Sept. 2009 Prius with new improved steering & USB?

heard about the USB but not the steering. my 2010 does seem more stable on turns, but then again, it could be "new car euphoria"

 

There's this thread where the Prius team starts to get into the steering issue.

It seems that nobody knows what the deal is with two different versions of the steering- the Prius team said this way back when about the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) but has not updated as far as I know:

It's still unclear whether this first batch of cars with 15" wheels does indeed have the 3.75 lock-to-lock ratio, and if so if it will be upgradable to 2.75 and how this will be accomplished. I would not want to buy an early car with the 3.75 lock-to-lock ratio.

 

It sounds like the early cars won't have this and as to how they would upgrade it. My guess is a new front rack. I don't see any other way to change the steering ratio. It's a Prius, not a Mini so I wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

The difference between the 15" rim and 17" rim cars steering are two things. First is the electric power steering motor itself. with the 17" rims or V package you get a brush less motor enabling the 2.5 turns lock to lock. With the 15" rim you get the old style brushed motor and 3.5 turns lock to lock. Not upgradable.

Second is the program to the steering rack controller, this is what will be upgraded by software.

 

i guess the real thing is to go out and check my steering to see exactly where its at now

 

Any by the way, the USB connectivity will only be available with Nav.

 

What difference will any upgrade to the steering rack controller make if the lock-to-lock is the same? Less 'play' in the wheel or what?

 

Will the USB option be available for early adopters with Nav?

 

Yes, according to Prius Team.

 

Yes, but at an additional price.

 

ok, on my 2010 non-touring version its 3.75 turns wheel lock to wheel lock. now and i disappointed??. no, but i guess if i never had 2.75 turn steering, i would never have known what i had missed.

 

Crash safety is your paramount concern... and you are worried about a faster turn ratio? I think you'd be better off buying a hummer.

 

Clarification: Yes, early adopters will be able to add the USB to the Navi Systems (and it will be in the lower portion under the shifter, close to the seat heater buttons), but will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $200 USD. They also stated that once it starts shipping with cars, the MSRP will likely reflect the same increase as the dealer's retail price, although I suspect that there will be an install fee above that for those of us choosing to add this later.

 

If the dealer installed USB will be under the console, where will the factory installed USB be located come Sept?

 

hopefully under the dash as well. the audio jack is inside the glove box, AGAIN and that sucks.

i can see it as a way to hide your device, but my Zenn has an audio plug right on the radio and its WAAAY easier to deal with. my Zenn is still my primary commuter unless i am doing something immediately after work, so i am switching my ipod back and forth to the point that is become very tedious....springing for another cable is looking pretty much to be the thing to do