5th Generation Prius

I asked a native language speaker to skim it for me, mainly hoping there is something about a EV flavor.
Nop:
"Main line-up for Next version Gen5 would be
a plug in hybrid but unplugged hybrid(traditional) spec would yet remain as a ‘low-priced edition(entry grade)’.
Gen5 Prius may be unified to a plug in hybrid except for entry grade
No mention of all electric version

Other points; Gen 5 :
-Height will lower 55mm to improve aerodynamics
-Engine type will be kept with 2ZR 1.8L 4 dir.
-Launch Year 2022
"

 

I hope so. And spare please...

That hopefully means they start arriving this September/October.

 

I suppose that dashes any hope of restoring any of the awesome storage space that vanished from Gen 3 to Gen 4.

 

Prodigy was saying I was covering old ground, I think.

 

I really hope they turn around on this “low-priced edition (entry grade)” still being hybrid stance.

I suspect there’s a LOT of potential customers not interested in a plug-in, or just apartment dwelling and/or street parked. Not everyone’s up for this:

New 21 Prime limited commute strategy | PriusChat

The plug-in batteries are much larger/heavier/expensive. And using the prime as an example: compromised hatch volume and no integrated spare.

Is Toyota just out-of-touch, or actively trying to make Prius extinct?

 

Did @Mendel Leisk just call old?

 

That would wreck the ground dynamics for me. My Gen3 already gets a bit of gravel from the center hump on one of my necessary road segments. Anything lower would require me to groom almost of kilometer of road much more frequently, using only a primitive box grader, for the benefit of just one car.

... or just get a RAV4 Prime instead. It has almost-Subaru-like ground clearance.

 

Surely they wouldn't lower ground-clearance any more - it would be roofline, maybe with lower seating??

 

Did anyone post the link to this article yet? Humm, I don't know if I like the new look...

New Details About Toyota's Next Generation Prius | CarBuzz

 

Well - it makes a statement. Looks super sleek. I guess if the litres/100km matches the look, it might be a good thing. Each of the last 3 upgrades (1→2; 2→3; 3→4) have been about 15% improvement in economy.

 

Just went back on the thread and found @royrose already had the link up. l also found the Japanese Mag-X article pdf @royrose posted. I will read it and translate it tomorrow.

 

OK, I read the article. Not much meat in it. Mostly speculation on the design front and very little about the technology that will be in the car. Summary of the article and some fine points.

• Gen5 Prius development has started, but the design is still under review and not definitive.
  
• However, a rough concept and development direction have been revealed.
• For the aerodynamic and fuel efficiency, what can be considered the "lifeline" of Prius, the "one-stroke drawing" roofline from the front nose to the rear deck, has been preserved.
• The illustration is based on that design concept.
• One prominent design change is 55mm lower body height from the current model which makes the Gen5 even more sporty look. It will suffer a loss of headroom.
  
• In addition, shortening the body length by 25mm and widening the width by 20mm is being considered.

• On the front of the car, "wild look" garnish around the headlights akin to Corolla yet a more distinguished design is being considered.
• The side view continues to show the upward waistline, however, the quarter pillar will be in the body-color to give a stronger impact profile.
• The rear door with an embedded handle resulting in more "coupe-look" is being considered.
• The chassis will basically follow that of the current Gen4 by TNGA-C platform, but the increase in the wheelbase by 50mm will likely give it an elongated impression.
• The engine will be likely to be a 2ZR model 1.8 liter, inline 4 that has been used since Gen3.
• There has been an idea of developing a new generation engine during the current Gen4 model designing phase but due to increased research and development needs to address the CASE ("Connected" cars, "Autonomous / Automated" driving, "Shared", and "Electric") and other issues, the development of a next-generation engine for C-segment vehicles were put on the back burner.
  
• With the introduction of hybrid in other models such as Corolla, the name "Prius" which means "to go before" in Latin has started to lose the existential reasons. To distinguish the model with the newest technology, the next-gen Prius is likely to have PHV as the main line-up. The conventional un-plugged hybrid model is planned to be left as only the cheap entry-level model and the rest may be all PHV.
• The Gen5 Prius is slated to be introduced in 2022 or later.
• Since Gen3 regular Prius and Prius PHV (Pip) had not enough distinguishing design differences, current Gen4 models of regular Prius and PHV (Prime) had design distinction in both at the front and the back. However, for the next-gen Prius, if the PHV is likely to become the main line-up, due to the cost it may be difficult to have a distinctive design difference in non-plugin Prius for Gen5.
• The year 2022 is the 25th anniversary of Prius. The new-gen Prius introduction may be aimed to signify this history. If the introduction is delayed, it is possible that the current Gen4 anniversary special model may be produced.

 

Couple of thoughts:

1. If the car is designed from the ground up, you’d hope they’ve managed to achieve a flat hatch floor this time ‘round. I’m not holding my breath for a spare though...

2. I’ve seen spy shots that look to have the same rim. Do we dare hope they’ve wised up, will supply a decent 15” rim?

 

Are you thinking of the Prius v spy shots (before it was axed)? I wasn't aware of the 5th gen being spotted yet.

 

The one I saw had that camo. I thought I saw a slope back shot, but maybe dilusional.

 

It's the same platform as Gen 4 - which was a huge step-up from the previous models. But they might re-arrange things like floor. That said - there aren't many cars with dead flat back floors now.

Lower roofline & less headroom - won't worry me - apparently I'm getting shorter.

 

I’d hope they could improve though, from the 4~5” bump imposed on the prime.

 

That's because of the battery, I believe - Gen 4 isn't too bad - and unless you're sleeping in it or wanting to carry glass flat - it's never been a problem. Mine has a Spare (pretend) Wheel - and the floor is more uniform than the version which needs a Tilt Tray if you get a Flat..