2012 Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius Hybrid is being updated for 2012 with a  new-look front end and higher quality interior. The car also gets higher equipment specifications, including Toyota Touch interface and Touch & Go Plus multimedia and navigation system. Their popular full hybrid powertrain continues to deliver the lowest CO₂ emissions in its class at 89g/km and the updated car improves ride quality, steering feel and overall vehicle dynamics.

Toyota has plans to introduce full hybrid technology across its core model range, and the Prius is still the trend setter for quality, performance and is the world’s best-known and best-selling hybrid vehicle. Not only does the 2012 Prius emit only 89g/km CO₂ emissions (the lowest level in its class), it has a  combined cycle fuel economy of 72.4mpg. The figures for models running on 17-inch wheels remain at 92g/km and 70.6mpg.

Inside the car

The front of the 2012 Prius has been given a new look, which is in line with Toyota’s new design approach, while in the cabin there are new front seats, new upholstery and new soft-touch surfaces that combine to give a higher quality feel.

Equipment levels have also been raised, notably with the introduction as a standard on all grades of the Toyota Touch touchscreen control system. The more advanced Toyota Touch & Go Plus multimedia and navigation system is a standard feature on Prius T Spirit and an option onT₃ & T₄. This technology brings with it Bluetooth, a rear-view camera, USB port and an on-board connectivity feature that allows access to a range of on-line information services sourced through Google Local Search, using a compatible mobile phone.

UK sales of the revised Prius 2012 model range will begin in March, with on-the-road prices from £21,350. And, later in the year, the ultra-efficient Prius Plug-in Hybrid and Prius+, the world’s first seven-seat full hybrid MPV will be added to the range.

Prius 2012 Prices, VED and insurance

Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid

LeasePlan has just taken delivery of a brand new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, on loan, for internal staff and also for their customers to try out the car before its official launch next year.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a high capacity lithium-ion battery powering the electric motor and a 1.8-litre petrol engine combination, to offer CO2 emissions of just 49g/km and a combined fuel consumption of 134.5mpg. If you drive on electric power alone the range is 14 miles and a charge from a normal household socket takes 90 minutes.

David Brennan, managing director LeasePlan UK, said,”We have enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Toyota, and we are all excited to see what this innovative new model can bring to the table. This trial will represent another step in delivering the best possible value and innovation to our clients across the UK”.

Toyota Enthusiasts Club

The Toyota Enthusiasts Club was founded by in 1991 by Nik Ellis and Bob Willis, who both shared an appreciation for Toyota cars. Last weekend the club celebrated its 20th anniversary at its annual meeting at Billing Aquadrome, near Northampton, with around 45 classic Toyotas on show.

The club has around 150 members and some of the cars that turned up included a 1970′s Hiace Campervan driven by Raf Evers from Belguim, who also owns 36 Toyota vehicles in total. Other classic models at the event included the Cressida, Crown, Corolla, with a classic Toyota Celica ST from 1977, 1985 Celica Supra and an Avon Celica cabriolet version headlining the show.

If you own a classic Toyota and you are interested in joining the TEC then you can get more details off their website which can be found at www.toyotaenthusiasts.com . However, if you are interested in a brand new Toyota car (Avensis, Aygo, iQ, Prius ,Yaris, RAV-4, etc) then of course we have Toyota contract hire prices on the site now.

Toyota hybrid and electric vehicles

An independent European consumer study by Automotive Business Intelligence company EurotaxGlass’s and UK research institute Harris Interactive has found that Toyota is by far the first choice for hybrids and electric vehicles.

Toyota stood out in all European markets with 31% of those interviewed, who had expressed an interest in electric or hybrid vehicles, said that Toyota had the highest brand awareness. When asked to name an electric or hybrid brand, 15% named Toyota, with only 6% naming the closest rival hybrid manufacturer. You can easily search for all Toyota hybrid and electric vehicles (Prius, Auris Hybrid,Yaris) using the Vehicle Type leasing shopper.

Toyota Prius+

Toyota will be focussing on their significant improvements in hybrid technology plus they will be launching some new hybrid models at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. Toyota’s show stand is being devoted to Hybrid Synergy Drive technologies and includes plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles and also fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

Yaris HSD hybrid

The show will see the world debut of the Yaris HSD hybrid concept which brings green technology to the B-segment class, Europe’s largest market vehicle sector. This latest hybrid includes all the hybrid-specific styling cues and forward thinking designs for the future.

Toyota will also be showing the Prius+ which offers seven seats in a full hybrid powertrain and offers more accommodation and load space than its sister model, the standard Prius. This new model follows on from the launch of the Prius v hybrid MPV in North America last month.

In addition Toyota is also demonstrating their wide range of hybrid technologies which can be used in Plug-in-Hybrids (PHV), Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles (FCHV).

EV technology

Toyota is set to unveil a new RAV4 EV (electric vehicle) SUV Concept at the forthcoming Los Angeles Auto Show which starts on the 17th November. The full vehicle specifications, pictures and technical data will also be released then.

Tesla technology

The car has been developed in conjunction with Tesla Motors with the new RAV4 EV being brought to the US market in 2012. Toyota is already leading the way with efficient and alternative models such as the Prius and Auris hybrid and has plans to further reduce CO2 emissions by focussing on fossil free technology. The current Prius, Auris hybrid and standard RAV4 are all available now on Toyota business car leasing.

City Car Club

The new Glasgow City Car Club has recently launched and has chosen Prius and Auris hybid cars to offer the world’s greenest commercial car club. The hourly car and van rental company has nine hybrid models across the city and plans to increase this to twenty cars.

Both the Prius and Auris hybrids are clean and efficient choices, offering CO2 emissions of just 89g/km and a combined mpg of 70+ thanks to their hybrid powertrain. Zero emissions can be obtained by running solely on electric power. The City Car Club provides members with 24-hour access to self-service cars which you can book and reserve online or over the phone if you prefer. It already has a successful operation in Edinburgh with 4,000 members and a fleet of 100 cars. Across the UK, City Car Club has a membership base of 20,000 and over 500 cars and vans.

Toyota Aygo

The J.D Power and Associates/WhatCar? Vehicle Ownership Study (VOSS), has show Toyota maintaining its fifth placed ranking, but up nine points. The star performers however were the Aygo and Yaris which achieved top ranking in VOSS City Car and Small car categories (Yaris equal top ranked). The full hybrid Prius was second ranked in the Upper Medium Car category and the Verso and RAV4 were voted third-ranked MPV and SUV.

Toyota Yaris

The study was conducted from owners who had used their cars for around two years old. Jon Williams, Toyota Commercial Director, said: “These study results are all the more important as they are based on the real-world experiences of vehicle owners. Toyota is committed to delivering quality, reliability, durability and owner-appeal in all its models, supported by competitive low running costs”. Toyota contract hire on the full range of cars, vans and pick-ups is available now.

The award is in recognition of the technical advances that Toyota has made with the third generation Prius, which delivers more power with even better fuel efficiency and lower emissions, from its full hybrid powertrain.

Auris HSD Hybrid

Toyota is unveiling their new Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept car at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and this new model will take centre stage at the Toyota stand.

This is a milestone for Toyota as they have introduced full hybrid technology into a mainstream model and is the first step in rolling out their Hybrid Synergy Drive across the company’s whole range of vehicles.

Other models on the Toyota stand at Frankfurt include the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, enabling pure electric car operation for short range day-to day transportation.

Prius Plug-in

Toyota plans to trial 150 of these models in 2010 which will be leased to selective fleet customers. 

In addition to the all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota will also be showing two customised iQ cars, namely iQ for Sports and iQ for Collection.

iQ Sports