Toyota's Prius family is expanding downwards and the new Prius c, with compact dimensions and a distinct design, promises to deliver extremely low mileage.

Investing more and more in hybrid technology, Toyota reveals the new Prius c. It is the smallest model of the Prius family, which will be available in Japan at the end of December, while in the U.S. and we will see Europe from within it 2012 and later. Its dimensions (length: 3,995 m., width: 1,695 m., wheelbase: 2,55 m.) they place it in the small category and in particular, slightly above the Toyota Yaris (+100 mm. in length and wheelbase, same width). By design, the body of the Prius c maintains several similarities with that of our familiar Prius (mainly in the front part, in the roof arches and windows), with the final result being considered quite modern and unique.

The new Toyota Prius c will bring a new and smaller hybrid drive system compared to the rest of the Prius family models. This system will consist of a gasoline engine 1,5 liter (performance 74 horses) and a powerful electric motor 61 horses. The combined efficiency of the system is expected to be in the 100 horsepower, although Toyota has yet to announce the exact number. In everything,regarding consumption, based on Japanese – and different from European – specifications and measurements, its average value will be at 2,8 lt./100 km. This number is remarkably low, but in,what about the European Prius c, expected to be slightly larger. We will know more from next year, when Toyota will also provide more information about the smaller Prius. It's a given anyway, that the Prius c when launched, it will be the cheapest hybrid in the company's range.