Production 2012 Prius Plug-In Set for Frankfurt Debut - 77% increase in MPG

Yes, due to weight issues, which is why I asked if the PHV is heavier requiring the 15".

 

Take a look again, zoom it, I think it is a nice attempt to make covers look like alloy wheels. Also don't know why the Plug-in Hybrid badge is not straight.
PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID: THE CLEANEST, MOST TECHNICALLY ADVANCED PRIUS YET

I think this base trim photo was released to generate some buzz for now. My guess is they will have a left-hand drive Premium trim model with wheels at the show in one month.

In the meantime, we will see the Camry and the GS 350 this month.

 

Tideland,

70 mpg (uk) is 58.3 mpg (us) IIRC

 

I'm not disputing that, just that I have trouble believing the actual production unit will have tires that wide. It might simply be a rendering instead of an actual photo.

 

it is just an rendering... if you look at tires, thes are not that wide... looks like 195 or 205 to me.

 

Some more thoughts.

So the prototype PHEV, of which 5 or 600 were built, apparently returned 65g CO2 on the Euro cycle. The production version is 49g. This tells us the production car uses 25% less fuel. So how is it doing this? Is the HSD now more efficient (which will affect the normal Prius too?) Or does the new physically smaller battery actually offer more range? We should know the answers to these questions at Frankfurt.

Despite what it says on the tyres, I'm pretty sure they are in fact 15% wheels with 195 wide tyres as now. Just a new design.

Looks like the light blue colour of the prototypes will be offered on this model.

My other thoughts are around the Toyota Lexus stands at Frankfurt. We now know for sure that 2 new production hybrids are being shown - the Prius PHEV and the 2013 Lexus GS450h. With the Euro spec Prius + (or Prius v in the US) confirmed as having lithium batteries, and the Prius PHEV certainly using them; is there a chance the 2013 Lexus GS450h will use them as well (certainly the boot/trunk is reported to be far larger)?

Also when will we see the production version of the Yaris hybrid? The new Yaris itself starts being delivered to new customers in September so will Toyota choose this time to show off yet another new production hybrid model?

 

I assume that the fog lights have been moved to the centre lower grille to leave space for the daytime running (LED?) lights - DRL have become compulsory in the EU since Feb this year for all newly introduced vehicles - and the Prius Plug-in is one of them - it needs a new approval from EU to circulate (like all new models).
I wonder whether the new DRL could be used on the "older" 2010 model.

Regarding the headlights, it seems they might have done something to the park lights and clearly the headlight is now rectangular in form rather than roundish.

As for the wheels I would not speculate too much - let's wait what Toyota websites will say...

 

PS: even if I wanted I could not buy it - I don't have anywhere to plug it in!

 

Yep - but it's 60MPGe non-SULEV unfortunately

 

Great insight. I think that means the "new, more compact lithium-ion battery" will provide more EV range than the prototype. Based on the CO2 g/mi decrease, we are looking at 20-21 EV miles.

 

Is the fuel reduction due to EV+hybrid mode, combined?
Or is this reduction for hybrid mode only, if the car is not plugged in?

 

From the numbers it has to be EV+hybrid mode fuel consumption, but I would not trust any of the whisper numbers until toyota actually officially releases them. We only really know about the demo specs, the production phv could easily have better software and a more powerful lighter battery. Or it may be the same as the demos.

 

The Prius PHV will probably be rated similarly to the Chevy Volt!

Fuel Economy

 

looks to me that range should be between 15 and 18 miles now... probably 17.

It could be less but with improved mpg with standard hybrid operation.

 

Look closely at the c-pillar windows and you'll see defroster elements in the glass. That looks new.

 

For a very large size image, right click on this link and select "open in new tab" or "open in new window," then click on the image.
http://www.toyotagb-press.co.uk/protected/vehicles/releases/2011/64960toy.jpg

 

Toyota has said 13-14 miles EV range for years. I believe them.
As I posted earlier, the NEDC is not very long, so I suspect the different MPG ratings reflects more EV use on the route due to programming rather than more battery capacity.

 

Actually, that was a by-product of translation.

20 km is what the development goal targeted.

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