Toyota to launch a Prius sub-brand

After years of speculation, Toyota has officially announced plans to launch a Prius sub-brand. While details are limited, the first new model will be the 2012 Prius v.


Designed for "growing families with active lifestyles," the MPV is instantly recognizable as a Prius as it boasts familiar bodywork and standard 16-inch alloy wheels (17-inchers are optional). Despite the déjà vu styling, the car has a relatively large footprint as it measures 181.7 inches long, 69.9 inches wide and 62.0 inches tall. More importantly, the v rides on a 109.4 inch wheelbase which translates into a spacious cabin that has "generous rear legroom" and 34.3 cubic feet (971.2 liters) of cargo capacity behind the rear seats.


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