4th generation coming 2015!

I keep waiting for some enterprising 3rd party automotive accessory maker to come out with a fake "tank gun turret" that can be mounted on top of SUVs. Why not?

There must be a customer base out there among the buyers of "coal roller" kits and truck nuts. I don't think they will be concerned about the mpg reduction.

 

Designed up to be a hybrid, that shouldn't be an issue.

 

Do tell us how the Camry hybrid sells -

Any hybrid sedan sells 3k in US on a good month.

Whoever wants 3k a month US sales for 4gen Prius 'sedan' raise your hand.

 

Looks like the 2016 Plug In Prius production is on line to start a lot earlier.

 

Interesting because right now it looks like they will be on sale at the same time, but PIP not available everywhere!

2016 Gen IV Prius
2016 Gen III Prius PIP

 

I don't think there's any chance the G4 will be a sedan. If it is, I'm out. Instead, I'm expecting an evolution toward a more veloster/crz shape. This might actually hurt aerodynamics a bit, but maybe the lower overall frontal surface area will compensate. So the mpg might be a wash, but driving position would be significantly lower, with maybe a bit less headroom. I would be happy with such a tradeoff, not sure about the average Prius driver.

 

Honda made both their Insight and CRZ compromised for cabin head room at the back and sales of those bombed (yeah I know you guys only got the 2 seat CRZ, but the UK 4 seater was really a 2+ very small 2). Prius will lose many sales if the rear is compromised, and not just from lack of taxi sales.

 

Gen4 will need to be a class leader and not only improve on every technical parameter offered by Gen3 but it will need to do so with a sleeker design that cleverly hides some of the less liked characteristics of Gen2 and Gen3. I expect key features of TNGA to facilitate a greater degree of freedom to the designers of Gen4 in a way that was not possible with previous generations.

 

or, it can be mostly similar to what it is now, and still have no competition.

 

FWIW -- three different local (green, yellow, blue) cab companies all use Prius model, none use Prius-v model.

 

Low driving position and more difficult to get in and out (like a coupe) would be dreadful for Prius sales.. And that would go against 1 of the first 5 tenets of the original Prius.

Veloster is a weird looking car. Too 'out there' and different. GOOD CAR BAD CAR says #72 of 152 cars in US, 5,200 units thru march '15. ahhh. Prius liftback in its last year is 23,000 ytd.

 

the 2016 Prius plugin will be a carbon copy of the 2015, current version.

The 2016 'Prius' is going to be a totally new model.

 

I love that the enthusiasm for this thread has taken off. I must read the input 2x per day to stay up, and best yet, the comments are mostly on topic.

 

I can't agree. The Prius Liftback is a car with a mission, and its shape has a lot to do with that mission. It strives to maximize passenger space, utility, and aerodynamics, with a goal of delivering high functionality and energy efficiency. Its middle of the road handling and modern/cheap interior reflect the lower priority given to those areas in an effort to keep the car affordable. With the Prius C now successfully established as the choice for the frugal hair shirt crowd (in a way that a more honest Yaris Hybrid never could have been in the U.S., so a worthwhile effort), it's clear that Toyota thinks they can move the Prius Liftback itself a bit upmarket, which I'm hoping bodes well for an upgraded interior and perhaps somewhat better driving dynamics. What they CANNOT do is "compromise a bit of efficiency in favour of other qualities", because that makes no sense for the Prius - that's what HSD versions of Camrys and Avalons and RAV4s are for. The Prius shape does not have a "special message to convey" - it's purpose-driven. And while it can certainly have a little more flair and visual interest, there are good reasons for it to remain a tallish air-cheating jelly bean of a hatchback with a raked windshield and high tail, because that's what works.

 

I did not say Gen4 should compromise on anything, it needs to remain (re-gain) as class leader but with TNGA, Toyota has/had the opportunity to start with a clean sheet. Before the Prius, not many family cars were made to the wedge shape just to minimize wind-drag. Toyota came up with this shape taking into consideration some of the restrictions it had around hybrid drivetrains and battery placement etc. We don't have to go so far as to consider the current design akin to fundamental principles of science - there should be room for further invention but its no easy task.

 

Well said vike

Was just reading wiki about 4th Gen Rav4 which started production in December 2012, started selling in US January 2013 as a 2013 model and was officially introduced in November 2012 at the LA auto show.

Based on above, it's looking like an October introduction of 4g Prius.

4g Prius will be first Toyota to get the new C platform.

I wonder who will faint when they first see 4th Gen Prius

 

Me, if it's anything like the Mirai!

 

Perfect description of why I bought my Prius and what could lead to my considering an upgrade to the Gen 4.

 

So the 2016 Prius Plug in will be the long in the tooth Gen III, while the 2016 regular Prius will be the new Gen 4 model. This to me makes no sense at all.