Japanese carmaker Toyota has announced plans to reduce CO2 emissions to less than 100g/km in its next-generation Prius .
The Prius, due for release in 2009, will have to topple the current lowest-CO2 emitting car – the Volkswagen Polo Bluemotion, which puts out just 99g/km of carbon dioxide .
VW’s low levels were achieved by using a small diesel engine, skinny tyres and a series of weight-saving and aerodynamic modifications over the standard car .
Toyota’s current petrol-electric Prius emits 104g/km of carbon dioxide, but Toyota GB chief executive Miguel Fonseca has predicted that figure will be reduced, due to a similar weight-saving programme as Volkswagen’s.
Speaking about the next-generation Prius, Fonseca commented: "We expect a figure of between 90 and 99g/km of carbon dioxide ."
In addition, Fonseca said the company’s IQ concept car, which was revealed this week at the Frankfurt motor show, could create a new sector for itself.
"We invented the compact 4x4 segment with the RAV4 and I see this car doing the same thing - inventing a whole new sector," he said.
