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If you wished that the Prius could ferry more passengers, your wish could be coming true as Toyota has unveiled the first teaser image of the Prius MPV. While the company declined to release additional information, the MPV, which is possibly called the Alpha, is marginally larger than the standard Prius. This means we can expect a spacious interior with seating for up to seven people. Under the hood, power will likely be provided by the familiar 1.8-litre petrol engine and an electric motor. This should give the MPV a combined output of 134bhp. While nothing is official, look for a possible introduction at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.

The iconic Volkswagen Beetle will be introduced at the Los Angeles Autoshow in November 2011. The new version, expected to go on sale in May 2011, will continue paying homage to the classic form. It is expected to have a more interesting engine lineup as compared to the current model. For the petrol options, the 1.2L TSI engine seen on the VW Polo, together with the highly-acclaimed 1.4 Twincharged powerplant are expected. A 2.0L engine producting 210 bhp could be seen on the car as well. I believe this is lifted from the hood of the Mark 6 Golf GTI. Autocar says that the vehicle will have a wider stance and longer wheelbase as it will be produced at the same plant, and on the same architecture, as the VW Jetta. The Beetle is expected to get a MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear suspension, though a multi-link rear is also possible. Beetle's dynamics is expected to improve, with the ride becoming more supple. Look for exterior changes to be inspired by the 2005 Volkswagen Ragster concept. According to a reliable source, the new model is more contoured, with additional structuring and defined feature lines used to help to break up the simple surfacing and unadorned character of the current model. VW Ragster concept