Skip to main content

Toyota to reveal the 2016 Prius in Vegas next week, but we’ve got the livestream right here

2016 Toyota Prius leak
Green Car Reports
We often associate cars with locations because certain vehicles encapsulate the essence of a particular state or city. The Ford F-150 and Texas is a good example of this. The Toyota Prius and Las Vegas? Not so much.

Regardless of the connection, Sin City is where Toyota has chosen to unveil the all-new 2016 Prius, and Digital Trends will be there reporting live. The event is media only, though, so the brand has set up a livestream link where hybrid fans and critics alike can see the sheets come off with the rest of us. The event kicks off at 8:55 p.m. PDT on Sept. 8, and you can watch it below.

Recommended Videos

As you can see from the leaked photos, the fourth-generation Prius will boast a new, ultra-modern look with styling cues taken from the Mirai hydrogen car and even the Lexus LFA. The car will reportedly ride on Toyota’s New Global Architecture (TNGA) as well, which means it will be lighter and more efficient than the current model. Conformation won’t come until the reveal, but the Prius is expected to feature an upgraded battery back, improved fuel efficiency to over 50 mpg, and an electric range that encompasses the current car’s EV capability of 11 miles.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

Optional all-wheel drive is a good bet as well, as is a revamped interior, inductive charging capabilities, and a more powerful engine. The 2015 model year Prius boasts a combined output of 134 horsepower, but the 2016 variant could see that number increase to 145 or 150 horsepower. Whatever engine lies under the Prius’ hood, it will transfer power to the ground via a continuously variable transmission with four modes: Normal, Power, Eco, and EV.

For more, keep it locked right here as we inch toward the all-new Prius’ unveiling.

Andrew Hard
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…
Mini’s infotainment system is very charming, but still needs work
Main screen of the Mini infotainment system

When you think Mini, you probably don’t think of infotainment. Personally, I think of the British flag taillights, the distinct exterior, and the surprising room on the inside. But after driving the Mini John Cooper Works Countryman over the past week, infotainment might well be something I think of more often when it comes to Mini. It’s charming.

It also, however, suffers from all the traps that other legacy automakers fall into when it comes to software design. Mini has something on its hands here — but it still needs some work.
Bringing the charm
The first thing that stood out to me about the system when I got in the car was how fun it was. That all starts with the display. It’s round! No, it’s not curved — the screen is a big, round display sits in at 9.4 inches, and I found it plenty large enough for day-to-day use.

Read more
Plug-in hybrids are becoming more popular. Why? And will it continue?
Kia Niro EV Charging Port

There's a lot of talk about the idea that the growth in electric car sales has kind of slowed a little. It's not all that surprising -- EVs are still expensive, early adopters all have one by now, and they're still new enough to where there aren't too many ultra-affordable used EVs available. But plenty of people still want a greener vehicle, and that has given rise to an explosion in hybrid vehicle sales.

That's especially true of plug-in hybrid vehicles, which can be charged like an EV and driven in all-electric mode for short distances, and have a gas engine as a backup for longer distances or to be used in combination with electric mode for more efficient driving.

Read more
EV drivers are not going back to gas cars, global survey says
ev drivers are not going back to gas cars global survey says screenshot

Nearly all current owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are either satisfied or very satisfied with the experience, and 92% of them plan to buy another EV, according to a survey by the Global EV Drivers Alliance.

The survey of 23,000 EV drivers worldwide found that only 1% would return to a petrol or diesel car, while 4% would opt for a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) if they had to replace their car.

Read more