Toyota unveils the new fourth-generation Prius

.related-stories { display: none !important; }

ars.AD.queue.push(["xrailTop", {sz:"300x251", kws:["bottom"], collapse: true}]);Toyota is arguably the company most well-known for hybrid cars. In 1997 the Japanese automaker was the first to bring a hybrid car to market* with the Prius, a vehicle that has become synonymous with wanting to save the planet. Last night in Las Vegas, Toyota took the wraps off the newest iteration of that car.

The fourth-generation Prius will have a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy over the outgoing model. Toyota attributes this to lighter hybrid components, a more thermally efficient internal combustion engine, and higher energy density batteries. The company claims the new Prius will be the most efficient non plug-in hybrid available, once it goes on sale early next year. There will also be an Eco version of the car, although we don't have any details about that model yet.

Looks-wise, the car is an evolution of the outgoing model, but shares some design language with the ungainly looking Mirai—Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell car—from the rear. The company also claims the new car will be fun to drive. A lowered center of gravity, double wishbone suspension at the back, and a stiffer chassis all contributing to do their part. We'll have to wait until next year, when we can get some seat time, to find out if this is true.