The fifth-generation Toyota Prius is expected to be revealed on November 16, six months after the iconic hybrid model was discontinued in Australia.
A new-generation 2023 Toyota Prius is due to be unveiled next week, but plans for the petrol-electric hybrid car’s Australian return are unclear.
In a post on Instagram, the Japanese division of Toyota uploaded two teaser images of its upcoming model with “hybrid reborn” writing on its bodywork – with styling similar to prototypes of the next Prius spied testing.
Toyota’s Japanese website also includes a dedicated page for the new model, displaying a silhouette akin to that seen in spy images – and reminiscent of today’s Prius – and confirmation of the November 16 reveal date.
As previously reported, a hybrid car – believed to be the fifth-generation Prius – was recently spotted undergoing testing near Toyota’s headquarters in Japan, sharing design cues with the car giant’s electric ‘BZ’ range.
While the first three generations of Toyota Prius have each been sold for six years – launched in 1997, 2003 and 2009 – the fourth-generation car has experienced a longer life cycle, launching in 2015, and receiving an update in 2018.
Australian plans for the new Toyota Prius are not yet clear, given the car-maker’s local division axed the current model from its line-up earlier this year – ending its 21-year run in local showrooms.
Last year, Toyota reported 77 examples of the Prius as sold – just 1.5 per cent of all hybrid cars delivered in Australia in 2021.
Between 2001 and 2022, Toyota sold approximately 35,000 examples of the Prius to Australian customers, reaching a peak of 3413 sales in 2008.
Despite the significance of the Prius, the popularity of new hybrid models means it has accounted for less than 12 per cent of Toyota’s 300,000-plus hybrid sales with more of the car-maker’s models becoming electrified.
Toyota’s Australian line-up now includes eight hybrid models – C-HR, Camry, Corolla, Corolla Cross, Kluger, RAV4, Yaris and Yaris Cross.
The post 2023 Toyota Prius teased ahead of next week’s reveal, Australian plans unclear appeared first on Drive.