Prius+ - It's the Prius v that you wanted but can't have

finally a 7-seater... but not targeted for the US??

 

I am not sure what all the european requirements are, so I can't give you a simple list. I also do not think the requirements make the US versions safer, just heavier. Here is an article with some of the changes for the fiesta just for some idea. I think the extra row of seats will kick in some more changes, the prius-v probably already has the emissions, bumper, and air bags compliant to the US.

Ford Keeps N. American Fiesta Changes to Minimum

 

LOL, this is America. Try 150 lb children.

I assume so, too. I bet safety is highly similar in Europe/North America.

 

Perhaps that is why they are releasing the 7-seat Prius in the rest of the world but not the U.S. .LOL.

(it will be interesting to see as other areas of the world become developed, if obesity surfaces (I'm thinking Beijing))
Because the obesity problem was on the radio this morning, I was thinking about it on my drive to work. I think they need to gather data on what Americans ate 20 years ago and what they eat today and compare and contrast and at least be able to present the differences in a concrete list.

 

I assume this has been done. I do know that as a whole we are eating more calories than in the past. And although I don't know if the quality is better or worse it is higher in simple carbs.

This is a pretty incredible map because it moves from year to year, you can see obesity taking over the country like a scourge:

Obesity and Overweight for Professionals: Data and Statistics: U.S. Obesity Trends | DNPAO | CDC

68% of American adults over 20 are now overweight and exactly half of those are obese.

 

It is not as much of a problem there until now since there was a huge famine under mao. Now they have KFCs and McDs there are 100 million obese Chinese. These are mainly in the cities.

The quantity of food has increased slightly and the amount of exercise has decreased markedly in the last 50 years.

 

Geez Skoorbmax, lighten up. I almost gagged up my celery and peanut butter. I do some of my best eating when I'm on PriusChat!

 

See? The Volt was more realistic when it came to seating. Good for four ONLY . . . . and then, only for four averge sized ethiopians. That's the same as four 10 year old'ers in the U.S. Thank you McDonalds.

 

Lots of obese kids in China for sure. Also, a recent medical study reported that cancer rates are rising in developing economies.

 

fascinating

This would be a prime time/opportunity to conduct a research study on the comparisons to reveal/confirm the environmental/societal causes of cancer.

.

 

When, last may, the first rumor was spread about a 7 seater Prius called Alpha, the 5 seat version was said to have a NiMh pack, while the 7 seater was said to carry a LiIon battery pack. If I am well informed, the US states with the highest Prius sales (CARB) require a 10 year warranty on the battery pack. Might be the reason why Toyota limits initial sales to Europe where no such requirements exist.

 

smoking and obesity.

on topic: i think the rear looks like a minivan *gag*

 

third row pictures?

Anyone have any shots of the interior to show what 3rd row looks like?

The pics at Toyota Prius+, Europe's first full-hybrid seven-seater. and Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+ sips fuel with room for seven — Autoblog are useless as the windows are blacked out. The press release mentions "50:50 split/folding third tier".

 

Toyota could be in for a rude awakening once the Ford C-max with 5+2 seating comes out this fall. I would have never thought of considering a Ford before I heard about it. This will be released with the ecoboost 1.6 liter turbo that should get 30+MPG and will be coming out with a hybrid version for the 2012MY. This is on Ford's C-platform (focus) and the C-max will have roughly the same dimensions as the original dodge caravan released in the 80s. Ford says they want to sell up to 50K units a year. With the Sienna/Odyssey the size of small tugboats these days, they are not an option. I hope toyota gets its act together and starts offering the 7- passenger version.

 

C-Max hybrid is only 5 seater also.

 

Another list of nice to have features of Prius:
SPidgorny: Car of the nearest future