Auto show notebook: New Prius gets 50 mpg; more

DETROIT -- Unsure what to look for at the North American International Auto Show this year? USA TODAY has you covered with the hottest debuts and most stylish vehicles. Check back regularly for show updates. The Detroit auto show kicks off its media preview Sunday and is open to the public Jan. 17-24.

Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrids

Toyota's redesigned 2010 Prius gasoline-electric hybrid, on sale this summer, will be rated 50 miles gallon in combined city-highway driving and more than 50 in town, the automaker said as it unveiled the Prius re-do Monday.

That bests the current version's rating of 48 mpg in the city and 46 in combined city-highway driving and would make it the most fuel-efficient car sold in the U.S. by a significant margin. Honda's new Insight hybrid, Prius' closest direct competitor, is rated in the 40s. Volkswagen's Jetta diesel is in the 30s. Insight goes on sale April 22. Jetta's on sale now.

Toyota didn't provide highway mileage for the 2010. It's 45 mpg for the '09.

The automaker said it wouldn't disclose prices until closer to the on-sale date. The current version starts about $23,000. Waiting to announce pricing gives Toyota a chance to see where Honda prices the Insight.

The redesigned Prius has about five cubic feet more space inside and is about the same overall size outside.

The improved mileage comes with a more powerful gasoline engine, but less powerful electric motor. The 2010's gasoline engine is rated 98 hp, vs 76 for the '09, and has 105 pounds-feet of torque, vs. 82 lbs. ft. The electric motor has 80 hp and 153 lbs.-ft., vs. 67 hp and 295 lbs.-ft in. the '09.

Bob Carter, general manager of the Toyota brand in the U.S., says studies showed that fuel economy remains the top concern of likely hybrid buyers, despite today's sub-$2 gasoline prices.

The Prius unveiling comes a day after Honda quietly put its hybrid-only 2010 Insight on display.

The pair, along with the 2010 Ford Fusion hybrid, set up a three-way race for marketing superiority for fuel-stingy family sedans.