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Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid to make UK debut at 2016 MPG Marathon

Toyota’s second-generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid is to get an exclusive first drive in next week’s MPG Marathon in advance of its launch next year.

The newNew Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

The new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid will make its UK debut at the 2016 MPG Marathon

The pre-production model arrives straight from its stand at the Paris Motor Show, where it made its European debut last month, and aims to double the EV driving range of the original Plug-in Hybrid to 30 miles, with a combined cycle MPG figure of 282.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 22g/km (subject to final homologation).

“As pioneers and global leaders in hybrid technology as well as the first manufacturer in the world to introduce Plug-in hybrid, the second generation Prius Plug-in raises the bar in terms of vehicle efficiency,” said Neil Broad, Toyota’s general manager of fleet and remarketing.

On sale from spring 2017, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be put to the test at the MPG Marathon, which takes place on 18-19 October and is based at the Heythrop Park Resort in Oxfordshire.

“We’re delighted that Toyota has taken the opportunity to demonstrate its future technology on the event, ahead of its UK on-sale date,” said event organiser, Jerry Ramsdale. “It goes to show how much the MPG Marathon has become recognised by the industry as a shop window into the world of efficient low and zero emissions vehicles. It’s astonishing to think how far cars have come since the event began, and this is a perfect example of how they’ve grown to be cleaner and greener.”

Sponsored by ALD Automotive, RAC Business and Crystal Ball, a provider of fleet management and telematics systems, the MPG Marathon will task competitors with planning their own routes to four different venues across the heart of the country, including a visit to the iconic Silverstone racing circuit in Northamptonshire, home to the British Grand Prix.

Their aim will be to achieve the highest possible MPG figure for their vehicle of choice, with prizes being awarded for those that achieve not just the best overall MPG figure, but also the most significant improvement over the manufacturer’s quoted figure.

Other vehicles highlights at the event include the University of Birmingham’s hydrogen fuel-cell powered Hyundai iX35, announced as an entrant last month, which provides a window into the future of fuel efficient driving. Meanwhile the Ford Mustang V8 will be proving a very different message about fuel efficient driving – demonstrating that, with the correct driving style, even a performance car can be parsimonious.

Although the 2016 MPG Marathon is already heavily subscribed, there are a limited number of places still available for vehicle manufacturers, fleet operators, dealer groups or even individuals to take part.

To find out more about the event, or to enter, go to www.thempgmarathon.co.uk

For more of the latest industry news, click here.

Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.