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Toyota has given new details about the Prius plug-in hybrid concept before debuting it at Frankfurt International Show. The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid concept will be leased early next year for the first 500 cars.

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid concept comes with a 97hp 1.8-liter four-cylinder petrol engine combined with an advanced lithium-ion battery (replacement to the nickel-metal hydrides version in normal Priuses).

The electric mode gives the car speed up to 62mph (100km/h) for range of 12.5 miles (20km). The information on EV driving mode is presented through a Hybrid System Indicator.

According to Toyota the new Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept is cleaner with less than 60 g/km of CO2 emissions. This green performance is the result of the using of an Electro Multi-Vision screen. It is also easier with one-and-a-half hours to charge using a 230v power supply

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Honda Insight was the best selling car in Japan for just one month, April of 2009. Toyota Prius takes over it for the best selling car in Japan for May and makes the Honda Insight in the third position after the Honda Fit in the second position. Toyota Prius registered almost 11.000 units (10,915), the 2010 Honda Fit with 8.859 and the 2010 Honda Insight at 8,183.

Toyota cut prices in Japan for the 2010 Prius to defeat its competitor, the Honda Insight. This strategy proved successfully as well as the company reported that they have 80,000 orders for the 2010 Toyota Prius by the time the car went on sale May 18.

Whether Toyota Prius that has just released in late May in USA will continue its dominance over Honda Insight? All will be clear in early July.

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Toyota Prius hybrid (2010) has been released in Japan. According to the company their third-generation hybrid vehicle has made 80.000 orders. The Honda Insight’s strongest competitor is not only better in fuel consumption as Toyota has made amount refinement but also sportier as Toyota has released the styling package under Modellista brand. Amazingly the Modellista styling package will not change the Prius’s fuel consumption. It will be still 51mpg in the city, 48mpg on the highway and 50mpg for a combined cycle.

Modellista styling package for the Prius is available in three trims including the Aero Tourer, Version 1 and Version 2. The Aero Tourer is the sportiest version which is equipped with a custom front bumper, side skirts, and new exhaust tips. The other specs include a range of performance kits including lowered coil springs, a less restrictive muffler and 16in alloy wheels.

It is such as a perfect hybrid vehicle. Unfortunately the Japanese car has not been planned to hit the other market considering the limited availability of Modellista kits.

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