It's been a closely-kept secret for months but Toyota Prius 2016 spy shots have finally offered a glimpse at how the plug-in hybrid could look like. From the looks of it, the EV has borrowed design cues from the Mirai FCV.
2016 @Toyota #prius caught totally uncovered https://t.co/CGOw2MMI9s pic.twitter.com/YuGTDE8Vnk
— Autoblog.com (@therealautoblog) August 21, 2015
Autoblog noted how the 2016 Prius' front end has been sharpened like the hydrogen-powered Mirai FCV.
"It's tough to tell without seeing the car in person, but the new Prius seems longer, perhaps for improved aerodynamics, while keeping the expected 'Prius' profile," the website said.
As can be seen from the spy shots, the new Prius has a floating roof design thanks to a blackened C-pillar. Also of note are its sharp, angular headlights.
The face of the new 2016 #Toyota Prius. https://t.co/OrMkDZsB7P pic.twitter.com/MbD9mkmBbd — Green Car Reports (@GreenCarReports) August 21, 2015
The Toyota Prius 2016 spy shots also reveal a departure from the side profile which has identified the second and third-gen models, according to Green Car Reports.
"The rear styling of the Prius, although not completely covered here, shows some daring new creasing in the rear fenders - and appears to confirm that Toyota has gotten more aero-adventurous with the look but kept the Mirai's multi-level oddness to a minimum."
The website also reported that plug-in versions of the Prius are expected to go up to 30 to 35 miles, up from 11 miles, in electric-only mode.
Since its US debut in 2001, The Los Angeles Times said Toyota's plug-in hybrid has been the best-selling vehicle in its class "having sold more than 1.8 million units."
Reportedly, combined Prius sales amounted to 207,635 units or 42 percent of the hybrid market last year.
The Japanese automaker hasn't revealed much detail on the Toyota Prius 2016. What is known so far is that it will arrive in dealerships by year-end in hatchback form first, followed by wagon and compact models.
The recent Toyota Prius 2016 spy shots are line with what Toyota president Akido Toyoda said that the next-gen hybrid will feature a more "heart-racing" design, according to Autoblog. The new Prius will be previewed at a Toyota dealers conference in Las Vegas on September 8, The LA Times said.
