Prius lovers weren’t looking for another reason to drool over Toyota’s good green-car sense – but they got one. Yesterday, at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, the automaker introduced a new member to the elite eco family of cars, the Prius v. The “v” joins the lineup of existing Priuses (the third-gen and plug-in models), offering a more spacious vehicle that the brand hopes will cater to wider audiences.

Unlike the compact car status previously owned by Prius, the “v” is considered a midsize ride and grants over 50 percent more interior cargo space for stowing gear when on the go. According to Toyota, “v” stands for versatility, and I’d say that’s spot-on, with a wider rear hatch that reveals 34.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats. Just think about the flea market finds you could stash… making the wagon-esque “v” nearly as practical (from a stowing perspective) as an SUV. But way cooler, obviously.

With seating for five, the “v” is undoubtedly out to nab the active family car shopper. And while it doesn’t boast any better fuel economy than the original Prius (hey, it’s a bigger car), it delivers an impressive 42 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. All the eco-energy of a traditional Prius, without the somewhat-limiting size. Pricing has yet to be announced, but you can expect to see the car hit dealer lots late this summer as a 2012 model.