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4th generation coming 2015!

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by edmcohen, Nov 6, 2012.

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  1. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Oh no, I wish it said the guys in the Prius camo car easily evaded the photographers, not 'tried to evade'.

    Hey, you're a week early
     
  2. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    We're calling Tony "Schultz" from now on ("I know nothing, NOTHING!"). ;)
     
  3. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    Actually I think I might be part of that 25%. I signed up for Toyota Owners Information probably six or seven years ago and periodically get surveys about up coming models mainly Prius for my input and comments. No pictures or real info, just questions. Judging by the questions, you get a pretty good picture of what they (Toyota) is thinking about. I thought all of you were doing that also.

    It comes in the form of an email. A link takes you to the Toyota site and it usually take about 5 or 10 minutes to complete. There is also a section for comments and what you would like to see on future models about the subject.

    That is why way back I thought the new gen IV might have a AWD option and there was a lot of questions in several surveys about AWD and what I would want and how it should work.

    I remember one survey over a year ago asking about smart phone interaction. There were a lot of questions about connectivity. My comment was I would like to see my Iphone work as my key fob. I wrote a pretty long explanation and suggestion. We will see if it had any effect.
     
    #4043 bestmapman, Mar 24, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2015
  4. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I do recall something like that now. If I fill out the same survey, it may get different answers now. I forgot what I filled in.
     
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I'm pretty sure the focus group Erica is talking about would be one in which you physically go to a location and sit in a room. Practically all product people do this from time to time (the smart ones, anyway).
    All cameras, phones, and recording devices are left at the front desk. Everyone signs a Non Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that references the potential for legal and financial ramifications of telling anyone what they are about to see. Then actual product, marketing materials, and other confidential materials are shown. Depending on the product, it could be physical (toys, for example), electronic (phone apps or software), or visual (commercials, very large product, or multiple images representing variations of a product). Everyone speaks up and provides candid feedback. Sometimes people are compensated for their time and sometimes not. When all is said and done, the participants are reminded of the NDA and they go home.

    In other words, you will never hear from those people until after the NDA is lifted which will be only after the product is publicly available.

    Also, sometimes the manufacturer doesn't hold their own focus groups. There are companies who hold intentionally vague focus groups for manufacturers who do not want the participants to know who is sponsoring them. In those cases, people might be able to say that they participated in a focus group that discussed passenger vehicles but not know the manufacturer or vehicle type.

    My guess is that since Erica talks about 25% Prius owners, they intentionally populated their group with 75% owners of other vehicles in an attempt to figure out what they would have to do in order to get people interested in Prius. Either from other manufacturers or from within the Toyota fleet.

    I know this stuff because I work for a relatively large company and we focus group new products and/or new features all the time. Sometimes with existing customers, sometimes with competitor customers, sometimes openly, and sometimes through a third party.
     
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  6. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    Quick, run for Congress while you're STILL so eminently qualified (wink,wink)!
     
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Tony's company also rickroll because he has experience with that.
     
  8. nwprius

    nwprius Member

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    I like what I see of the new Volt so I might not be here if it takes Toyota too much longer. Haven't tried on the Volt yet but will as soon as it is available. Drove the i3 and fell in love but cannot justify the cost. Hurry Toyota or I may not get Prius number four.
     
  9. Prius Team

    Prius Team Toyota Marketing USA

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    Different research set than what I am referencing. Good to see you participate in the Owner's research though! Thanks!!

    Erica
     
  10. Eisbaer

    Eisbaer German Prius Driver

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    Hi everyone,

    I just recieved the information from the german Prius forum, that a pic has been posted on Twitter today:


    The message reads: "#Pretest vehicle with belgian license plate driving around in Cologne? New Toyota Prius?"

    Interesting background: The HQ of Toyota Motor Europe is in Brussels, Belgium; the HQ of Toyota Germany is in Cologne.

    Hmm, not sure if this is just another test mule...
     
  11. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Hmmm. That's very interesting. The back door and windows are all wrong. Should be "pointier". Doesn't make any sense to round the back windows on a hatchback.
     
  12. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    Good eye...also, the rear door does not align with the front door accent line...looks like back door is an obvious "red herring."
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Interesting. It does have the current Prius' wheel covers (2012-2015). But yeah, that curved rear door.. that's different. Won't that create a larger blind spot with a thicker C-pillar? but then again, we can't see past the door as it's camouflaged so we don't know how the rear quarter windows will look like.

    For comparison, here's the old spy shot from 2013. The front door/mirror is the same. The Twitter pic looks distorted cause the roof line is flatter (like the NS4) than your typical Prius look of an arch.

    017-2015-toyota-prius-spy-shots.jpg
     
  14. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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  15. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    The door handles, or levers, look like they came off of a barn.

    I'm still skeptical.
     
  16. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    The pictures look like a Prius. Not a completely radical change to the design overall. Sure it's probably changed a lot, but some people on various sites were suggesting it'd be something almost completely different.


    I was all set to wait, perhaps even to 2017, but then my trusty 2004 Prius got destroyed. So, I bought a 2012 Prius Plug-in. Actually, the plan was to buy a used lower-end Prius or Prius v and then possibly resell it in 2017 or so if Gen 4 Prius blew me away - got AWD. However, instead I lucked into a low mileage tricked out PiP (which is extremely rare here) in great condition, and plan on keeping it for a while.

    In fact, our attention has turned partially to small SUVs like the RAV4, since that's what the wife wants. She won't be buying a Prius.
     
  17. scripto

    scripto Junior Member

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    The new photo matches the one taken in L.A. and posted here a while back. I think the rounded rear door window allows for visibility that has been reduced by flattening the hatch. Essentially the door is reshaped to match the curve of the roofline.
     
  18. talonts

    talonts VFAQman

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    That entire rear is a skin job. The real shape could be just about anything underneath it. That glass could easily be an overlay over the REAL glass profile.

    IOW, it doesn't tell us much of anything except the maximum size of the profile and MAYBE the final position of the door handles.
     
  19. FriarNurgle

    FriarNurgle Member

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    I honestly don't understand why Toyota decided to redesign the Prius. It was function over form. That's a big selling point imo. I've often gladly proclaimed how pleased I am that my Toyotas are appliances. They just work and are exceptionally reliable.

    The Prius was designed for the best MPG. Would have been nice if Toyota just embraced that. Screw the people who want "sportier" styling. Achieving the best MPG and aerodynamics should be the main goal.

    I'll be disappointed If the redesign sacrifices the drag coefficient for fancier styling.
     
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  20. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    Sorry but the point of a car company is to sell cars. Although I actually like the Prius styling, I'd say the number 1 criticism of it is the styling. If Toyota can improve the styling without significantly compromising function then that's excellent.
     
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