MAX Mosley, president of the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA), has become one of the first UK owners of the new Toyota Prius petrol-electric car.

Mosley, who promotes safe vehicles through his work with the FIA and also Euro NCAP, said: 'I am interested in developments in automotive technology and the introduction of hybrids on to the market is one of the most significant developments of recent years.

'With the new Prius, Toyota has developed a mainstream car which solves one of the industry's technological conundrums – how to deliver low emissions and outstanding fuel economy without compromising driving performance.'

Toyota expects UK sales of the new Prius to quadruple over the outgoing model with 1,600 units in 2004.

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