New Prius in 2007?

I have to agree w/HSD. Portal Prius. Testbed dandy.

But I'd also have to agree w/Danny... I'd love to own a Hybrid Supra someday.

 

Toyota isn't stupid.... it'd be crazy to drop a vehicle that has consumers paying MSRP or higher... and.. in the Cleveland,OH area... has a 6 month plus waiting list. It may not offer an ICE only... but why drop a cash-cow....

 

Don't forget that the Prius is a hatchback HSD; hatchbacks from Honda are nearly non-existant...excluding anomolies like the Si...

Prius needs to stay if only to add another platform to the line or pure sedans and SUVs

 

I think it makes more sense to ask:"With the Hybrid available in all model lines, why keep an ICE only model?" They have already put out "more power, less MPG savings" Highlander. Proves a hybrid can carry power for those that need it AND get better mileage. Instead, have 2 engine options. Small Atkinson 4 cyl and bigger Atkinson 4 cyl. And/Or Bigger electric motor and battery. Any combination would still be much better MPG wise than a straight 4 or V6 ICE and would have equivilent or better power.

And I agree with the "Only hatch back model". Gives more flexible cargo AND contributes to the lower cd. I wouldn't trade my Prius for a Corolla sedan even if it had the SAME MPG and the SAME cargo/passenger capacities ( the current model falls short).

 

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:
Ok I just got to put in my two cents in here :!:
First of all the model year, If I remember right the first Pri was born for the 1998 model yr. in Japan and that lasted throughout the end of the 2003 model year. That would make Gen 1 @ 6 years. I know of nowhere that says that will remain as the cycle. the current Gen could be longer or shorter than 6 years. So lets say that Toyota stays with 6 yr. cycle for current Gen that would mean that it would be 2009 for this Gen to reach it's life cycle therefore 2010 before the next Gen would begin. Now this does not count on any mid-life cycle revamps (minor changes, usually front and/or rear end,color and packages).This also is taking in to account that the Pri is turning a profit and are selling enough units to do so (I think it is doing that and then some!).

Second, Will the Prius stay in the U.S. after the other HSD's enter the market :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:
That is a very BIG question! I have information from a friend that works at Toyota and the word is that Toyota will remove the Prius from the U.S. market sometime after the start of the U.S. built HSD. The question still remains on what that HSD will be. Rumor has it as the next Gen Corolla,but there is some word that Toyota might build the Pri in the U.S. :!:
Oh Ya the reason given for this change is $$$$ It costs more to import than to build here. Do remember that the Pri is made in Japan.

:crazyeyes: :crazyeyes: :roll: :roll: :guns: :cussing:
:roll: :mrgreen: 8) :mrgreen: 8)
Well now I'll just back away and let ya all fight over that :bootyshake:

 

http://www.cleangreencar.co.nz/page/prius-history
http://john1701a.com/prius/prius-history.htm

I'm afraid you remember incorrectly.

The first generation/"Original" is from 1997-1999 and are the Japan only vehicles. The second generation/"Classic" are the 2001-2002 vehicles available also in the US/worldwide. We are currently in the third generation/"HSD".

The Original and Classic look very similarly outwardly, but there are significant internal differences.

I can't seem to locate the quote, but a Toyota bigwig stated that the Prius is to be on a three year design cycle as part of it's consumer prototype/"To go before" model philosophy. From that statement plus the remarkable success and lack of any equivalent on the market, I highly doubt the Prius model will be discontinued anytime soon.

Earlier there was news of Toyota investigating producing Prius in the US. I believe they concluded that they wanted to keep such technologically complex manufacturing in Japan, which also makes sense if they intend to use the Prius as a prototype vehicle (For example, this year's Lexus GS adopted the SKS/SS&E after it had been tested on the Prius--don't want any of your big bucks customers who except zero problems discovering a glitch in their luxury vehicle when you have a customer base that's really happy to try new technology out their to first guinea pig on.). The Prius has 50% more parts than an equivalent ICE only vehicle and American car manufacters figured Toyota would have serious complexity issues. I think Toyota's best chance of overcoming such complexity issues ito keep manufacturing close at home where quality is guaranteed to be high and well controlled until it becomes a standard process and a mainstream thing to put hybrid drivetrains in everything.

 

I don't think that Toyota will discontinue the Prius, but use it as an avenue to push the limits of environmentally friendly auto design. They brought out new concept cars at both the France and Tokyo auto shows. Also, they ARE indeed looking into fuel cell technology. Check out this link.

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/08/toyotas_fine-n_1.php

While the car comes off a bit like the PT Cruiser ( Ugh! I really home they move away from that) the basic prius elements are all there.

 

I like the Fine-X. Motor for each wheel. Drive sideways!
Link

[Broken External Image]:http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/toyota_fine_x.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/toyota_finex_concept_2.jpg

[Broken External Image]:http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/images/toyota_finex_concept_3.jpg

 

I expect that Toyota will use the Prius as the platform for their 'plug-in Hybrid' that I think they will roll out in two or three years. That, or a resurrected GM EV-1, is the only vehicle I'd rather have than my '05 Prius (new in March, already have 21,000 trouble free miles).

 

I could go for that... I long for the days when I can refer to my Prius as a "gas hog"

 

The Fine-X looks more like a Matrix than a PT-Cruiser to me.

But it does look like fun...can't wait.

-Roger

 

I totally agree. I think the plug-in hybrid will be launched with the 2007 or 2008 Prius model year with a major improvement in battery technology (lithium-ion maybe?) where we would get about 100mpg on average with a 50 mile commute range.

 

this car look like a edited version of the echo

theres sooo many hybrid in japan, they prob gonna make another one just for the hell of it

 

They're currently working on the redesign, guys... look for it in the next couple of years. I don't know what model year it will be.

And if they're redesigning, I imagine it won't be dropped... at least for a few years.

Plug-in option probably won't be available through Toyota. They have worked hard to spread around the fact that you DON'T have to plug it in. That is a really unlikely thing to see on the next Pri. I think if someone is interested in that, they will have to go to aftermarket companies to have it installed.

 

it'd be nice if the plug in was offered as an option package or something.

I'd do it.

 

Dave Hermance, Chief Engineer for Environmental Issues for Toyota, has said in a recent interview that the Prius is set for a "redux" in 2008. Focus groups are already being asked what they want from the new car. The internal mpg goals for the revised Prius are thought to be high.

Toyota insiders also suggest that the 2008 redux will include a switch to lithium-ion, partly for lower weight / better power and partly because the cost of Nickel has increased three-fold in the last five years.