THE Toyota Prius has quickly become a global standard-bearer for more environmentally responsible motoring. In the UK, its unique capabilities are reflected in its exemption from the central London congestion charge and moves by a number of local authorities to offer owners lower rates for parking permits.

Priusπs achievements in reducing the environmental impact of motoring without compromising the levels of performance, comfort and convenience demanded by todayπs motorists earned it the 2005 European Car of the Year award, the first model using an alternative power system to take the title.

And, demonstrating that technological advances do not adversely affect safety, Prius was accorded the top five-star rating for passenger protection in official Euro-NCAP crash testing with the equal highest score in its class.

Moreover, it established a new benchmark in the level of child passenger protection. Prius is not intended to be an eco-car that sacrifices driving pleasure, comfort and space as a trade-off for low emissions. Instead, it goes a lot farther by bringing the future of motoring into the present. With its advanced Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive, the latest Prius is the cleanest family car currently on public sale and successfully demonstrates that being ågreenπ does not equate to dull performance or compromised packaging. Prius can return a fuel consumption that is comparable to the best B-segment diesels, production of Co2 and NOx is also radically low, and particulate matter emissions are non-existent. Official consumption figures are 65.7mpg for combined and 67.3mpg for extra-urban driving. In the urban cycle, Prius returns 56.5mpg.