Toyota to unveil 2012 Prius at Auto Expo

Toyota will launch the updated Prius in 2012. The company will showcase the 2012 model at the Auto Expo. The Toyota Prius continues to lead the market for hybrid automobiles that it started 15 years ago.

The third-generation Prius, which was all-new for the 2010 model year, gains updated headlamps and tail lamps, plus a new front fascia and bumper for 2012, 15-inch wheel covers for 2012 and standard LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL).

Internationally the 2012 Prius will be widely available in the numerically named Two, Three, Four and Five trim levels.

For 2012, the Two trim gets redesigned 15-inch wheels, a revised multi-information display and, most importantly, a standard 6.1-inch touch-screen display that includes a USB port and Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming.

The Three trim now has a standard navigation system with integrated backup camera; previously it was an option. The Three also gets Toyota’s new Entune multimedia system. The passive entry system has been upgraded to work with three doors on the vehicle instead of just one.

The Four trim now has the standard navigation, too, along with Toyota’s new SofTex upholstery, a leatherette material the carmaker says is as durable as cloth and more environmentally friendly to produce than leather. There’s also a new eight-way power driver’s seat (up from six) and a redesigned eight-speaker JBL stereo.

The Five trim gets no new updates, excluding the features that were added to the Three and Four trims. The trim tops the lineup with automatic LED headlamps and 17-inch alloy wheels. Head-up display, premium navigation, adaptive cruise control, lane mitigation software and a pre-collision warning system are available on the Five trim only.

The Indian market may get a combination of the above trims with leather seating option as available in the current Prius.