The Prius family just gained its first new member, the Prius V, and a preview of its second: the Prius C. As V is for versatility, C is for city (though compact also works), and the Prius C delivers.

Slotting four seats into a small B-segment body, the Prius C Concept is an outline for what to expect of the eventual production version, but an outline only. The interior, as beautiful as it is, is an exercise in futuristic design, not something that'll likely see production this decade.

The exterior, however, should be much closer to the finished product, though we wouldn't be surprised to see some of the sharper edges smoothed and the details muted by the time it hits the streets.

Toyota is already angling for "urban appeal" so it will be interesting to see how and where it's pitched, but we wouldn't be surprised to see Angelinos and New Yorkers snapping these up with rabid fervor when they hit dealers in the first half of 2012.

When you're topped up here, head over to GreenCarReports to see our live images of the Prius C Concept.

[Toyota]