DC Auto Show - you can look but not touch

I guess it's actually a model, possibly a vinyl blow up. A very good one.

 

I th ink most of us that are interested in the new gen prii are still in a holding pattern, as for what the actual cars are going to be like to drive. It's one thing to watch videos of pre production models by people that have their own specific usage model and ways of explaining their impressions after one or a few times behind the wheel.
I know for a fact, that after driving my 2014 PIP, the Prime was a completely new game. I expect the new Pruii will be a similar experience for current Prime drivers. And very much like the info available to us waiting for the Prime personal experience, the new Prii release info is much the same as it was in 17 until the Prime was available for lease or purchase. And the current Prime can still B perplexing in it's behavior now 5 years later.

 

they are trying to build anticipation and suspense

 

Let's be real, you can't open it because:
a) They only have prototypes
b) The concept is not even finished yet, and they are doing regular developer crunch trying desperately to finish it in time.

 

The auto show is all image. They want everyone to be able to see the car looking its best, and part of that means without other customers blocking the view or displaying confusion because they don't understand a feature they've just found. Makes it easy on the press too, don't have to wait as long to get a good clear shot of the car without including somebody's backside leaning over the bumper etc.

I've been to a few auto shows and sometimes they let you get closer and sit in a given model. It's almost always the one they are about to discontinue, or they're doing a media program where they specifically want pictures of people crawling all around it. So your experience isn't unusual- that's just how auto shows work.

When we bought our Prius, the very first thing I did was go into a dealership with a paperback book. I asked if I could sit in the car and read for half an hour. The salespeople thought that was a little weird... they let me do it, but (thankfully) they also just left me alone. Gave me a great chance to work out the fit.

 

For a model that is available, I've gone to a no pressure, used car dealer to look over, and even drive, the ones I'm considering.

 

I'm attending the Toronto auto show next month and in the past they've let people into most vehicles (including the ultra luxurious Lexus LC500). Hoping that's the case this year.

 

Well, it must be working, I’m drooling