Featured 2023 Prius spy shot

The reports are for an improved Li-ion battery. Of course, no details. The bi-polar NiMH one would have a power and energy boost over the old.

 

This must be really close to the release version.
I think it looks amazing

On the drivetrain, having a plug in battery without 4wd seems like a waste of resources.
The big battery can discharge for sure something like 100kw. When having a similar sized motor at the back, (just like the one on the new Outlander) you can have minimal losses hence exceptional range when on ev mode. You also get better handling on any kind of surface. On top of that you get a nicely combined ice/battery output making it a power hybrid. All of these cannot be obtained with a fwd only layout.

 

The inverter for the current, tiny rear motor is in the spare wheel well. That would put it right below the battery of the current Prime; a potential heat source to consider for battery health. The rumors are a much more powerful rear motor. A more powerful inverter of potentially more heat would be needed. Which would need to be packaged with a bigger battery.

Other FWD performance models have done well for themselves in the market. The Prius nameplate is more of a detractor for that market than lack of AWD.

 

And even with significantly more power - the Honda Civic Type R has had over 300 hp in the past couple generations as well as the upcoming one.

And, for a performance trim, weight is a concern, as it negatively impacts handling. If they're using the same 1WM MGR as the new Noah/Voxy, as I'd expect (it looks like the 2023 Corolla Hybrid is also using this new motor)... for the same trim, it's 50 kg (110 lbs) heavier. (Impressively, this is *less* weight gain than the Q510/1MM MGR that's used on the Gen 4 Prius e-Four/AWD-e and the Lexus UX 250h - based on the Lexus, there's about a 122 lb weight gain from the AWD option.)

And, especially with a PHEV, weight is also a concern elsewhere, as we saw with the early Gen 4 Prime in the US market, where the middle rear seat was removed due to GVWR reasons. It could require changes to the suspension and unibody that further increase weight and cost (potentially for all trims) to handle a heavier battery than the Gen 4, while also adding AWD and maintaining a good payload - not offering AWD on the Gen 5 PHV/Prime would avoid that particular issue.

And, it's possible that the Gen 5 PHV/Prime gets a different floorpan in the rear area to make clearance for the battery to go further down, which could preclude the rear motor.

One other reason to not go AWD on the PHV/Prime: drag. Apparently the 1WM MGR is permanent magnet, instead of the older motors being induction, and this means there's some cogging torque when not in use. This will likely impact efficiency more than the older motors did, and that means a more significant reduction in all-electric range.

Conversely...

There are different ways to package the rear end of a PHEV with a control blade IRS, that could be significantly better than the existing Prius PHV/Prime (also worth noting that this car predates the Gen 4 Prius):



A fuel tank can also package a lot more flexibly around components in the rear of the car than a battery can, because molding it to a more complex shape is a lot easier than laying out battery cells in an oddly-shaped pack to fill available spaces. (This is also why the spare tire well is just empty in the Gen 4 PHV/Prime - it would cost too much to lower part of the pack into it.)

(The pictured layout of the Mk6 Golf GTE also makes it easier to watercool the battery than a layout like the Gen 4 Prime's, which is beneficial for battery longevity and performance, and allows much denser battery packaging than an aircooled battery. The Mk6 Golf GTE does have a similarly sized battery in kWh to the Gen 4 Prime, but as the Prius is a much larger vehicle than the Mk6 Golf (and the rumored Gen 5 Prius dimensions are close to the Passat GTE's wheelbase), there's room to have more battery.)

Toyota's not gone for that packaging though, AFAIK - the closest they've come is putting the battery under the passenger compartment as in the RAV4 Prime:

 

The weight difference for the latter could be counting the difference between the Li-ion and NiMH pack. It does for the US Prius. Looks like it's a 170 pound difference for the AWD-e on the Prius LE total.

Is the US getting the AWD Corolla hybrid? Not listed on the site at this time.

It could be wrong, but this site implies only the E-four system used on the Prius is induction.
https://toyota-club.net/files/faq/19-10-10_faq_e-four_4wd_eng.htm

In addition to the cogging torque, a de-energized permanent magnet motor will also apply a braking force while spinning.

 

I used the UX 250h because it is NiMH on all trims apparently.

US is getting the AWD Corolla Hybrid: 2023 Toyota Corolla Hybrid | Toyota.com

 

Ok people. About a month ago on the 210 freeway between the 15 and 215, I saw this car! Had know idea what it was. I thought it was some person going insane covering their car with leopard like decals. I had know idea it was a covered concept car because I had never seen a covered concept car like this! Had I known it was 2024 Prius concept car, I would have followed it and taken pictures!!

 

New Video..finally!!

 

Here's the first teaser:

2022.11.worldpremiere | トヨタ自動車WEBサイト

 

Finally the 5th gen reveal!!

 

The real question is whether you'll be able to buy this car. I don't care about cars that you can't realistically buy. Are they just trying to irritate their customers?

 

It's a fifth generation of a model that has been available national in the US previously. Kind of odd to unveil it at the LA Auto show if it was cancelled for the market.

 

I don’t think he was suggesting it is cancelled for the market, just that the parts availability and waitlist will make it into a unicorn like the RAV4 Prime.

 

Can't buy a Sienna right now. Can't buy a RAV4 Prime or hybrid right now. Can't buy a Prius Prime right now. I've been on a list for a Sienna for over a year and still nothing. Announcing new models when they can't/won't even manufacture their current models just seems like they're rubbing our noses in it.

It doesn't help that the stealerships misrepresent their stock situation by showing models that haven't even shipped from the factory and models that have already been purchased by other customers as "in stock" on their web sites. One of the largest dealers in the country is more honest about it and they have ZERO cars or vans on the lot available for sale. They have a couple of Tundras and Tacomas and that's it.

In the 1980's we used to crack jokes about how people in the Soviet Union had to get on a list to get things like a car or washing machine. Now here we are in 2022.

 

Lol, indeed. I put down 2 deposits earlier this year, as future planning. One for a RAV4 Prime in Feb (told 18-24 month wait), and then in May I put a second deposit on a Prius Prime when I was told it was 6-8 month wait, timing that to be a new 2023 model. Both deposits are fully refundable for any reason; just getting my name on the list and I would take whichever came in (dealers in Ontario CANNOT sell above MSRP). Very likely the new Prius will come first (spring/summer? I assume anyway, lol), and if used market stays ridiculous and I get another call 6 or 12 months later for a RAV Prime, I could consider a sell/trade of my new low-mileage Prius for profit (since I work from home now and barely drive anymore)... Long term planning.

 

Yeah, I have no doubt. Like I said, that is long term planning. I was told 18 people ahead of me on the list at the time, but surely some will get impatient and cancel if they suddenly need a vehicle immediately, or change their minds because of price or interest hikes, etc. So you never know.

But I digress, as this is getting OT…

 

I asked my Toyota dealer to put me on a RAV4 Prime waiting list, I think back in April. The dealer called me last month or maybe even at the end of September, that they will have one ready for me if I wanted to move forward. But I did not take an offer. No more tax credit, the car is too expensive.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.