Toyota Prius 2016 release date, specs details: cloaked test car spotted in San Francisco

Official Toyota web site

The Toyota Prius 2016 was recently spotted touring the thoroughfares of San Francisco. It was fully cloaked while it roamed the streets so as not to spoil the surprise when it is presented at the L.A. Auto Show this November. 

The fourth-generation Prius starred in a newfound video, which was spotted and shared by Priusfan500 on the Prius Chat forums. As seen on the clip, the vehicle was fully covered, but this sighting is reportedly the best and most groundbreaking find involving the hybrid. The rear of a prototype was also photographed in Bangkok back in May. 

As per Motor Authority, the video is enough to prove that Toyota has dressed up their latest Prius model with a profile more lustrous than its predecessor. The main glasshouse of the vehicle also adapts the trademark Toyota styling. 

The video also gives auto enthusiasts a first look at the new-generation Toyota Prius' interior, which shows a centrally mounted instrument panel. Motor Authority says that the central gauges seen in earlier Prius cars are no more but a dash-mounted gear lever is still intact. Toyota wasn't keen on being too radical on the dashboard layout as the test vehicle spotted in the video had a rather conventional one.  

The new Prius is one of the first Toyota models to make use of the Toyota New Global Architecture for a lower center of gravity and improved handling, according to Car Advice. The base model is expected to carry on with the staple nickel-metal-hydride battery pack, while the premium model might house a lithium-ion battery. An all-wheel drive option could be provided as well. .

Toyota has previously announced that the Toyota Prius 2016 will be on sale by the end of this year.