Hybrid family headed for the green Detroit Auto Show

Japanese automaker Toyota has racheted up the excitement surrounding next week's Detroit Auto Show by a few notches, announcing a new line of models for its successful Prius series.

Among a host of other debuts and product announcements expected at the show, Toyota will stage the "world premiere of the Prius family of vehicles," meaning that the world's best-selling hybrid is about to get a sibling.

From the teaser videos released by the firm, the likelihood seems to be that the new model will be a 5-door family car, slightly larger than the current hatchback.

In the most recent of these videos, professional skateboarder Bob Burnquist promises that the latest model offers 50 percent more cargo room, saying that he is "looking forward to a bigger car without compromising the sustainability factor."

Other models on show in the "Prius family" will include the third generation (current) hybrid, the new plug-in hybrid and a Prius-based concept, details of which have not been confirmed.

Detroit, for years the home of America's iconic gas-guzzling automakers, is set to turn over a new leaf when the North American International Auto Show opens its doors to the public for the 23rd time on January 15.

Alongside the automakers showcasing new vehicles will be a new exhibit named "Smarter Living in Michigan", which showcases everything from LED lights to wind turbines in a "Town Square" setting, as well as a new "ride and drive" test track for green vehicles.

The North American International Auto Show runs January 15-23 in Detroit, Michigan.

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