Prius c driving uphill

Depends on if your towing a Cat D9 or not!

I do not think they are going to release a car that can't climb a hill, or even the "Grapevine or Donner Summit"

 

There are potential problems with any car going up or down or flat. OK, that was smart alecky. But what are you getting at? That it would be underpowered after the battery SOC is reduced? Yes, you would eventually have less power, but it will climb Pike's Peak ok unless towing or something.

 

I said Yes, it's better for uphill (I was comparing to my bicycles).

 

No.

c weighs less and has a more powerful traction-motor than the Classic model, which didn't have any trouble climbing hills... and I know that well, having driven one for over 3 years (59,827 miles).
.

 

It does???
Hmmmm.
I was actually pretty exited by the c, because I thought (at the time) that the folks at the Aichi Iron Works were going to graft a G3 drivetrain into a Yaris sized body.
I've since read (can't recall the link) that the c is instead going to use a scaled-down HSD...meaning that the total output will be less than the G3 (99 BHP comes to mind, but I don't have exact numbers.....) IIRC it has a smaller traction battery as well.

It doesn't matter.
The c-model will be rated to tow exactly zero pounds. Similarly, the cargo capacity will probably be smaller then the G3's 850#, pax included.
If you stay within these parameters, you'll have no problem climbing hills, mountains, or wherever this car's diminutive ground clearance and/or a paved road will take you.
It's just not going to be an issue.

I'm more concerned with the engineering changes that they've made with this model and how they will play out over the long haul. Oh yeah...it's a Toyota, so I'm sure that it will be somewhat dependable, but I'm going to hold off for a while.

That's just me.

Hills????
No sweat.

 

In past Prius, the traction control is pretty strict, if your 'uphill' was gravel, you may have trouble. If it is paved and under 10 degree slope, it will be just fine, dry or wet, but when snowy, traction control may make it tricky.

Google gives no hint where quantown is, so I have no idea how much snow you get.

 

Well until we have a larger audience actually driving the product how can we know?

My guess? Just like any smaller engined, smaller vehicle it's not going to be a mountain goat...but I would expect the capability to go up inclines...

My Honda Fit..is not "good" going up uphill for significant distance or incline BUT it can do it...my expectations for the Prius c would be equal.

 

better?? better than what??

 

I'm not sure about that. This is a good question for Toyota engineers and automobile magazines to test.

What we do know:

GenIII Prius curb weight = 3,042 lbs.
Prius c curb weight = 2,500 lbs.

GenIII Prius engine = 1.8L 98hp,, electric motor = 80hp,, Total system output = 134hp
Prius c engine = 1.5L 73hp,, electric motor = 60hp,, Total system output = 99hp

3042 lbs versus 2500 lbs, and the engine & motor output figures above. I'll leave the math up to you. Okay, I'll give you a little starting point. F=ma. LOL

(it's not as simple as F=ma (although it could be used as a rough estimate). Gearing, drag coefficients (air, rolling resistance, etc), and of course the velocity that you are comparing the vehicles at. At low speeds, the motor will be contributing a lot. At higher speeds, only the engine may be running.

 

Bummed it's only got 99hp. I was hoping for the same 134hp that the larger models have.

It could have been a little eco hot rod, an early-model VW Rabbit GTI.

But, somehow, Toyota is just a bit too staid to allow that to happen.

 

Yup. Bummer!
Now.....If they'd put the G3 power plant into the c-model, I might have been all over that like a hobo on a ham sandwich!!!!
Looks like I'll be holding off for a few years.
There will be another new toy.....maybe the G4 to consider then.

 

Any thoughts on driving a Prius C in San Francisco on a daily basis? The 2003 Toyota Corolla S has a bit of a problem on some of the steeper hills, although it is an older car now. Thanks.

 

I think the good news for city hills is that an electric motor produces maximum torque at 0 RPMs, so it will do fine at low speeds. Are there Gen 1 owners in SF?

 

The other good news is that the c-model will have a CVT.
I don't think hills are going to be a problem. With 99BHP, you're not going to be filming the remake of Bullit with one....but you shouldn't be a hazard to navigation either.

 

something is seriously wrong with that corolla if it is having a "problem" on any hill in SF

 

This poll is daft.

 

driving a prius c for 3 years?? the engine is smaller and battery is smaller than original prius....

I have felt good moderate climbing on a gradual climb, but if you step on it, it revs high and you can hear it!!