4th generation coming 2015!

Maybe they no longer sell many. Try searching for Advanced Plug-in Prius. I'd expect a lot of people who'd previously have bought a loaded 5 are now opting for other vehicles like the Advanced Plug-in Prius or are buying other vehicles like Volts and Tesla Model Ss.

 

Work on Next Yaris/Prius c may be similar to Gen IV.

Toyota FT-Bh - Ideas Behind the Concept

 

So are you saying that sales will shrink because the car is 20% lighter? with batt that charges faster and will likely last longer, is this bad in some way??

 

I think he is referring to the Osborne effect. Osborne effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

only bad for short term sales of the existing 20% heavier version.

 

2,400 lb is a lightweight, like Yaris or even Prius c. They always sell in smaller numbers than the big dogs, Camry, Accord, .... even Civic, Corolla weigh over 2,800 lbs.

Gotta have some weight out there. Known fact small cars don't protect as well as a larger car in collisions.

 

If I were Toyota I would stick with nimh for now. Its proven good battery tech and once the patents run out this year (thanks GM for screwing us), it should cheaper and available in larger format. Just wait for Elon Musk to build his "gigafactory", which he says will be the largest lithium-ion manufacturing plant in the world by far. Let's see, which auto manufacturer already has a partnership with Tesla?

 

The Li-ion powered UK Prius+ (7 seat version of the Prius v, it's Prius v lowercase v grumpy) has good feedback regarding mpg's. I think the car is utilising the HV battery more. No worries about warranty. It's upto 10 years/unlimited mileage if you get it serviced at Toyota.

But your comment about interesting times ahead when the patent runs out is right. The old RAV4 with Nimh was OK and most are still running.

 

The most weight savings that could possibly happen from a switch to Li-Ion would be about 50 pounds. There's no way they'd cut the entire weight of the lift back by 500 or more pounds unless they make the ICE and electric motors entirely out of plastic.

 

there are many ways to reduce the weight of cars. the link at the begining of this post listed a few. not just the Li-Ion but also the materials used to make the car. In my prius c the hood and hatch are aluminum. I think it is something that can be done, but at what cost. the price needs to stay about where it is. my .02

 

This article must be old. And I don't get why anyone would have 'beef' against the curbweight? It's a lower center of gravity, I doubt it'll drive like a Yaris though I'd be curious.

What's interesting about the above article is the surity on switching to Li-ion.

It was around May 20th when the carryover was announced for the 2009 model (May ~20th 2008). We are heading around that mark to see if we see the 2015 Prius sooner rather than later. I'd hate to think the 2015 model year is to be released in the summer 2015, wouldn't make any sense.

 

Not many would question the benefits of reducing weight, and improving the power to weight ratio. Fuel efficiency, performance, and wear on the tires, are all improved.

But, it would appear to me that weight reduction is a multi-faceted issue, especially the coachwork One of the concerns I have (because I have experienced some damage), is from hail denting the hood and roof. Thin doors are easily damaged by careless occupants of adjacent vehicles. The structural integrity can be compromised as well if the body flexes excessively, not to mention the rattles that will follow thereafter. Welded unibody construction is obviously superior to cab on frame construction, but I am not sure a well designed "bend" in light gauge sheet metal is better than a well designed "bend" in thicker, heavier gauge sheet metal.

I would surmise that higher compression ratios (as we have heard rumored for the G4) would put increased pressure on the moving components of the ICE. We'll just have to trust Toyota that lighter aluminum components can withstand the higher pressure over 100-200,000 miles.

Then there are collisions. I think the law of physics will dictate that if all things are equal, the heavier vehicle will fare better than a lighter one.

Finally, there is politics to consider. American have long favored larger, heavier automobiles, and have been willing to pay the additional cost of ownership to satisfy that craving. Toyota is now designing the Prius platform for a world-wide market, most of whom seem to accept lighter-smaller vehicles .... it there a conflict?

For all of the above reasons (and more), I have felt the G3 was a damned good compromise. I now have 90,000 miles on my 2010, and it is aging well. The only problem I have experienced is bottoming out and hitting the radiator 'chin' when moving from a side street to a main street (in the west, the gutters are deeply cut to handle the occasional rain). Still no rattles; my lifetime average is over 50 mpg (calculated) and it will run for 500 miles at 72 mph. No battery issues, and only one tire change.

We just need to trust Toyota that they will not screw up a great design.

 

Does Mazda 6 have a sales problem in US because of weight? It weights around 1,300 kg

 

I have not seen many new Mazda 3's out here on the East Coast of the United States. This covers a territory from NYC to Boston. I imagine a few more will crop up as time goes on? That said - I like "people watching" for Prius.

Also, I think most culturally literate Americans will opt for a universal platform if it embeds style and efficiency in the design. And yes - I think Prius engineers are savvy with regards to their clientele's needs.

 

Just checked Mazda UK page and it says Mazda 6 Kerb weight incl. driver (75kg) is 1447 kg and 1553 kg for the diesel. For the current Prius, the Kerb weight (kg) is between 1365-1425 so not much of a difference there and the Prius seem to be already better (lighter)

 

Apparently our local official site has wrong data.

 

I'm seeing a lot of commercials for the clearings of Prius Gen III. It can only mean one thing...Make way for the 2015 model...

 

The drivetrain engineers yes. But we have a 2005 Accord sedan in the family, right next to the Prius. I can compare the dr. seat / seat position against the Prius and I say Toyota should throw the bums out who laid out the 3rd gen Prius driver's seat and primary controls. The Prius has just about as much front to back interior room as the Accord. Why must I have to reach down near my knees to grab the stupid steering wheel? It reminds me of how it would be to drive a toy go-cart. Funny how the word 'toy' is in Toyota.

Of all the cars they could have F up the dr. seating on, they pick this one.

If one doesn't like a particular thing about brand A Prius liftback car (Toyota), can you just side step to an equivalent? Honda Insight? No.

 

Speculating no change for 2015 Prius based on updated order date, or it would have been "TBD" (To be determined). Toyota (Build Out Final Order Start Up Dates)

 

in the old days you could change the seat put in some from your favorite car say a honda. but now days they have air bags and heat? other stuff I think it would be difficult to change up the seats.