Toyota Delays U.S. Launch of 2012 Prius V Until Mid-October

TORRANCE, California — Toyota said its new 2012 Prius V will arrive in the U.S. in mid-October, targeting "young families with active lifestyles."

The U.S. launch is several months later than the original late-summer date, following Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The Prius V made its public debut in January at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show

While the Japan and European versions of the Prius V will get a new lithium-ion battery pack, the U.S. edition will make do with an older-style nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Toyota executives said the lithium-ion battery would have increased the cost of the car to U.S. customers without providing better fuel economy.

The 2012 Prius V is rated by the EPA at 44 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 42 mpg combined.

Toyota has not released prices, but said it expects to sell about 25,000 Prius Vs in the U.S., mainly to younger families with one or two children.

Unlike the versions in Japan and Europe, the Prius V will not come with an optional third-row seat in the U.S., but will provide accommodations for five persons in two rows. One Toyota executive said American consumers who need seating for seven "are shopping one class up."

At the car's media launch last week in California, Toyota Division General Manager Bob Carter said, "The anticipated demographic is going to be similar to current Prius with one exception — families with young children, that have primarily two kids. A lot of them are migrating to SUVs for the utility. They want the efficiency of the Prius, but the liftback just doesn't have the kind of room they're looking for. We've monitored people who are interested in the Prius, and some have rejected it because it just needs a little more capacity, room for the family lifestyle. We think [sales are] going to be largely incremental, but there will be some Prius replacement."

Carter said the Prius V "provides more cargo space than 80 percent of all small SUVs," with 34.3 cubic feet behind the rear seats.

The second-row seat is a 60/40 split-folding bench that also slides fore and aft. The front passenger seat also folds flat to hold longer items. In addition, Toyota has sprinkled storage spaces throughout the cabin, including dual gloveboxes, a center console utility tray and five cupholders in large and medium sizes, as well as storage units built into the sides and under the cargo platform, plus a space for umbrellas under the second row.

Toyota addresses the needs of younger families with such features as a USB port with full iPod integration, a Bluetooth wireless connection, voice recognition and a choice of audio systems, including a premium JBL system that bundles navigation and the automaker's Entune multimedia system. Entune provides support for mobile apps on smart phones so that users can access live weather, traffic and other travel-related services.

Among the options on Prius V are a panoramic moonroof with power retractable sunshades, LED headlamps and 17-inch wheels and tires.

The Prius V uses the same 134-horsepower gasoline/electric hybrid system as the standard Prius. The new car's suspension system has been redesigned to compensate for the longer wheelbase and additional mass, while providing better ride comfort and control.

Standard safety features include seven airbags, electronic tire pressure monitoring, stability and traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brakeforce distribution, plus Toyota's new Smart Stop brake-override system. Among the safety options are a pre-collision system, a vehicle proximity notification system and Toyota's Safety Connect emergency communications system.

Inside Line says: A larger Prius for growing families.