Toyota will replace the current Prius over the next two years with an all-new model, and the first details we are hearing about it suggest good things are happening. The first-gen Prius kick started the whole hybrid business, and now Toyota says they are going to redefine it with the new one.

Toyota is going to address everything that is wrong with the current model. So the next Prius will be nicer to look at, faster, better-equipped, and crucially, more economical. The powertain will be modified to be more efficient, while making more power. They are talking about 90mpg and CO2 emissions of under 70 g/km.

Those figures are going to be even better for the plug-in version, which is set to deliver 134mpg and 49g/km. The plug-in will get advanced lithium-ion batteries, while the normal model will preserve its old nickel-metal units.

The next Toyota Prius will also get new looks. Green cars are getting prettier and cooler, so Toyota needs to come up with something good if they want to stay in the game. The new car will be lower, wider, and more edgy and aggressive than the current model.

The new Prius could also get a 4WD system, or rather an e-4WD. The 1.8 liter petrol engine will drive the front wheels, while an electric motor on the rear axle feeds the back wheels.

via AutoExpress