The report says Toyota will keep the price of the Prius MPV at a similar level to current hatch variants, and hopes the new, larger hybrid vehicle will help strengthen its lead in the hybrid vehicle market.

Offering a more spacious, taller and longer interior, the Prius hybrid MPV will likely feature three rows of seats for carrying five to seven passengers. It is also reported to feature sliding doors. Most other technical and drivetrain specifications are believed to remain unchanged.

The vehicle’s battery packs will initially be produced in-house at Toyota’s Teiho plant in Aichi Prefecture, with subsequent units to be made in conjunction with Panasonic EV Energy Company, as demand increases.

Lithium-ion batteries have the advantage of being able to store more electricity than their nickel-metal hydride counterparts, enabling them more endurance from a single charge.

CarAdvice will keep you posted on any developments on the Prius hybrid MPV as they come to hand.

The car’s sheetmetal is also more deeply sculpted, with lines similar to those seen on the new Hyundai ix35.

At this point, little more is known about the next-generation Hyundai Accent, though we can expect a mix of petrol and diesel powerplants. A Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) hybrid variant, similar to the Kia Forte LP1 Hybrid (Kia Cerato LPI Hybrid in some markets), is also a strong possibility.

(With Autonews & Auto Ifeng)

The near-premium car lines from the two French brands are part of a trend by automakers to try to generate extra revenue and higher margins by offering upscale niche models using mass-market platforms.

The RCZ coupe (pictured), which goes on sale in June, is Peugeot’s first hors-série model. Based on the 308 compact hatchback, it will be built by contract manufacturer Magna Steyr in Austria.

PSA/Peugeot-Citroen’s brand boss Jean-Marc Gales said Peugeot will use the French words hors-série in all markets where it sells the model line without translation. Hors-série designates cars built out (hors) of mass production (série).

Gales noted that Volkswagen uses the German words Das Auto as a marketing slogan in European markets outside its home market of Germany.

He said there are three price points in the European market: low cost, mainstream and more distinctive. “PSA does not have low-cost models. We traditionally cover the mainstream area with the Citroen and Peugeot brands. The DS and hors-série car lines will expand our coverage into the more distinctive portion,” Gales told Automotive News Europe.

Peugeot will debut its second hors-série model next year. It will be a station wagon variant of the single model that will replace the 407 and 607. Likely to be called the 508, the replacement sedan will be unveiled at the Paris auto show in October.

Gales did not give any details of the third hors-série model due in 2012.

Citroen launched sales of its first DS model, the DS3, this month. The DS name harks back to Citroen’s first DS, which launched in 1955 and became a 20th century automotive icon.

The DS3 is a three-door, more upscale variant to the five-door C3 subcompact. The DS4, based on the new C4 compact car, is due in early 2011. At the Geneva auto show earlier this month, Citroen unveiled the three-door DS High Rider hybrid concept car, which heralds the forthcoming DS4.

A third DS model, which reports say will be a crossover based on the next C5 mid-sized model, is due in 2012.

source from europe.autonews.com