Featured 2019 Prius restyling

Yeah I noticed the mention of port and direct, interesting. Thanks for the patient explanations.

I remember back a few decades Honda we using a throttle body with a single injector, sort of one step removed from a traditional carburetor, a big step though, what with computer control.

 

Yes, there were many cars with Throttle-body Injection back in the '80s. From memory it was more used in US and Japanese cars, the Euros had used port fuel injection earlier, I believe (my '74 VOLVO had D Jetronic Bosch port injection).

 

Our previous Honda Civic hybrid had dual-lift cam lobes: low lift for most situations, high lift for things like acceleration on an up-slope. Different, but same intent. Thanks for the link, good video resource, I'd forgotten/missed that.

Addendum, Toyota's Valvematic is somewhat similar to the above dual-lift.

 

As with Porsche's Variocam and Variocam Plus. Comes on around 4500 RPM.

 

I understand the technical details but 'debacle' seems a little over the top. Has Toyota or customers pursued some remedy for the Gen-3 owners?

I agree it is a poor design choice fixed in the Gen-4. It isn't clear that other than a periodic cleaning, this is a problem that demands legal or warranty remedies.

Bob Wilson

 

The Hyundai DI engines actually recommend/require somewhat frequent use of a 'techron-like' gasoline additive. We have had a Sonata since 2012 and it is still going strong though without any problem whatsoever. I have been using Techron fairly frequently though.

 

I wonder why Toyota is going through the trouble improving the "old" 1.8 engine of the 3. gen. Prius yet again ?
They allready have done that with the 2016 Prius.
If they can get 50 mpg with a 2018 Camry which is bigger and heavier than a Prius and has significantly more hp than the new2.0 Hybrid system which has 180 hp,then I have no reason to believe that the new 2.0 l. system won't be extremely efficient!
There is no reason to wait until gen. 5 Prius as the new power train is even lighter and more compact,so it will fit in perfectly without any space issues.
They at least could make it an option !

 

They would not want the Prius to outshine the PHV/Prime!
People expect Gen 5 to be higher performance and more fuel efficient than Gen 4. The 2.0 HSD gives them some tools to help achieve that,

 

I think the designers have that bit in their teeth, but it's certainly not foremost for me.

 

That 52mpg Camry is the lightest trim with smaller wheels than the ICE model. Throw on larger wheels, and it only does mid-forties for MPG. Then its rating may not be as understated as the Prius's.

A whole new engine in the current Prius means running, and paying for, a whole new set of fuel economy and emission tests.

Ford built the V6 Vulcan for 22 years. Toyota is not going to ditch an engine line until they get what profit they want out of it.

 

On the other hand,the all new Auris Hybrid will outshine the Prius for long 3 years !

 

Not in the US, though

 

And it already outsells the Prius in Europe because of price.

 

- same here - nothing like as good a car - but was $7000 cheaper which would be tempting to many.

 

To improve an engine is only $$chicken-feed$$ compared with putting an entirely new engine in a car, particularly one like PRIUS where the Hybrid Synergy Drivetrain is involved. We haven't seen the figures - my suspicion is that the improved 1.8 will be more efficient in PRIUS than the 2.0 or so close that it doesn't warrant the $$$$ development cost.

They would also want to keep Gen 4 roughly equivalent during it's model life without big changes. There has been no mention by TOYOTA that even the Gen 5 PRIUS will get the 2.0l engine.

Gen 5 might be a totally different concept - hopefully with a 5 seat Plug-In version.

 

You would need a change in Australian Toyota management for it to benefit you.
They say Aussies do not want Plugins.

 

I think they might have a change of view - depending on how well IONIQ & KONA (I think?) Plug-Ins sell. Plus VW is contemplating bringing one here. From comments I've read on journals, there's a pent-up demand, particularly now that a few (only a few) charging stations are starting to appear. But the number who comment that "I've got roof-top SOLAR, just want the PlugIn to go with it", hopefully the cars will start coming.

Oh - and hopefully some decent colour choices - almost all the ones I've seen are plain white: