If green is your thing, then today’s news from Toyota could be enough to see you loosen your embrace on that poor tree and head along to the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show. Toyota has today confirmed that this year’s display will feature the next-generation 2010 Prius hybrid, previously only revealed to motorists in the United States.

The third generation of the Prius will, according to Toyota, feature superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions. The Melbourne Motor Show will be the first public outing for the new Prius since making its world debut at last month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Toyota Australia’s senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner said the decision to show new Prius in Melbourne indicated the importance of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology to Australia.

“It is a real coup to be able to show the new Prius at Melbourne, well ahead of its local launch early in the second half of this year,” Mr Buttner said.

Toyota will begin local production of the Camry hybrid at their Altona plant in 2010.

“Early next year, Toyota will become the first local manufacturer to produce a hybrid vehicle when we release the hybrid Camry from our Altona plant in Melbourne’s west.”

The third-generation Prius features significant improvements to its patented Hybrid Synergy Drive technology and a larger 1.8-litre petrol engine (current models use a 1.5-litre). The larger engine and technical improvements not only result in improved performance but also improved efficiency both in traffic and on the highway.

Toyota says it will consume 10 percent less fuel than the current model. You’ll be able to check it out for yourself when the 2009 Melbourne Motor Show opens on Friday the 27th of February.