4th generation coming 2015!

Nope, the Icelandic dealers meeting! Sheesh! Everyone knows that!!











Lol!

 

I get what they're saying and tell you what, they better NOT have messed with the outside shape much. To cave into nincompoops demands and make the liftback look like an ordinary sedan will RUIN this model sales will become pathetic.

Dude is completely right they need to pimp out the interior. Right now liftback interior is so different from any other model and IMO, sorta weird and sterile.

There's going to be a 4th gen Prius end of this year / beginning of next. Maybe they'll call it a 2017 and have a very short 2016 carryover.

 

Many new 'eco' cars are out this year, many due to be releaesd later this year, many more due to be released next year and who knows what will happen in 2017. I know Toyota have a LOT of competition with a medium sized clean/eco car.

 

Ac

Actually I don't mind if the outside shape is totally different, there is no such "eco image" to portray anymore. No need to be drastically different from the rest in looks and no special message to convey by its shape. Can you imagine G4 looking similar to G3 and only improving technically? Yes some enthusiasts will buy but it will still remain a niche product outside Japan. I think the market for Eco oriented cars has changed from what it was back in 2009. The average buyer nowadays purposefully pick other ECO cars after test driving the Prius because they are willing to compromise a bit of efficiency in favour of other qualities including outside shape. If you follow the Mazda SKYACTIV story, they managed to improve on every other aspect of the car and still appeal to the ECO oriented buyer.

Therefore, to sell double in numbers or more, G4 would need to look sleek, modern and a class leader technically i.e. efficiency, performance, ride quality, etc. while remaining competitively priced compared to normal cars - this is probably what Toyota will aim to achieve with G4

 

Interesting to see function takes a backseat to form in here. Fisker Karma was a subcompact 4-door sedan.

"Form"; backseat of some 4-door coupes; your head is directly under the glass!
2016 Chevy Volt!

2014 Toyota Prius
Passenger Volume 94 ft3 (Hatchback)
Luggage Volume 22 ft3 (Hatchback)

2014 Audi A7 quattro
Passenger Volume 94 ft3 (Hatchback)
Luggage Volume 25 ft3 (Hatchback)

2014 Tesla Model S
Passenger Volume 94 ft3 (Hatchback)
Luggage Volume 26 ft3 (Hatchback)

 

When sitting in the back seat of the gen2, my head would touch the rear glass. I am not over 6 foot.

 

Re the 17" wheels vs the 15" wheels. If you have 17"s you can substitute 15"s. If you have 15"s you -shouldn't- substitute 17"s. The steering box for the 17" wheels is bigger/stronger than the one for 15"s.

Those who have put on 17" wheels say "no problem". But that is engineering "by the seat of your pants".

 

Good to know. The spec's say the turning ratio is different, but maybe that's just the tip of the iceberg. (have the 17" OEM btw)

 

So when does the 2015 Prius manufacturing line shut down and the 2016 Prius begin? Do we know when the 2014 year shut down for the 2015 Prius? It seems for Toyota to keep manufacturing the 2015 Prius past August 2015 would be unusual while all the other car major's are on line with their 2016's models.

 

Toyota (Build Out Final Order Start Up Dates)

 

Ok, but how should the Gen 4 Prius basically be shaped? Do you think it should have a trunk? Do you think a hatchback like a Mazda 3 hatch or Focus hatch?
My opinion is the combination of max interior space, small footprint and lowest aero drag IS what makes the liftback so special.
IMO, if the Prius becomes like a Corolla hybrid or Mazda 3 hatch hybrid, sales will drop 70%.

 

The Prius started as a sedan. Going back to that or a hatch that looks more like a sedan might net it more sales in the US. People just generally prefer sedans here. There is a Prius v now for those that want cargo space, and its next generation should be out a year or two after the Prius.

 

God I hope not. Ours was our first hatchback in decades, and I'm loving it.

 

Hatch ≈ 3/4's of a station wagon.

 

I rarely agree with anything you say, but I agree with the above 100%

 

majority of people buying prius are not concerned about the looks. making it 'better looking' might gain an incremental group, but might lose some as well.

people buy suv's. they aren't very good looking, but they fill a desire/need, and they sell a ton of them.

 

You might be surprised, but people actually like the SUV look.

 

Suburban assault vehicles!

Lol.

 

I don't agree: If people open a 'sedan' Prius trunk and see some fat battery and no folding rear seats, it's game over for the Prius. That plus a reduced trunk size, game over. 70% loss in sales.