They reduced the EV mode top speed to 53mph?

Ok, I think you are right, John. Sure hope your are.

In default (HV) mode, none of the buttons are pushed, and the vehicle operates like a regular Prius, avoiding use of the EV portions of the pack.

In EV<>HV mode, the pack is all used and the ICE mostly stays off below 53 mph. Above 53 it tends to bring the ICE into play, but we are hoping glides are available up to 62 or 64 mph.

In EV-City mode, the pack is all used and the ICE stays off below 53 mph even at higher power demand levels. Same hope as above for higher glide speed.

In any of these 3 modes, the ECO button changes the go-pedal mapping and the climate control parameters.

Sound about right?

 

I don't think you're going to see EV and non-EV portions of the pack. It doesn't look like they went with the multiple pack design from the mules.

My guess is that switching to HV mode will act to hold the State of Charge wherever it is so that when you switch back the State of Charge can continue to deplete. Keep in mind that holding SoC is really a float around a set point as sometimes it will still be pure EV (like when you first pull away from a light in your regular prius) and sometimes you'll be regenning into it to raise charge (like stopping or on a long downhill run).

 

Mostly. There isn't a an ev portion anymore. I would think it would use electric more aggressively than the standard prius because of the pack, but would maintain a stable state of charge. Default may be EV mode.

Yes in EV mode the ice will stay off unless more power is requested or it goes over some set speed, 53. Toyota has given us no information on engine off speed with deceleration, and it could be anything. Like HV mode we won't really know until toyota tells us, or a reviewer has one in their hands. I would not assume 62 but I would not rule it out.

yes, but if high enough throttle is requested it will kick on the ice at lower speeds.

yep

 

I hope so. However, in the mules, IIRC, the EV limit and true glide limits were the same in EV mode (62/62). I hope they've lowered the EV limit for efficiency and not for a physical reason.

 

EV mode top speed for Iconic Prius is 34 mph. Gen3 Prius' EV top speed is 24 mph?

 

Correct. At 25 you are booted out of EV. At 15 when not meeting ideal conditions (warm engine, etc.).

 

as Seinfield use to say, "Who are these people?!?" that just make stuff up and post it like some kind of absolute given truth.

No - Even the MG1 spin rate on the Gen II was capable of supporting 60mph - and that's why one of the successful aftermarket PHEV kits designed its ecu hack to support 60mph. So if the weaker Gen II MG1 can support 60mph ... well then, there you go.

Anyway - if/when Toyota posts what the final configuration of battery pack size and MG horsepower/kw draw etc is, then we'll all know. But not until.

.

 

Yes, source is toyota
THE NEW PRIUS FAMILY

Note this range is based on the easier European combined cycle test. Although the british prius phv may be different than the american version, it is likely EV mode will cut out either at 53mph or when more power is requested than ev mode can supply. Production phv differs from the demo version in battery.

 

If the car still uses >standard battery assist at >53 then this will still be a good thing.

IE the charge may last my whole 26mi round trip since about half of it is >53. If EV assist is available at these speeds and the car can run at 70-80mpg + and then 0 gas use the rest of the time I would take this over a straight 14mi and that is it.

 

From the updated Toyota page:

Prius Plug-in EV mode works under certain conditions up to 62 mph for approximately 10-15 miles on a full charge. Quick acceleration and braking, road and vehicle conditions, or climate control use may prevent usage of EV mode.

 

That's a refreshing change. My US GenIII regular Prius has a firmware reduced/restricted speed in EV mode compared to other countries. And here comes the 2012 US GenIII PHEV version with increased speeds, via firmware, compared to some other counties. Gotta like that. My guess is for EPA certification reasons, but who cares why if we can eek out a little more speed!

 

what makes no sense to me is how they managed to eek out a longer range with a higher speed compared to the Euro-spec model

 

You are probably not going to get 15 miles range if you keep it up at 62 mph. Euro-spec said 14.5 miles at 53 mph so 52 mph should give you 15 miles range.

 

right. just look over at the Leaf forums, if they want to get close to 80-90 miles of EV range, its 55-60mph or under, 65, 70 and faster drasticlly reduce your range, due to increased power requirments due to wind resistance.