4th generation coming 2015!

Being more sedan-like is where my bet is simply because that is what most Americans prefer.
A true hatchback maybe what they prefer in Japan, but the Aqua already sells in far greater numbers, along with smaller cars in general. So becoming more, excuse me, saloonish for the Prius won't hurt sales as much.

 

The wedge shape is crucial to maintaining mpg and also that iconic shape. Toyota already offers hybrid sedans. I could see them improving the mpg on those models with more Prius like powertrains and styling though.

 

The first gen was a sedan, and still had a low drag coefficient.
I don't see the Prius going back completely to the sedan, but can see the hatch getting lower to become more sedan in profile. Like a hatchback coupe.

Lowering the roofline and reducing the back vertical area can improve the Prius' aerodynamics. It is a question of how much chopping into the cargo space and rear passenger room do you tolerate for that. I think Toyota has little tolerance for that, but they due want broaden the appeal of the car to Americans. Yes, there is the Camry hybrid for those that want a sedan, but there is also a Prius v, and upcoming Rav4, for those that want cargo space. The next Prius will have a MPG edge of 10 again over both of those. It will be better for it to appeal to both the sedan and cargo groups than telling one group that they have to choose MPG or whatever else they wanted.

 

Before, I was thinking the gen 4 would have a higher tail, now it looks like it will be lower like the volt, though it's hard to tell from the video. In order to preserve cargo space, I think the loading floor would have to be lower. "Lower" might be the theme of the gen 4!

 

It is possible that underneath this taped up exterior is TNGA and that is what they are really testing. Most of the remaining bits seem to be taken from Gen3 with the few noted exceptions, the differences could simply be a result of them wanting to fit to TNGA base and drivetrain underneath.

I find it hard to believe Toyota will tape up a finalized Gen4 design and take it onto public roads before it is officially announced.

 

Final road testing is usually done with a taped up "prototype". Then, after the introduction, but before production begins, "prototypes" are shown at car shows. For example, when the GIII was about to come out, -after- the secrecy period, Toyota were showing the "prototype" GIII at car shows. The final car was -slightly- different. Different wheels, better finish in the interior. Small things like that.

Once again, Toyota has said the G4 will be "sportier" than previous Prius, but with still better mileage. Having owned a -real- "super car", driving a "3 dressed up like a 9" in sporty terms is just fine. It was very boring driving along at the speed limit (100 km/hr) in a car capable of three times that speed! And no, I didn't speed much in that car, as it was painted in "I'm over here, officer - yellow"!!

So a sharp looking car with great mileage that is quiet on the highway is good.

 

It's all about aerodynamics above 50-55 mph -- and most interstates are 75 mph!

 

German car magazines say that 4. gen. Prius will be revealed at 2015 international Auto Show in Frankfurt Germany in September !
They also say that the new Prius will be about 5 inches longer then previous gen. 3 .
I am hoping they will style it similar to the NS4 !
I am also hoping for better soft-touch dashboard materials, that they get rid off the split rear window and give us a better on board computer which is worth mentioning .
My car back in 1996 could show info about windshield washer liquid, defekt head lamps, warned me to drive ccarefully at cold temperatures and so on .
So if my car back in 1996 could do that, why can't the high tech Prius ?

 

Agree. I had a BMW 325 in the 80's that had an awesome dash computer that told the driver more than they ever wanted to know (pre-GPS though). I am hoping for a large GPS-map computer screen(s) in the GenIV.

 

As large as a Tesla's?

 

Alteady exists....it's called a MAP!

 

Not sure why I would want to know about windshield washer fluid when I don't know how much oil I have left in the crankcase.

 

does toyota sell many prius in germany?

 

Um, no. Not that big. The Tesla S's screen is ridiculous.

 

SPYSHOTS: Could This Be The All-New Fourth-Generation Toyota Prius Undergoing Testing? | Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site

 

How many of these are we going to see? I'm grateful to have seen this on PriusChat first before it went to the net! Wow...I think there is definitely a mystifying interest on the 4th gen by everyone! Tesla will be watching closely too...

 

For those of you that are looking to compare the next gen Leaf to the next gen Prius the new specs have leaked at My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - 2016 Nissan LEAF Information

 

Unverified speculation.
It sound reasonable and would be nice to see.
At this point I'd take it with a pinch, no, pound of salt.

 

If this ends up being true the new battery will still weigh less than the old one and may have more performance because of the weight savings. Of course this may get cancelled out if they make the car bigger as all car companies seem to do with "mature" models.

 

Nikkei confirmed Gen4 to launch in 2015. The engine efficiency is also bumped to 40% from 38.5% of Gen3.

The maximum thermal efficiency of the gasoline engine of the next-generation Prius that Toyota Motor Corp plans to release in 2015 is expected to reach 40%.

The efficiency will be realized by improving the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) limit from 21% (current model) to 28%. The thermal efficiency of 40% would be the world's highest for a mass-produced gasoline engine. The maximum thermal efficiency of the "1NZ-FXE" engine, which is used for the first- and second-generation Prius, is 37% while that of the "2ZR-FXE," which is used for the third-generation (current model) Prius, is 38.5%.​

Next Prius Will Have Engine Thermal Efficiency of 40% - Nikkei Technology Online