July launch date for Toyota’s seven-seat hybrid

Toyota’s hybrid expansion into new areas of the market will continue in July with the launch of the Prius+ people-carrier.

Dubbed Europe’s first full hybrid seven-seat MPV, the car will cost from £26,195.

The Prius+ is Toyota’s first mainstream hybrid to use a lighter and more compact lithium-ion battery pack.

Combining the light weight and improved aerodynamics with the Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain results in the Prius+ in T4 form returning a 96g/km CO2 emissions figure.

Toyota points out that this makes its newcomer the only seven-seat model in the UK to produce less than the 100g/km CO2 cut-off for zero road tax and London Congestion Charge exemption.

In the more upmarket of the two trim levels, T Spirit, the car just misses the cut off with CO2 figures of 101g/km.

T4 model standard equipment includes electric windows all round, Toyota Touch touchscreen control, Bluetooth connectivity, a rear-view camera, head-up display, Smart Entry and Start, panoramic roof and automatic air conditioning.

The T Spirit, costing from £29,495, offers 17-inch alloy wheels, Toyota’s Touch and Go Plus infotainment system with a sat-nav, voice recognition, advanced Bluetooth and online connectivity, rain sensing wipers, a JBL audio system and leather upholstery.

Order books are open now for both models, with first deliveries from 9th July.

Words by: James Charman