Toyota Romania will start selling in September the newest Prius generation. The price will revolve around 25.000 euros. The new Prius is lighter, has a more powerful engine than the previous generation and the producer claims it also consumes less petrol.

The new Prius has a 1.8 litres engine and an electric engine. The Producers says that this new generation mean mixed petrol consumption is less than the other generation: 3.9 litres/100 km against 4 litres/100 km.

The car is 4.46 meters long, the tank can hold up to 45 litres, its maximum speed is 180 km/hour and it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10.4 seconds.

Toyota sold around 160,000 Prius worldwide last year, 43,000 of which in Europe. The aim for 2009 in Europe is 70.000 cars, with 5 to 10 thousands sold Prius.

Toyota Prius was launched in Romania in 2006, selling only 12 cars, while in 2007 sold 37. Last year, Prius attracted 60 clients. The first generation of the hybrid car was launched 12 years ago in Japan.

Toyota Romania saw their sales dropping 69% during the first semester, from 5,000 cars to 1,500. Prius had four clients.

Honda recently launched a new hybrid model in Romania - Insight - which costs around 21,400 euros, including VAT.