Prius Owners need to be kicked

No more gas-only ICE cars for me, ever!

I like the Xebra PK, that looks like what I need for commuting when my bicycle won't cut it, and I need to pick up something from the hardware store. For longer commutes, it's hard to see a good replacement for the current Prius, except improved mileage or E-85 capability. I don't need a bigger engine. I'm not convinced a PHEV is economically justifed, I think it's better to go all-electric for the short trips, and use a "normal" hybrid for longer needs. Hydrogen fuel cells (fool's cells) are a pipe dream and won't happen for 20 years at best. Might be some serious attempts in Iceland with their extensive energy but expensive oil, but I still think improved batteries and supercaps or even compressed-air cars will meet their needs much better and cheaper without adding the expensive and complicated hydrogen separation/combination loop.

I could never buy an ICE-only car again. When my wife bought the Accord in '05 I said that was the last gas-powered ICE-only car we'd ever buy.

 

I'm rooting for them. Like I said, put one on a car lot and I'll buy it. It does not look safe to me, though. I wonder if it will meet crash-test standards, or if, like the Xebra, its three-wheel design will be used to side-step safety requirements. I'd never drive my Xebra at the speeds the Aptera goes!

The Volt concept (in a Prius-size car) would be an improvement, because it would be all-electric for short commutes, and yet have the ability for road trips. The efficiency of the Prius comes primarily from the fact that brief high-power demands can be met from the battery and electric motor, so the engine can be sized and designed for lower and steadier power output and tweaked for efficiency rather than torque. A Volt-concept car would have those same advantages but would allow you to drive on 100% grid power for the shorter drives.

 

I want a full-hybrid Honda Fit with 6-way power adjustable driver's seat. Plug-in would be nice, but not mandatory.

Harry

 

For my needs, the next Prius should come with some better interior features and a larger traction battery capability and motors. If they could make the current HSD system just a little bit more powerful, so that for example the car could normally run on electric under 40 MPH for at least 10 - 20 miles, I could make really good use of that mode. What I'm saying is that for short trips I could run them from the electric and never need to start and warm the ICE. Since I make at least one long highway run every day or so, use the highway run to re-charge the battery and let me run the battery down around town in between time. Adding a plug would be a bonus but I don't think it would make a big difference for me personally. The warm-up time in a cold climate is a really killer on mileage and not so good for the environment. Doing that less times per day would be great.

The vehicle size is very close to perfect, and as I learn how to drive it effectively I find it better and better. Maybe the last thing I would like to change on the next model is the standard tires -- should be a high mileage long life tire I don't need to worry about replacing with better traction performance (how did they get an "A" rating on that tire?)

Thanks for letting me weigh in.

 

Phev

Prius provides a beginning foundation.

1. A PHEV pickup and be able to tow a trailer.
2. A higher profile PHEV Prius.

 

I will disagree with this. Unless you consider the Xebra or the many NEVs to be "exotic" there are no exotic electric cars on the market yet. I think the Tesla (which I consider exotic) will come out soon, but with an 18-month waiting list at present, that's hardly a saturated market. The Aptera is also exotic, but looks much farther from production even than the Tesla.

 

when and if my prius dies.. (most likely my fault.. not the cars) then i'll go electric.. or another prius.

 

sexy mid engine convertible 2 seater
0-60 in 4 seconds
top speed 160 +
nav

maybe some carbon fiber bits

 

Okay. For me, a "concept" car is not a car at all, just a fairy tale.

 

So a Tesla Roadster should fit the bill then?

 

Anyone know anything about these?

http://www.phoenixmotorcars.com/

 

This is extraordinarily true. Think about the value and user satisfaction increases that occur as owners drive their vehicles more (and get more familiar with / used to the subtleties).

The Prius, by virtue of having all but its most basic controls on a morphing interface, REQUIRES even the advanced operator to look away from the road unnecessarily while these are often high-frequency-of-use controls a tactile control can replace, improving safety.

I guarantee you the next Prius will have much more touchable controls, though they will still not receive appropriate real estate (buttons will be more like those in European cars and less like those usually found in Japanese cars). Like current models, reception of the product by the public will be somewhat ambivalent.

~ dan ~

 

The body and most likely chassis is SsangYong Musso. SsangYong is majority owned by Daewoo which is majority owned by GM.

Oops, Wiki says I am wrong and SsangYong is now 51% owned by Chinese automobile manufacturer SAIC (Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) since late 2004.
It was once 51% owned by Daewoo until Daewoo got in financial trouble.

 

I do not know, with auto climate control and steering wheel controls for the stereo/climate control, I haven't even touched the MFD in at least two weeks. I only look at it to see the ICE/electric motor system status and don't even do that very much anymore. Am I missing something?

Of course I don't have Navigation and the upgraded stereo so maybe there is more interaction required with those...

Edit: And I look at the MFD when backing ... of course! LOL

 

Says they are going to be selling to individuals next year.

How much are they? Anyone know?

I have owned a few Korean built things and I personally don't really have a problem with the quality of Korean built stuff. More recently it seems similar in quality to Japanese built. I can understand an objection to sending $ overseas though if that's the concern.

These Phoenix cars seem compelling at first glance, 100+ mile range and hwy speeds from a plug-in electric... is that true? And cargo space/hauling capacity? Might be perfect for me, for weekend runs to Home Depot...

Edit: "Depending on Carbon Offset money to make it profitable." I don't understand this. Do you mean the company that builds them gets some kind of tax credit? Thanks.

 

Many people dislike the auto settings because they change the fan speed (and noise). I despise this fact whenever I have passengers.

If I don't have passengers you can't hear it over the sound system unless I'm on the phone; which also makes the noise irritating.

~ dan ~

 

I'm glad I saved the money and frustration and didn't get the upgraded stereo, Bluetooth, nor Nav that would force me to take my eyes off the road! If I'm cold or hot, I hid the AC button on the steering wheel. If I want to change the radio channel, I push a different button on my XM head on the center console. If somebody calls me, I touch a button on my Borg implant. If I'm lost, I ask my wife where I should go and she tells me