Frankfurt Preview: Toyota to show Auris Hybrid, Prius PHEV and two iQ variants

In addition to the LF-Ch from its Lexus luxury division, Toyota also intends to bring a few more environmentally friendly automobiles to the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, some seemingly close to production form and others as concepts to whet our appetites for the future. Included among these new forward-looking machines will be the Auris HSD Full Hybrid concept, a plug-in version of the new third-gen Prius and two concepts based on the automaker's tiny iQ platform.

We're expecting the Auris Hybrid to feature a 1.8-liter engine mated up to Toyota's latest Hybrid Synergy Drive as featured in the 2010 Prius. Perhaps more interesting, though, is the Prius PHEV that's headed to Frankfurt. Up to this point, all the plug-in prototypes seen testing have used the previous second-generation Prius platform. Toyota's not giving any details on the vehicle, but we're expecing that there's a lithium ion battery pack lurking within that sports enough juice to allow for a decent electric-only range. Toyota will lease 150 Prius PHEVs in Europe starting next year.

Finally, Toyota will trot out two conceptual custom versions of its iQ minicar called the iQ for Sports and the iQ Collection. The Sports model seems to be a version of the car wearing the same yellow paint and flared fendered bodykit seen earlier this year at the New York Auto Show badged as a Scion. From the lone shot of the Collection, we peer through the clear roof at what appears to be a luxurious-looking interior swathed in cow hides. Click past the break for the official press release and check out all four models in our gallery below.

PRESS RELEASE:

Toyota at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show

- World Premiere of the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept
- New Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept, European Premiere of the new Land Cruiser
- iQ show cars (iQ for Sports and iQ Collection)

The first Toyota highlight for the Frankfurt Motor Show will be the World Premiere of the Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept. This represents a milestone in Toyota's strategy: introducing Toyota's full hybrid technology to a mainstream model, and the first step in the deployment of Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) across the company's model range.

The new Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept will also make its World debut in Frankfurt.
Prius Plug-in Hybrid expands the capabilities of Toyota's full hybrid technology (HSD), enabling pure electric operation for short-range day-to-day transportation.

In early 2010, an extensive field trial in Europe will see over 150 units being leased to selected fleet customers.

Frankfurt will also stage the European Premiere of the iconic, all-new Toyota Land Cruiser, which will go on sale in the 4th quarter of 2009.

Finally, two customised iQ show cars (iQ for Sports and iQ Collection) will give a glimpse of a future 'iQ World' and demonstrate the possibility for customers to personalise their cars.

The Toyota stand is located in Hall 8 of the Frankfurt Motor Show exhibition centre, where the Toyota press conference will take place on Tuesday, 15 September at 15h30.