Toyota Exec Hints at 2015 Prius SUV

Like a hybrid RAV4? The RAV4 is Toyota's small SUV after all.

 

Hmm...interesting commentary.

Given that The Prius "Family" is now basically a Small, Medium and Large Prius. If you are going to expand the Prius family what do you do? Either simply improve and update the current 3 models or expand in a pretty diverse way, which would be either a sedan or some type of SUV.

Interesting that he says he thinks they should not expand the brand too much. I'm really not sure whether I agree with that or not. If that is the direction Toyota goes in, then it looks like the Prius family will be a Trio.

 

They may be looking at feedback from the prius v (and alpha in other markets)and c-max. Both these vehicles have hit the cute ute and station wagon market a little bit. Both vehicles were developed cheaply (converting a prius into a waggon, hybridizing the european c-max) but found a market. Better market research could give a better fit.

I think if you mash up the things that people like about the rav4, c-max, and alpha, you will get quite a nice CUV. If you buid it on the next gen rumored prius 4wd platform. Give it the height of the c-max. Perhaps give it the power of a camry hybrid. Perhaps increase the quality of the interior. There should be a market.

 

I don't think they want mpg to drop as low as a hyhi. A RAV4 hybrid SUV may drop mpg too much, unless there is some new toyota magic.

 

I agree. My speculation is they want "Prius" associated with a certain minimum degree of efficiency, that perhaps wouldn't be possible with a Hybrid SUV.

But I'm not 100% sure that is the right thinking. It might be.

Which would marginally appeal to you better? A RAV4 Hybrid SUV...that might only average 10 or so miles better to the gallon than the regular RAV4 SUV...or a new "Prius" branded small SUV that might be the lowest MPG in the Prius family, BUT also be the largest most rugged Prius?

It's a tough call.

 

Lexus is supposed to come out with a reskinned Rav4 hybrid next year (ie. NX-300h).

 

"A RAV4 Hybrid SUV...that might only average 10 or so miles better to the gallon than the regular RAV4 SUV..."

Considering a normally aspired 2013 RAV4 gets 24/31, +10 mpg for a hybrid version would be great...assuming it is not priced like the RAV4 EV.

 

Toyota Exec Hints at 2015 Prius SUV, Admits It’s a Risk
Is probably just paraphrasing this


Toyota Prius SUV next? - motoring.com.au

 

I would like to see a Tacoma Hybrid

 

I think a lot of people would. I think from Ogiso's statement it would not be part of the prius family.

The good news is cafe rules for 2025 give a big benefit for hybrid trucks. Unfortunately those rules don't really kick in hard until 2020. Before then we can expect toyota, ford, and gm to start producing better hybrid trucks.

 

I think that, initially, the term 'SUV' meant a vehicle that was bigger than a car, carried more cargo (or people), sort of like the 'station wagon' of an earlier era, but with 4 wheel drive (providing the 'Sport' in Sport Utility Vehicle). I cannot envision any kind of Prius that would meet that defininition, only because I associate 'Prius' with passenger cars used for commuting, getting around town, etc. These days it seems to me that 'SUV''s are used in the same ways that the old 'Station Wagon', a family car (Mom car) mostly for hauling kids, running errands, etc.

'Toyota Hybrid Technology' can (and has been, apparently) applied to other types of vehicles, but not to a vehicle (truck, van) re-engineered from the ground up (like the Prius) to be as economical to operate as possible.

I would very much like to own a light pickup truck with as much 'Prius' technology as could be incorporated that would I would use mostly to get around town and to work and back but occaisionaly be used to haul lumber, firewood, garden supplies and just plain 'stuff' that would just be thrown/dropped into an open truck bed rather than by having to push/pull knobs and folding seats this way and that to create a cargo space. To me, it would be kind of wierd to call it a Prius Truck.

May need to create a new, catchy name for misc. Toyota utility type vehicles that are engineered to utilize a 'heavy duty' or industrial version of all the technology that goes into a Prius car or sedan.

Gary...

 

The PuP? Lovingly called the puppy?

PickupPrius?

 

I'd like a hybrid convertible.

Maybe something more roadster two seater sporty, but that get's GREAT gas mileage.

I'm NOT holding my breath as I think that's a pretty small niche market for that potential product. But if Toyota ever made one? I'd have to look at it pretty seriously.

I love the way Honda's hybrid CRZ looks. But it's hybrid efficiency of 36 city 39 highway just isn't good enough for me to consider owning the product. In that MPG range....I might as well just get a Mazda MX-5.

But if you could give me a sporty, fun to drive, convertible....or even moon roof vehicle that got Prius like numbers? I'm driving that all over the Northwest all summer long.

You don't think they would build one just for me?

 

Wouldn't it be AWD not 4WD?

 

Yes, although i am confused with what the difference is.

I would think if the rumors are true on the next gen prius being AWD as an option, you do a more capable system of that in the lexus RXh. A more powerful battery/electronics and mg1 could route strong power to an mg3 at the rear wheels. There is no reason this could not provide a crawl mode for hazardous condtions. The rumors are that it would not well at higher speeds and would mainly be fwd.

 

Ya, could be great for ice and snow.

In the smallest nutshell possible...4WD is when all 4 wheels are essentially "locked" together, whereas AWD can spin at varying speeds.

 

My simplistic explanation:

AWD is a full-time system that doesn't need to be disengaged on dry pavement. It has enough give to allow the front and rear to differ in turns without binding up. 4WD is a part time system that must be disengaged on hard dry (i.e. no slip) surfaces.

My Subaru is AWD, and is great on paved roads. My dad's farm trucks (old F250s) are 4WD, superior out in the rough and muddy and snow-covered fields, but because of lack of a center differential, must be put in 2WD on dry asphalt.

PS. Dad has stated that on his trucks, the front wheels are driven slightly faster than the rear, for some directional stability, and this offset is much greater in 4L than 4H, at least on the old-style two-lever transfer cases. I have never checked anywhere for confirmation of this claim.

 

I believe purist differentiate them based on the 'guts' of the transfer case, and the simplistic explanation to that is that 4WD is like a manual transmission and AWD like a slipping automatic. Which makes a full time 4WD system not an AWD since its mechanics are derived from the part time 4WD system. As stated, 4WD were best for off road, and AWD for on road.

Which might have served in the early days of these systems. Technological advances that on and off road division is blurring. Then the marketing groups were muddying above everything for awhile on the subject.

If you are looking into a vehicle with AWD, find out if it is synchronous(full time) or non-synchronous. Most are non-, so determine if has a 'lockable' transfer case so that the driver can put it into full time at their choice. The air quotes is because the trend is to have a selector switch based on terrain and weather conditions(sand, snow, mud, etc.) that modifies the AWD behavior accordingly.

Should have gone to Wikipedia first. Four-wheel drive - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"All wheel drive (AWD) refers to a drive train system that includes a differential between the front and rear drive shafts. This is normally coupled with some sort of anti-slip technology that will allow differentials to spin at different speeds, but still maintain the ability to transfer torque from one wheel in case of loss of traction at that wheel.
Four wheel drive (4WD) refers to vehicles that have a transfer case, not a differential, between the front and rear axles, meaning that the front and rear drive shafts will be locked together when engaged. This provides maximum torque transfer to the axle with the most traction, but can cause binding in high traction turning situations. They are also either full-time or part-time 4WD selectable."