PriusChat Gets a First Drive in the Prius PHV Tomorrow - Questions?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Apr 12, 2010.

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  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    See that guy in the Prius PHV up there wearing the cool sunglasses? That'll be me tomorrow, test driving the Prius PHV for the first time. I'm not really sure how much time I'll get with the car, but I want to try and focus on answering any questions you might have about the Prius PHV. If I can't figure out the answers myself from my hands-on, I'll round up a Toyota rep who can. So, what does everyone want to know about the Prius PHV that I might be able to answer from my first drive? Any photo or video requests?
     
    #1 Danny, Apr 12, 2010
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  2. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I can't think of a question yet. But I have a comment: YOU SUCK!!

    OK, just kidding though I'm totally and thoroughly JEALOUS.
    The big question on my mind is "how far will you be able to drive it for the test drive?" I mean, if you only get to drive 10 miles on a full charge, you will only have EV mode. Except for higher speeds, it would be just like stealthing. I want to know how the transition from EV to Hybrid is. How smooth?

    I also want to know if it would be able to regen the bulk of the EV pack the same way we regen the NiMH pack in the Prius. In other words, if I deplete the bulk of the 13 miles range, can I regen, say, five miles worth of stealth?
     
    #2 TonyPSchaefer, Apr 12, 2010
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  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Is it expected that the new lithium ion battery pack will increase regular hybrid driving MPG and if so, by how much over a 'conventional' Prius with a Ni-Mh pack.
     
    #3 Paradox, Apr 12, 2010
  4. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    I want to know how long it will take for that *grin* to disappear...you know, the one you have everytime you think about driving the car tomorrow and all the things you'll learn/experience before everyone else.

    you know...this grin...:D
     
    #4 Codyroo, Apr 12, 2010
  5. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    Yeah, can you accellerate any faster without the ICE coming on than in our Prii??
     
    #5 Rangerdavid, Apr 12, 2010
  6. Rangerdavid

    Rangerdavid Senior Member

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    oh yeah, AND






    you suck...............................(what Tony said, JK)
     
    #6 Rangerdavid, Apr 12, 2010
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  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I want to know how much it can accelerate and regen brake using pure PHV pack.

    I also want to know if you force the ICE to kick in, how long does it take until it shuts down. I would think it'll warm up the Cat until it shuts down.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Apr 12, 2010
  8. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I'm interested in the ICE start-up sequence stages, compared to what we are used to in the Prius. Along the same lines, what are the specs for EV only mode ?

    Thanks

    addendum: usbseawolf2000 and I appear to be electrically linked ;-)
     
    #8 SageBrush, Apr 12, 2010
  9. Tidalflats

    Tidalflats Junior Member

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    When is the "talk" about availability of a true plug-in Prius? Will there be an adaption for those of us who own a pre-plug-in variant? What conversion is there to determine both the "cost" of charging a plug-in versus cost at the pump, as well as the "carbon footprint" between the two?
     
    #9 Tidalflats, Apr 12, 2010
  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Sagebrush, you put it better in words.

    3) Will it has Navigation that would optimize MPG (wisely use PHV pack in CD mode).
     
    #10 usbseawolf2000, Apr 12, 2010
  11. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Are there any obvious interior differences on the prototype?

    Does the accelerator have the same feel in Eco/Normal/Pwr settings?

    Which steering rack did they give it? Prius I-IV or Prius V?

    Any other obvious energy-saving features, like interior LED lighting?
     
    #11 HTMLSpinnr, Apr 12, 2010
  12. F512M

    F512M Member

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    Do all members get to try it?:D
     
    #12 F512M, Apr 12, 2010
  13. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    Valid question !!!

    How does being plugged in overnight help with the environment/temperature inside the car?

    IOW, if the car is plugged in, and it's 0 degrees outside, I will want to push a button on my remote to heat the car maybe 15-30 minutes before I leave.

    (Think about frost on windows, inside & out)

    The current 2010 Prius now have a remote starter that uses the HV battery to cool/heat the car.

    How will being plugged-in, affect this?

    Essentially, if being plugged in doesn't affect the remote starter, and the engine is not being solicited to cool/heat the car interior, all the energy drained from the HV battery pack will be replenished by the PHEV system.

    Or, as I suspect, the fact that being plugged in turns on a relay, that removes the HV system from the car.

    One way to check for this, is to put the AC to FULL, turn off the car, plug it in, and use the remote to start the car, and see what happens.

    (kaboom? :eek: or it works :D)

    Now imagine if it works, and the drain on the HV is LESS than the amps going into the HV from the PHEV system...meaning fully charged and fully cooled.

    Last Question !!!

    If we get the EBH (block heater for ICE) installed, will TWO wires be required between the car and my house ?
     
    #13 markderail, Apr 12, 2010
  14. oms2burn

    oms2burn New Member

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    1) Charge time. a.-full charge (what range) b.-partial charge (what range)

    2) Power requirements (120 Volts? xxx Amps? Special plug? Trickle charge available? How many Amps for trickle).

    3) Handling...does the larger battery affect cornering, acceleration, braking?

    4) Reduction in luggage compartment (I guess we don't lose the spare, but lose the not-so-secret compartment above it).

    I'm jealous too!
     
    #14 oms2burn, Apr 12, 2010
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    1. How is performance affected (better/same/worse?) due to the extra battery or thanks to Li-Ion

    2. So let's say you need to accelerate fast (right turn onto a street). When you stop accelerating, do you go straight back to C-D mode or stay in C-S mode? I assume C-D.

    3. Does regenerative braking help? How much longer does it extend the driving distance (might be hard to estimate but worth a shot)

    4. The MID screens are different. Are they just as helpful in driving a PHV Prius? (i.e. can you get the information you want from it)

    5. How long does it take to pre-heat/pre-cool the car while plugged in? (Say... 0°C & -20°C as well as 30°C and 40°C)

    6. Is Toyota planning to modify the solar panels to trickle charge a Li-Ion battery (do not know if it makes a difference vs. a NiMH battery which they said had interference)

    7. Is Toyota considering route optimization in the navigation system? (might be costly since it'll require terrain data plus traffic data). This can help get the most out of the C-D mode.

    8. Last but not least. What MPG did you get in your test drive?
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Apr 13, 2010
  16. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    As with others, what are the range and charge times?
    1. Any instrumentation differences (ie. distance to battery drain)?
    2. Will there be a conversion kit for current Gen III owners? If so, how much?
    This last one is a bit out there:
    3. Will Toyota use the plug-in technology to build a sportier vehicle for the Prius family? Porsche seems to be touting their plug-in 918 hybrid, although they aren't even a bit player in the hybrid game...

    Thanks and have fun!
     
    #16 HI MPG, Apr 13, 2010
  17. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Questions:

    • kW vs mph (km/h) graph?
    • Will there be a chart or table that we can use to tradeoff speed vs range?
    • Maximum power drain from battery pack?
    • Any battery temperature changes during charge and discharge?
    • Any active battery temperature systems?
    • Do the operator displays show quantities, not just colored lines and bars?
    Bob Wilson
     
    #17 bwilson4web, Apr 13, 2010
  18. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Will you have a ScanGauge plugged in to monitor things while you drive?
     
    #18 zenMachine, Apr 13, 2010
  19. Erikon

    Erikon Active Member

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    Some pricing info would be nice... yeah, I know, dream on!:p

    Did they jazz up the display any?
     
    #19 Erikon, Apr 13, 2010
  20. John2010

    John2010 Junior Member

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    • Can I go with you?
    • How fast will it go in EV mode: when cold, when warm?
     
    #20 John2010, Apr 13, 2010
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