e-4WD?

Has it been 100% confirmed that the e4WD will not come to the US?

 

I don't think it will be truly official until the package information is released for the US.

 

New awd Toyota Prius not U.S.-bound, for now

 

does marketing think it will undermine hybrid rav4 sales?

 

Super 'lite' is exactly what needed in a car with low ground clearance that not pretend to be an off-road vehicle. Remember it has x10.8 torque multiplier.
And no, it will not undermine hybrid Rav 4 sales.

I like the fact it starts e-four by default, automatically disconnects and resumes as needed.

 

Well, I live in a place where it can be "slippery" 7 or more months of the year. I will tell you that AWD doesn't really help. You may be able to get the car moving, but good luck stopping it! It can actually be harder to stop than one without AWD, due to the extra weight it adds.

AWD usually allows the front and rear wheels to turn at different rates. See below for why.

True 4WD helps maintain control by spreading the power to all wheels, so that you don't loose control (vehicle looses directional control) if one starts to spin - one spinning is prevented. It can be more useful, but VSC does that too, without the losses and limitations associated with 4WD. 4WD is the system with a transfer case, wherein both differentials (front and rear) are locked together by drive shafts, just for those who haven't experienced this sort of vehicle. All of these 4WD systems I have seen or used are limited to about 90 km/hr (under 60 MPH) in the instructions of operation when in 4WD. You CAN drive faster, but I wouldn't! Because the front and rear wheels are locked together, the drive system will "lock up" when you turn. If a wheel can't "slip" on the road surface you will break something! For example, I have to shift out of 4WD in the FJ Cruiser when parking if I have to turn sharply to do so, and the FJ simply won't turn if it can't slip a wheel when in 4WD. It just stops moving.

So why offer "e-AWD"? Perception is everything in sales. People think it's better. That sells cars.

Of course many of you have seen the results of this "perception". When it is very slippery, you see 4WDs and AWDs, in the ditch, some with their wheels in the air! Or the ones that tried to shorten the other vehicles at a stop.

 

I respectfully disagree...AWD vehicles do better in snow than FWD, FWD do better than RWD and my opinion is up though the GEN III, Prius traction control in the snow sucks. Considering Subaru's entire current line up in the US is AWD, I think this is more a strategic sales bean counter decision...for now.

 

Oh c'mon, every one in US would like to drive on all-season tires, no wonder every one would also like to have AWD

Tires first, and suddenly Prius ESP and FWD is no problem in snow.

 

This was yesterday, I have general altimax tires for my Prius that someone who sold their subaru gave me last year yet still had to chain up while I can get through chain control with the CRV on michelin defenders no chains. Majority of our customers that live up there run either studded or just winter compound tires.

 

Take the same vehicle in identical winter snow conditions with the option of FWD with snow tires vs AWD with snow tires...AWD wins hands down every-time. If I stay in Colorado, our next vehicle will be AWD. I have never seen so many Subarus in the wild as I have in the Denver Area.

 

I was disappointed in the XV hybrid mpg and was hoping toyota would've improved on it

 

Maybe the reason that most Prius are sold in sunny states is that there's no AWD option! The number one car make sold here is Colorado is Subaru.

 

I just found this article that might shed a little light...

All-wheel drive Toyota Prius likely not U.S.-bound | LeftLaneNews

 

i'm not sure that's true, if you take cali out of the equation.

 

Prius 4th generation E-4WD

 

Home market only. There are many options etc only offered on the home market.

 

I wonder what those who own that "AWD" version of the Prius think about it.

I still think Toyota didn't offer it in the US, not because "it wouldn't be popular" in cold states (*ahem* Subaru), but because it probably doesn't work that great while costing more than what most people would be willing to pay for a system.

Have people who have the Rav4 hybrid commented on that car's AWD system? I haven't studied it much other than hearing it's a small electric motor that kicks in as needed for traction.

 

Can't speak intelligently about e-Four in the Prius or Rav4, but the electric AWD in the Highlander I drove kicked butt!