Summary of proposed improvements for future versions of Prius

It is not supposed to be linear. It has "sweet" spots so that it doesnt jump around a million times a second. 6bars and 2 bars is where it is really happy, and really sad. They show them more.

 

Have the HVAC Syetem readable when the sun is shining on it with the sunshade open

 

Make the steering wheel in perfect centered lateral alignment with the driver's seat.

I find the steering wheel to be maybe inch to the left of center of driver's seat using the 'praying test' found in the ergos testing section at -

www.heightsite.com

scroll down to 'taller drivers' > 5 ways to test car ergonomics. Seems a good test for all drivers to do.

 

At 6-1 I like seat position, and where the steer wheel is
But the wheel should be softer for my tended fingers

 

I'd say the fix is to allow double or triple the regen power, then you can have a consistent amount of braking force to pedal application at any speed.

 

1. Allow pkg IV to have ATP as an option (so the choice would be either solar roof or ATP since one cannot have both).

2. Make *NAV* a separate option...uncouple it from the solar roof option and the ATP option. Some people want NAV only. Others don't want NAV, but do want the other goodies. (I would be in this group).

 

Upgrade the paint at least on the front bumper and hood area to better sustain through the bug and rock impacts

 

I think that know what you are talking about because abrupt transition from regen was very evident in a hybrid Camry I rented for a 2 week trip a couple of years ago.

In my Gen 3 Prius however the braking is completely smooth without gaps or peaks except at the transition from barely moving at all to a complete stop where it is somewhat abrupt unless I feather the pedal.

 

This has probably already been posted but here goes. I'd like some of the options lit at night when the lights are turned on. This includes some of the options on the steering wheel such as the bluetooth plus the garage door options on the rear view mirror. Love the car but have to grope for the door opener when returning home at night. Simple LED's would be fine.

 

The Prius is missing a lot of "user" technological advancements.

It's missing a car computer. The Nissan Leaf comes with one.
It's missing a wireless connection. The Nissan Leaf comes with 4g network and fallsback to 3g/RX.
It's missing a center console (optional). The Nissan Leaf comes standard with a center console.

The center console in the leaf also displays apps so you can stream music, surf the web, get the news, get traffic conditions/road closures, gps, communications. It's basically a computer. The key thing is ALL OF THESE APPS can be UPGRADED. Don't like slacker? Use a different app. Don't like Toyota GPS? Install StreetDeck. The computer just runs windows.


On the next Prius, they should have a center console touch screen LCD/OLED monitor and a compartment in the trunk for a car computer (carputer). The computer should be upgradable (you should be able to install your own). The carputer should have a serial port so it can get all the information from the car.

The wireless antenna should be installed outside and replace the satellite antenna. After all, who the hell needs satellite when you can stream pandora and slacker?

After installing the carputer, you install the Prius software which reads the car information etc. You can install your own apps. Everything is displayed on the center console. The fact is, having a carputer connected to the cars "systems" (such as engine, ventilation, fluids, tire monitoring system) opens up A LOT OF POSSIBILITIES.
You can have an app that adjusts ventilation based on climate data according to GPS coordinates.
You can have an app that adjusts tire pressures according to climate data based on GPS coordinates.


You can plug in a TV tuner to your carputer and watch/record TV.

On my current prius, I installed a UMPC (mobile computer) on the cupholder and use a USB dongle for 3g. Unfortunetly, because the usb dongle is inside...I keep getting connection loses when tall buildings are around. If there was a antenna mounted to the roof that took the place of the useless satellite radio antenna, it would fix this.

I can listen to slacker while driving. To change a song, I just say "skip song" and the UMPC recognizes it and changes the song. You can't do that with satellite radio. You can't do that with "sync" (sync is limited). The UMPC automatically goes to sleep when the car is shut off. I actually tell Windows to put the computer to sleep when there is no AC power. There is no AC power when the car is off. I also tell windows to turn it back on when AC power is detected. If I'm stuck in traffic, I can just skype my boss and tell him I'm going to be late.

 

So basically, you want a car that is so distracting that you get in an accident every day or two?

 

I drive with a UMPC and I change the song using voice commands. I only look down on the screen when I'm at a complete stop and can guarantee that the traffic light does not turn green for at least half a minute.

The Prius could lock down the screen when in motion and only respond to voice command etc.

If you think this is distracting, better remove the radio, ac, cruise control etc. A another driver almost hit me head on because he was adjusting his radio/ac.

 

More intelligence when entering a UK postcode into the SatNav.

A typical UK postcode would be WD25 4PT. The on screen keyboard only shows letters or numbers / symbols. So you have to flick between the two keyboards twice for any postcode you enter (from letters to numbers, then numbers back to letters).