TOYOTA has tugged the wraps off a whole batch of new models to reveal revised showroom models, as well as an unusual concept car hinting at the company's future European design intentions.

Leading the way forward is the compact sports and speciality car, a two-plus-two mid-engined sporty roadster, but with a difference. The compact roadster is a retro-styled open car which looks like a two-seater, but has a couple of occasional seats hidden under a rear cowling. Other features include a front passenger seat which converts into a cockpit tonneau cover, and an all-new style of holographic-projection controls for the audio, navigation and e-mail systems.

But what makes this car stand out is its eco-friendly power system. There is a 1.5-litre petrol engine to drive the rear wheels and a powerful electric motor to push the front wheels, making it a pretty competent all-wheel drive. This petrol-electric combination development is Toyota's step towards providing a car that does not totally rely on petrol, yet is still able to provide high levels of performance. Conventional hybrid systems rely on petrol or diesel engine to produce peak performance, and utilise an electric motor as an extra source. The Toyota system provides a more powerful electric motor so that the petrol unit is in fact used less, even when extra power is needed when tackling steep hills.

Another interesting feature of the concept roadster is its Space Touch holographic projections that the driver touches to make a selection. Spheres appear to float in space in front of the driver, but when touched they allow control of the air conditioning, audio, satellite navigation and Internet.

Now planned to go on sale here early next year, a few months later than originally suggested, the second-generation Prius (Toyota's hybrid-powered mainstream family car) will now be more Avensis than Corolla-sized, and as well as being larger overall, with a longer wheelbase, a much roomier passenger cabin and extra luggage space, it will feature a substantially uprated petrol-electric powertrain.

The higher-voltage 50kW electric motor has twice the power of the previous type, which means brisker performance including a 0-62mph time cut to less than 11.0-seconds. But the whole powertrain is generally more efficient, so that the combined cycle fuel consumption is now rated at slightly over 65mpg, and all the measurable emission levels - not just the CO2 figure - have been reduced.

Toyota has flung 21st-century technology at the new Prius, which will be marketed with fly-by-wire throttle, brake and transmission systems. Nobody has tried this kind of braking arrangement on a production car before, and the conventional gear lever has been replaced by a joystick on the fascia.

New engines planned for the Avensis include a 2.4-litre direct injection petrol unit, the biggest of its sort in the class on the European market, producing about 160bhp and nearly 170lb/ft of torque. That means a 0-62mph time of 9.1-seconds. This engine will be available with a new transmission offering automatic and semi-sequential changes.

Perhaps more important in the long run, is the 2.0-litre D-CAT (Diesel Clean Advanced Technologies) turbo diesel. Toyota's improved Avensis Verso, which goes on sale in January, has much smarter front styling, more paintwork choices, and better interior trim. There are extra airbags, the instrument display has been improved, retractable door mirrors and steering wheel audio controls will now be standard, and Toyota's navigation system with a special traffic jam avoidance system, will be on the options list.

The D-4D turbo diesel version continues, while the two-litre petrol engine has been modified so that it also meets the Euro IV emissions standard.

The RAV4 sports utility gets some exterior styling changes, and its specification list will now include side curtain airbags plus the triple provision of traction control, stability control and brake assist.

Finally, Lexus (the luxury car arm of Toyota) is planning to relaunch a revised LS430, which will go on sale here in November. There is a certain smoothing-out of the styling of the flagship model, although the basic appearance remains much the same. The clear differences include a new six-speed sequential automatic transmission, revised shock absorbers for the electronically controlled air suspension, adaptive front headlamps, a voice-operated DVD navigation system, and Bluetooth technology for the hands-free phone.

With almost 280bhp on call, and over 300lb/ft of torque at 3400rpm, the 4.3-litre V8 engine remains unchanged. Via the new transmission it can take the LS430 from 0-62mph in 6.3-seconds, and it already meets the 2005 Euro IV emissions standards.

Updated: 10:14 Friday, October 03, 2003