4th generation coming 2015!

There is definitely a mechanical link. Even cars that do have full electrical steering are still required to have a mechanical coupling through the steering column.

My mom has a base Civic LX. It does handle razor sharp compared to the Prius!

 

Just read an article saying that the 2015 Prius will have a more fuel efficient engine (55 mpg.), and a stronger electric motor (faster 0-60). Can anyone shed more light on this? ( I got this information from one of my car magazines.)

 

Just a couple of simple well designed chassis bars makes a big difference in the ride of the Gen III Prius. Toyota did redesign the mid chassis brace in 2012, but they fell short with a heavy multi-weld multi-piece contraption that is still too flexible. The "flex" is readily felt every time that the car goes over the rain trough at the end of the driveway or over railroad tracks.

As for "fly by wire" steering, I believe that the Q50 Infiniti has it. I heard that it can be programmed for different response or feel parameters, while eliminating column sake. It, however, still defaults to mechanical steering.


2014 Infiniti Q50 AWD First Drive - Automotive.com

 

Having driven all manner of cars on the track for over 10 years, I have to say I'm quite skeptical that chassis stiffness is a weak link in the Prius in any significant manner. Across the industry cars are significantly stiffer than they were just 15 years ago due solely to improvements in manufacturing process. Yet even in older cars, chassis bracing typically plays an extremely small role in improving the dynamics of the car. Pieces that bolt on have rarely been shown to actually improve lap times, and in blind tests, most drivers can't tell the difference.

Again, dynamically the big problems with the Prius are that it understeers badly due to the location of the engine, overboosted electric steering that prevents any sort of precision driving, and excessively intrusive computer systems for both throttle modulation and traction control.

 

Hello Everyone

I am a current 2001 corolla owner and plan to upgrade to a Prius v in about 1.5 to 2 years. Do you think there will be a new Prius v for the 2015 model year? or it will come out in 2015 for the 2016 model year?

I am doing some reading and everything points to the new gen Prius to come out in 2015, the comments read that all Pruii come out every 6 years.

Do you think the Prius v will follow the 6 year rule or follow the Prius rollout. Current Prius came out for the 2010 model year but Prius v was for 2012 model year.

What are your thoughts about it.

Thanks

 

I found simillar information. What I can deduct from what I have read is that it will not be a 2015 model year Prius but more like it is coming out in 2015 so it must only be a 2016.

 

I thought as you did, when I got my 2012 Prius"v" in February of 2012, until I experimented with "chassis bracing" as did the over 100 other users who have done so with their Prii, including those who have the Plug-in.

Toyota quietly, without notice, in 2012, redesigned the front "L" brackets into stiffer "triangle" brackets and superseded the original "hourglass" mid-brace to the stiffer "tubular" brace.


Still, more stiffening is needed, as a lot of experienced drivers have discovered.

Try telling them that it does NOT make a difference.

 

Moderator; please merge as much as possible: Gen IV Duplicate Threads!

Thanks!

 

Perhaps that does help and explains why I don't think it's as bad as other's have noted(mines is a 2013).

Along with the Plus springs and 17's, the car is not bad for what it is. If only the shocks were more dampened.. but yes, that's asking a bit much for stock.

 

I'm sure that I would have a hard time convincing people who have spent money on shiny bits that the money was wasted. But from a logical perspective, it just doesn't gel. Chassis stiffness is WAY down the list of dynamic problems the Prius has. Even on prepared track cars, the chassis typically comes after everything else - suspension, bushings, etc. has been done. It just doesn't pay back in faster lap times the way other changes do. I don't doubt that these braces might do something, I am just skeptical that given all the much bigger issues with this platform that they are really all that noticeable. Without some real data from finite element analysis, or other controlled testing, I'll remain that way. I won't hold my breath.

 

I agree.. on the scale of things, chassis flex is pretty far down. Baffles me when owners try to improve handling without starting with the stock 15" wheels/tires.

Perhaps placebo effect? confidence does miracles!

 

Question to the critics on Prius handling, have any of you driven on a closed course/ track? This opened my eyes to what my car's limits were.

Generally speaking, its hard to drive on the streets and gauge handling.


iPhone ? - now Free

 

Far from it, only thing electronic about steering is it's an electric powered power steering pump. That will be the day when we can drive by wire!

 

"razor".. wow.. I better go and test drive one.

 

I have no intention of driving my Prius on track, but I've done enough track events, autox, and rally to know what I like, and I have an abundance of twisty back roads in my area that I drive spiritedly in my other car (a Mercedes 190e 2.3-16 Cosworth - predecessor to the BMW M3) any chance I get. My first drive when I test drove the PIP was on one of my favorite back roads in the area. When the salesmen asked me how I liked the car after that I honestly told him it was dynamically probably the worst new car I've ever driven. He was stunned that I was still interested in pursuing it after that, but for my day-to-day needs, where half of my driving is trips of 2 miles and under, the plug-in is perfect and nothing else on the market came close when Toyota started offering large incentives on them.

Again I come back to the biggest issue I have with this cars handling is that there is no feel whatsoever between the steering wheel and the pavement. You turn the wheel and the car goes, but it is impossible to precisely tell what angle the wheels are at or to make fine adjustments to the line. Certainly some of this is the tires, but I have owned lots of other cars with tall tires of middling performance, and this is in another league altogether.

Like I said, I think the car turns in well enough, I don't think it rolls excessively for a comfort-oriented car, and the absolute grip levels are reasonably high given the tires equipped. It's the lack of feel that's the real downer.

 

If you haven't driven a Honda, or for that matter a Ford Focus or many of the other modern compact cars that have been re-designed in recent years, I think you'd be surprised. You also have to take that adjective in context. I specifically compared it to the Prius. That said, Honda has always excelled at building cars with sharp turn-in response with very quick transitions. That's exactly why they've been a staple on the auto-x scene for years.

 

"Worse car" you've even driven.. wow.. I recall a number of cars worse but they are quite older. Perhaps you meant car in this category? I mentioned this before but I do notice the opinions on how the Prius handles range substantially. I think it's related to wheel and tire setup(15 vs 17) and suspension. With my 17" wheels and Plus springs, I find the car feels far from the worse handling car I've driven.

I think what's lacking is in terms of making this car feel better is the brakes and throttle. I find my car easy to control except the brakes and throttle. Both of these items are highly influenced by electronics.

 

Again, context. That sentence also contained the words 'new car'. It isn't just by chance that this platform has been universally panned by enthusiasts. I think it is great at what it does, and I think its great that Toyota designed a car that rewards you for gentle driving. That's pretty much a first in the industry.

I agree that the brakes and throttle are also bad for spirited driving, but the steering is so dead that there is no incentive for me to push the car to the point that I really care much what I can do with the throttle and brakes.

Yes, like I said, tires will help to some extent, but they can't overcome inherent design choices. Springs help little to not at all with steering feel.

 

You're already driving the 'new and improved' version. Try a stock 2004, with those abysmal "Integrity" tires, and I think your perspective will change.

 

I read into the many complaints of the 3rd gen handling poorly.