Toyota Prius C spied

By Jack Rix

06th June 2011

Size matters when it comes to the Prius. We've already driven the larger Prius + this week, you can read that review here, and now our team of spies has caught the compact new Prius C out testing for the first time.

Previewed by the Prius C concept from the Detroit show in January this year, the newcomer will be the smallest and most efficient member of the family when it goes on sale in 2012 - it should also be the most affordable.

Despite the all-over chequered camouflage, it's immediately obvious that this prototype's design has been toned-down from the Detroit concept. The five-door layout remains, but the bonnet has grown in length with the headlights mounted nearer the leading edge. The concept's bold indent running along the shoulder line also appears to have been smoothed out.

Reports suggest the finished product will be around 50cm shorter than the standard Prius, and although there are no official details on the powertrain, a petrol-electric setup but with a smaller combustion engine, possibly a 1.5-litre instead of a 1.8, is expected. Either way Toyota claims this will be the most efficient non plug-in hybrid on the market when it arrives next year - so expect CO2 emissions of around 80g/km.

It will provide Toyota with a rival to Honda's sporty CRZ hybrid - confirmed by the fact that a CRZ was spotted seen following this test mule around - presumably for benchmarking purposes. A Mazda2 was also present for comparison, proving the baby Prius is aiming to be not only the cleanest, but one of the most dynamic cars in its class.