Toyota New Global Architecture

Bob, I don't know about the hyhi . . . . but I swear, the RX/Lexus version is so production thick around the SoCal area, you can't cut thru them w/ a knife. Tons of 'em.
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New Hybrid Reviews, News & Hybrid Mileage (MPG) Info | Hybrid Cars article predicting 58 MPG Prius said Toyota did not confirm 4g Prius will have the TNGA, but this has been talked about from long ago, Will 4g Prius have TNGA?

Given all this time, it better.

 

Since its cited for one of the reasons for the delay, I'm sure the gen IV prius will run on the TNGA. This is following a VW way to lower costs and raise quality. It does forces some changes in the toyota manufacturing system (TMS) which has been a reason Toyota has been able to build reliable vehicles so cheaply.

IMHO the HYBRID tag probably helped more in the past between the two we have had
2011 16K
2012 18K
2013 18K
2014 13K
Which look very low compared to 34K in 2008. The problem is either the hybrid premium is too high, or fuel savings too small. That HYBRID badge was worth more in 2008, and fuel cost more too.

Compare Side-by-Side
Lexus NXh, Toyota Rav4 hybrid along with efficient cute utes like the cr-v with their less expensive hybrid system may pull numbers even lower. Alternatively the Highlanders high price may make the outlander phev look affordable.

 

TNGA sort of confirmed for the new Prius:
Toyota to Shift Half its Vehicles to New Platforms by 2020 - Bloomberg Business
Kato refrained from discussing specific Toyota models, saying only that the first new platform will debut with a mid-size, front-wheel-drive vehicle this year. The company has said previously that the next version of its Prius hybrid, which goes into production this year, would move to the new strategy, known as TNGA.
Toyota Unveils Revamped Manufacturing Process - WSJ
Toyota said the first vehicle to be launched under the new program, known as Toyota New Global Architecture, will use a platform for midsize cars such as the Prius. Executive Vice President Mitsuhisa Kato said Toyota’s Lexus luxury vehicles also will be made under the system.

 

TNGA - should make the 4th gen Prius more affordable, more sustainable/repairable, and more reliable. SUVs are popular in DC because road quality can be very poor, the higher driver position allows for better vision of the oncoming traffic, and they are fast. A hybrid version of the Rav4 would likely be very popular in Washington DC Metro Area. ... I can see the local car dealership sales rep drooling now...

I'm in Bob's corner with respect to likely needing a safer car ...or at least one that can drive itself. I can see the motor vehicle administration one day denying to renew my driver's license because they think my vision or hearing isn't good enough.

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@austingreen: between 2008Q4 and 2010Q3 - the global economy shedded many jobs -that unto itself hurt Prius sales. Before the Great Recession Toyota was even considering building a Prius plant here in the USA - but after the global economy tank they nix the idea; IIRC Toyota change the proposed Prius plant so now it makes the more affordable Corolla. Lower gas prices from 2008Q4 to 2010Q2 also made some question whether a vehicle with higher fuel efficiency was desirable.

 

better technological safety features would help negate the dangers of the poor visibility.

 

I am quite aware of the drop in autosales but they have fully recovered, and hybrids sell in higher numbers than in 2007 (previous peak) and certainly much better than 2010. The RXh and HiHy have gone down while the rest of the hybrid market grew. I won't go into toyota not producing prii in the US, that was about closing down expensive NUMMI and keeping jobs in japan not that the US would not support a prius plant in Mississippi.. The hybrid premium on the RXh and HiHy are much higher than better selling hybrids. I hope that the Nxh and Rav4 hybrid do better than the midized hybrid SUVs are doing now, but if you really want mpgs you may want a smaller hybrid. I hope that the 4wd sells thoug and it trickes to the cars

 

How about the Google self driving car? As I get older, my vision and reaction time changes too. Letting the car get me around seems like a nice alternative.

DBCassidy

 

Interesting that Toyota is quoted as saying the target increase in MPG will be 15% on hybrid models and 25% on ICE models. Even for an aspiration, those are nice increases.

 

i hope they already hit the hybrid target, since the r&d on the gen IV should have been wrapped up a long time ago.

 

Making Ever-Better Cars: Toyota’s Progress Report

My guess is that these figures are for the japanese not the epa cycle as this comes from japan. The number they have been talking about for the prius system is 10%. The new corolla eco probably has the pinnacle of toyota's conventional transmission efficiency, but TNGA has more efficient engines. Toyota's trucks and SUVs might get closer to that 25% ;-)

 

carbon fibre?

 

Compare Side-by-Side
In the bigger conventional vehicles 25% shouldn't be a problem. Look the new turbo charged aluminum body on steel frame f-series is 25% more efficient (EPA) than toyota's tundra. Its harder on a car, the camry is about 11% behind the accord/mazda 6 which use cvts and di to get more efficient. Toyota has access to all these technologies. But if we look at something like the corolla, its not going to get much more efficient. It already uses toyota's cvt tech, and the car is about being low cost so I doubt they will use more expensive technologies.

I think the figures really are on the much easier japanese tests, I would not expect them on epa.

 

And the base trim still has a 4 speed automatic.

 

Yeah -- that would be nice , but carbon fiber is expensive to mold and mass produce.

I personally don't like steel being used for door panels and the side fenders because it does not resist parking lot dings, dents, and scrapes that well. I personally like plastic panels that were used on the old Saturns because the plastic door panels resisted parking lot dings, dents and scrapes better than steel.

 

I'm hypermiling so my MPGs don't really reflect what normal people get. IMHO for normal drivers to get 8 mpg more than what they are getting now ... my guess is that Toyota will likely

1) increase the gear ratio range of the CVT to get higher MPG on the highway.
2) increase the thermal efficiency for the Atkinson cycle engine and emission system so it takes less energy during a cold start - my guess is that part of this will be done with improve insulation or improvements to the thermal recapturing system already being used.
3) switch to a smaller lithium ion or poly-Lithum traction battery option
4) switch to a more powerful and more energy efficient electric motor -
5) improve the ICE power stroke efficiency by tweaking the valve and pistons .
6) a Prius that is 500 pound lighter...


Having driven a Prius for 5 years what I hope Toyota will consider for the next Prius design

1) more ergonomic defroster/heater/air-conditioning control - using dials .Controls that light up with LEDs in the dark.
2) flat exterior paint rather than exterior paints with metallic speckles in them - or plastic door and side fenders that resist parking lot dents and dings..
3) a 12v power adapter that can handle tire air compressors (20 amp fuse)
4) an *emergency* capable SUV crossover type Prius with AWD, 9 inch ground clearance. integrated Jump start cables that allow a crossover SUV Prius to give 12 volt jump starts to other cars, and an electrical generator port that turns the SUV crossover type Prius into a portable electric generator. The SUV crossover type should have a place to install a CB/ham radio/scanner and mount a CB/ham radio/scanner antenna.
5) a properly hinged and secured oil change access door that doesn't fall off.
6) a dashboard with a place to properly secure a GPS , ScangaugeII, and/or dashcam.... the current curved textured dashboard surface resist adhesive based mounts and suction cups mounts for third party navigational instrumentation.
7) a place in the rear passenger area to properly secure a trash receptacle for messy kids... when I was shuttling kids in the rear seat - they didn't know where to put their trash....and neither did I.
8) mooring hooks to secure a large dog crate when the rear seats are down ... I make it a point that dogs ride inside...but some dogs need a crate...
9) obdII port hybrid diagnostic tool for independent mechanics to use that cost less than $400 so it is easier for independent auto shops to service the Prius.
10) integrate an outside quick release 120V electric cable-port into the front fender that support the optional Toyota 400w engine block heater so if people forget to unplug the port before they leave the garage it will not damage the engine block heater system.