Cheap Toyota hybrid on the way

The Toyota Prius is as synonymous with the hybrid car as Coke is with the cola drink, but despite its popularity many are put off by its high price relative to other hatchbacks. That could be set to change, though, as Toyota has confirmed that it is working on a hybrid version of the smaller Yaris supermini.

The same Hybrid Synergy Drive technology that allows the Prius to achieve its impressive mpg figures will power the Yaris-based car, but it will be engineered to cost far less by using a smaller engine and a lighter battery pack.

Hybrid Synergy Drive is Toyota's marketing term for mating an electric motor with a petrol engine. It's possible at slow speeds to move on electric power alone, with the engine kicking in relatively seamlessly when required for more power, or to charge the battery.

Set to hit showrooms in 2011, the newcomer will likely achieve even better fuel economy and CO₂ emissions than the new Prius thanks to being lighter, and it should undercut the bigger car's price by a few thousand pounds. Naturally, Toyota is keen to steal sales back from the new Honda Insight, which was launched recently and is significantly cheaper than the Prius.

Mark Nichol