2016 Toyota Prius: What We Want To Know About All-New Hybrid

Next Tuesday evening, the 2016 Toyota Prius hybrid will make its world debut in Las Vegas, kicking off what its maker calls "the next era of an icon."

"We’re pulling out all of the stops for this exclusive event to celebrate the future of Prius in a truly spectacular way that will be anything but expected," Toyota has promised attendees.

We'll be there.

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Yesterday, the company released a single teaser photo for the car: a black background with a bright-red squiggle that is likely the car's taillight profile.

In a way, you might feel sorry for the months of work that went into Toyota's carefully planned PR blitz.

That's because photos of two 2016 Priuses--one silver, one dark grey--were leaked last week on a Malaysian Prius owner's Facebook group; They quickly ricocheted around the world at Internet speed.

They were shot in the hold of a cargo plane, leading us to wonder whether they are the cars for Las Vegas next week.

With the exterior design public, we'll be interested to see just how much information Toyota releases about the car--since there's no driving opportunity at the event..

Will the interior be as Space Age-y as the current one? Will there be more integrated, less scattershot graphic displays?

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And will they match up to the graphic quality of those in the latest Chevrolet Volt and Ford's hybrids and plug-in hybrids?

The interior of the third-generation Prius is now outdated; it's also full of hard plastics, a smart weight-saving technique but one that's been bypassed by most modern small cars.

Will the 2016 Prius interior have more soft-touch surfaces?

Will it drop the high "flying buttress" console that offered awkward-to-reach storage underneath, but formed a barrier between front-seat occupants?

We note the 2012 Prius V wagon had a more conventional console design.

Will the new Prius continue with its 1.8-liter engine?

MORE: Hyundai To Launch All-Electric 'Prius Fighter' Model In 2016: Tip