motor Show, the new model faces fierce competition from the Honda Insight in 2009, so Toyota has pulled out all the stops to make this Prius the best yet. And in comes a sportier body with a front end that takes design cues from the Aygo and Yaris small cars, together with sharper creases and a lower roof.

The shape is a lot sleeker than the outgoing model and the result is amazing aerodynamic efficiency – Toyota claims a drag coefficient of just 0.25, which makes the new Prius the most slippery car on the road today.

Under the bonnet is a new, more powerful engine – a 1.8-litre four-cylinder unit producing 98bhp. This is backed up by a more efficient hybrid system and together the two power sources kick out 134bhp. As a result, 0-62mph takes 9.8 seconds and thanks to the slippery aerodynamics and less stressed engine, the new Prius returns 50mpg combined – a 4mpg improvement on its predecessor. It also emits less than 100g/km of CO2.

Although the old model's batteries are carried over, Toyota has focused on improving efficiencies elsewhere with a new air-conditioning system and low-energy LED headlights. The air-con system is ingenious –  in conjunction with solar panels integrated in the roof, the cabin is kept cool by using energy from the sun. In fact, the air-con system is so efficient it never has to use energy from the petrol engine, running on battery power alone. 

A new dashboard with a revised multi-function display showing energy flow around the car, a floating centre console and improved materials, mark out the major changes inside. Expect UK sales to begin in late 2009.