New Prius C... it's now AWD

That link is in another post that we have been questioning.

The c looks more like the Scion FT86 II concept - the Toyobaru. So perhaps it will be a Scion hybrid? In any event, if the c is supposed to compete with the Juke (Scion already has that market lock) then I think everyone here just lost their interest in this model. There is a reason the Juke rhymes with Puke.

 

This is the Yaris hybrid!


This is the Auris hybrid!


Prius c


Toyota has already committed itself with press releases and Q1 of 2012 release. I heard rumors that Toyota may be working on a small SUV below the RAV4, Who knows it may be what they are speculating about. I think the magazine got it all wrong.

 

it's amazing that Subaru had a AWD hybrid system 6 years ago and did nothing.


if they had in production 3 years ago the would be "Kings" of the AWD world.


i think that if Subaru doesn't get their "act" together they will be swallowed up by toyota within 10 years

 

They could sell a ton of them here in Maine. I would have bought one instead of my Prius if it had been available.

 

they got it wrong for sure... it is just crap.

they think it will be based on small SUV which is RWD... which has nothing like Yaris/Corolla MPG in petrol variant.... they simply did not do any research before writing this crap.

Toyota already said Prius c will have best MPG of any hybrid in US market (they actually had PR with it TODAY), and thats not possible with SUV or car size of Prius v as crap Motortrend says.

 

There is a clash of interests here. AWD is great for 2 things; traction and traction. You either use it for racing or you use it for off-road excursions and bad weather conditions. The later also requires high ground clearance; the former requires decent HP/TQ. Neither of these requirements are to be found in a vehicle designed for the highest MPG crown.

Add to the fact that AWD adds more weight, eats up more power, and is more complex and you have a system that would be absolutely stupid to add to the Prius c. Again keep in mind that Toyota claimed this would be it's most fuel efficient hybrid and if they are trying to keep it under $20k there is no way you could end up with a quality finished product with nice amenities. You might as well throw a turbocharger on top of the package while we are still in dream mode.

 

not sure what exactly Subaru needs to get together because they are breaking their sales records, world wide.

 

You are assuming a mechanical AWD. Toyota's AWD hybrid vehicles put a third MG on the rear axle and add some extra battery capacity. This does add a bit of weight (< 200 lbs. - about the same as a passenger), but improves acceleration with not much added complexity.

I have been waiting for a high MPG (>40), AWD vehicle since giving our son our 1996 Subaru Outback 3 years ago.

JeffD

 

I agree - I just do not see how AWD would make sense in this car - the added weight, complexity, cost and mpg robbing awd seems completely at odds with the smallest Prius. Perhaps you could make a case for it as an option in the V as an option. The other area where AWD might have worked is if it was a through the road hybrid - essentially with the gas engine driving the front and en electric assist to the rear, but while some other company might make this work it seems crazy that Toyota would mess with this as their synergy drive is so great.

 

It does make sense but not on the Prius c. What you propose is not the demographic that Toyota has stated the car is aimed for.

Thanks for the explanation on the AWD system, Jeff.

 

you would think serious mag like Motortrend would check on what Toyota Rush really is and what kind of mileage it gets... it gets >30% worse mileage than Yaris with same powertrain and there is no way in hell it would ever get better than 51 MPG.

 

You would think. We are talking about MotorTrend though....

 

I think the Prius c is going to be more about practicality and efficiency and less about luxury. Toyota already made a vehicle with all 3, the Lexus CT200h. Prius is one car designed for all markets. Interestingly, from the first spotted spy photos, someone in PC was already complaining about the interior quality he perceived thru the window under the masking tapes.

 

AWD???

 

Winters, in the drive way are an 06 prius, 06 hybrid Hylander, 03 golf and '10 ford F350 all have snow tires, the prius and Hylander have michelin X. the VW has studs, when it snows everybody wants the Vw with the studs, much more than the Hylander(all wheel drive) or ford (4 wheel drive with all season tires), front wheel drive with studs is tremendous, the prius is getting them this winter, wouldn't want an all wheel drive prius, a loss of 10 mpg, before stability control all wheel drive was a must now it's redundant,IMHO,YMMV

 

All Wheel Drive

JeffD

 

Where did you get this?

Adding AWD mechanically is about a 10% penalty in most cars (5 mph in a Prius) and using a MG on the rear to improve traction on a front wheel drive car (see Highlander FWD vs AWD MPG) has about half of that MPG penalty.

JeffD