Featured 2019 Prius Ready for Sunshine or Snow at 2018 LA Auto Show

Does this sound like the possibility of announcing AWD to anyone else besides me?

 

Other auto-related publications are speculating the same thing. I forgot that AWD is already an option in other parts of the world, just not in the US, which makes it even more likely that it's coming here in 2019.

I wonder if the solar roof is coming back too?

 

Isn't it just the Prime that has a solar roof option in this generation?

 

How do you expect a Prius to get AWD AND still have 50+ mpg?

 

According to Car and Driver, the AWD is lightweight and compact, basically just adding an electric motor for the rear axle, which is only used as needed. Supposedly, this has a minimal effect on fuel efficiency.

If this is true, I definitely want it!

 

Yeah, and the Prius V had minimal effect on MPG too right? They don't even make that one anymore in the US and low MPG is one of the reasons why.

And how many years ago did Musk open up the Tesla patents, saying that getting away from fossil fuels is more important right now than lawsuits for patent infringement... So what does Toyota do? Absolutely nothing!!!

They could of had a far more safer extended range all-electric Prius up near 500 miles per charge if they used Tesla Chasis and battery configuration combined with their engineering prowess. They could of been pushing the envelope of what's possible in high-end luxury cars by now. But instead what do they do? Add more batteries and get motorists stranded with no spare tire because extra batteries for less than 50 miles all-electric power don't fit?

And now they're saying that they're putting an electric motor inside a rear differential? Wow... What an accomplishment! About as exciting as watching a slug travel up the wall. As Musk pointed out on the Joe Rogan podcast, it took 10 years to put seat belts as a required standard option in cars back in the day. And how many people died because it took a decade to adopt even the most basic safety standard?

And now here we are all the years later and the whole planet is catching on fire and they're like, yeah, we can't do electric, it gives people range anxiety. What a joke!!!!

 

Kia and Hyundai are packing solar roofs

 

Meanwhile, as major car makers continue to toil in their dark cave of fossil fuels... A vehicle design 20 years ahead of these solar roofs and AWD foolishness is teaching people to have even more fun than playing electric slide guitar...
Track Mode Is Out to Turn a Tesla Model 3 Performance Into a Drift Machine

 

I remember seeing a sketch with two, rear motors driving rear wheels independently.

Bob Wilson

 

“Rear Transaxle & Rear Motor
Maximum torque: 55 Nm
Maximum output: 53 kW
Reduction ratio: 10.487”

 

Torque sleep.

 

Would that Model 3 Performance fit my daily needs for low cost transportation?

 

Solar roof and AWD? I wonder how much that will let them knock off the MSRP?

Americans are drunk on auto credit. Simpler cars, please!

 

FYI - the dual motor AWD versions of Model S get greater efficiency ratings than the rear wheel drive only models. Just saying, AWD is not necessarily the kiss of death for efficiency.
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Using Elon Musk math, sure!

You know... a $35k car you cannot buy yet. $10k rebate/credit that will not exist when you buy. Gas saving ($5k) cooked into their math. There is your Prius priced car for $20k.

 

It's an asymmetrical AWD system; the rear is only powered when needed. While AWD and FWD were still options on the first Highlander hybrid, the AWD penalty was just 1mpg. The E-four system on the Prius is a smaller, lower power system that only works at starts and low speeds. Any penalty from it might get lost in the rounding error, and then much of that could be because of the heavier NiMH battery it is equipped with.

Hyundai and Kia are making Prius?

Toyota's AWD here is one motor. Honda's Sport AWD hybrid system has two independent motors on the rear. It is available on some Acuras.

 

Tire wear does decrease slightly... But you never ever fill the tank up with gas, so the car pretty much pays for itself after a four or five hundred thousand miles. And your hand will never smell funny from getting gas on them because you'll never again have to fill up.

 

What if I don't have a box/garage where to charge at night?