If I was Lead Designer for the Prius, I would.....

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Salsawonder @ May 25 2006, 06:19 PM) [snapback]261073[/snapback]</div>

Well, if you're all going to go for remote opening of the hatch, I want it to automatically close too.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priusguy04 @ May 25 2006, 09:24 PM) [snapback]261150[/snapback]</div>

No need to wait for the 2013 model. First, visit your local bicycle shop and buy a 'hydration system'. Pick up a 12V refrigerated cooler from the auto aisle at the megamall on your way home. Fill with your favourite beverage. Chill. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you feel the need to fold the seats down and sleep it off. :lol:

 

1. Height Adjustable seats
2. Less squeaks in the front console. It makes a great car feel cheap.
3. An rpm gauge integrated into the energy flow screen.
4. Built-in retractable window shades -- maybe electrical, controllable by the driver ?
5. Front console with minimal heat capactity, reflection to the outside. The darn thing is an oven.
6. Redesign of the front. The side is gorgeous, the back ok.
7. Keep the climate controls ! Now that I understand them (finally), I really like 'em.
8. Dump the 'high end' 6 CD player, and put in a hard drive and dvd/cd optical reader that is mp3 aware. Add a USB 2 port, and make sync to an Ipod plug & play. Add playllist and hierarchal music directory to the MFD audio screen. Basically, An iPod built-in.
9. Improve AC to the back.
10. Add side moulding to the doors.
11. Make side and knee airbags standard across the line.
12. Have an upholstery option more natural cloth like in texture.
13. Give it the road feel of a Subaru Impreza Sport

101. Organic retractable fins that auto-operate based on the built-in anemometer.
102. PV glass that also auto tints
103. PHEV !!! 40 kW, 20 miles, 65 mph EV

 

I wish the buttons on the steering wheel were backlit. Lots of good control features, but lose effective use of them when dark.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]260799[/snapback]</div>

Cool. Always wanted that.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]260799[/snapback]</div>

I assume you are joking about replacing the head lamp assemblies. I am going to get them adjusted, but the design is inherently prone to blinding other drivers from the slightest bump in the road.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]260799[/snapback]</div>

Nice.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2006, 11:33 PM) [snapback]260799[/snapback]</div>

The point is to have some fun shifting gears while driving in the twisties. Smooth CVT is prefered for everyday driving.

Since it is electronically controlled, some other shifting mechanisms might be possible that aren't available in a real manual transmission, such as the ability to program gear ratios. If could work that if you hit the red line, it continues to accelerate in a CVT fashion, so you don't have to worry about shifting before the rev limiter kicks in.

Another possibility would be something like a jet's throttle control that is used to select a target rpm. Something equivalent to the control a stick shift provides, but does so in a novel manner.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(danoday @ May 25 2006, 12:08 PM) [snapback]260988[/snapback]</div>

I like the idea, although I would prefer a visual indicator.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 26 2006, 02:30 PM) [snapback]261201[/snapback]</div>

Pretty much. You might as well have a regular automatic with manual mode or a regular manual transmission or a clutchless manual.
[/b][/quote]
I did test drive the GS 450h. We went to winding mountain road. It was fun-to-drive with the virtual gears.

Ken@Japan

 

I purchased the car today so I don't have much experience with it yet. But I think the best new featuer would be to download construction and traffic into the Navigation System.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michael H. Cox @ May 26 2006, 03:36 AM) [snapback]261231[/snapback]</div>

Oh, I have another one too. Why not an E85 Prius?

 

Put padding on the armrests and consle lid. My elbows get really sore if I don't add my own padding.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Subversive @ May 25 2006, 08:28 PM) [snapback]261106[/snapback]</div>

It isn't for everyone, I guess, and it would need to be selectable. Once you 'learned' how to drive the car properly, you should be able to disable the feature even if you originally wanted it turned on.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sam-I-Am @ May 26 2006, 03:25 AM) [snapback]261228[/snapback]</div>

Good point. I'd probably recommend both methods. The shaker is nice because you don't have to take your eyes off the road or lose concentration. If this were purely visual, the MFD would need to display a screen that was easily understood and told you what was happening at a quick glance. An audio queue might be an option too, but that would drive me nuts.

Dan

 

From The Simpsons episode ``Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?''

Homer: Some things are so snazzy they never go out of style!
Like tail fins... And bubble domes... And shag carpeting...

Homer: I want a horn here, here, and here.
You can never find a horn when you're mad.
And they should all play `La Cucaracha'.


Advisor: What about a separate soundproof bubble-dome for the kids
with optional restraints and muzzles?

Homer: Bullseye!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kevmac @ May 26 2006, 01:04 PM) [snapback]261394[/snapback]</div>

What a great episode... I wonder when Herb will show up again....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michael H. Cox @ May 26 2006, 01:36 AM) [snapback]261231[/snapback]</div>

When I first got the car I told my friend I had BT. He's used to BT in a computer, but not in a cell phone and he wondered why a computer would need to connect to the Internet. Well, here's a reason....to be able to download any updates.


I'd also like to add another improvement. Use the passenger weight sensor for the Navigation and BT override. If the sensor detects a weight over 50 pounds they become active.

 

1. Larger wheels and better tires, maybe in the sizes sold in Europe and Japan.

2. A drivers seat that you can use comfortably for more than an hour or two, and maybe a decient front passengers seat also.

3. Disk brakes on the rear, those tiny little drums are ridiculous.

4. and please, please don't try to sell me stuff that I can't operate while I'm driving the car-I already have big brother keeping me safer than I ever wanted to be, I don't need Toyota doing it also, I don't care what your lawyers say.

5. Finally I would like the person who puts the "packages" together, and changes them every year for no apparent reason, fired.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(j24816 @ May 24 2006, 08:25 PM) [snapback]260634[/snapback]</div>

- Full-auto headlights (my US version has the buggy off-via-door feechur)
- DRLs (if you can move the HID reflector for highs you can do something to make DRL)
- Fix the clunky brake grabbing in and out of dead stop
- Allow dialing phone while moving, especially for prompts(!) and extensions
- Add manual full-darkening of autodimming mirror (for high beam idiots)
- LEDs for all incidental vehicle lights
- Factory EV switch
- Factory shark fin antenna
- ODO/mi-km switch is not backlit, other switches could be brighter
- mi/km switch should affect *all* pertinent displays

 

Cruise Control

1. Lighted Master Power button that stays set when the car is restarted
2. Indicator on the dash that shows you have engaged a set speed, not that the master is on
3. Does not lose the speed value when the car drops below 25 MPH so you can engage it again when you get back near the set speed
4. "Forward looking" so it knows the grade ahead

Replace the "Function dances" with a screen on the MFD

1. Toggle Reverse Beep
2. Toggle seat belt warnings
3. Set "which doors open"

Front seat head rests that don't tilt so far forward. I would like my back to be against the seat, all the way up.

Tach?? What for, you aren't shifting, can't shift (what WOULD you shift??), I can't imagine why you would WANT to shift. The 'by wire' planetary gear transmission is one of the many "beauty parts" in the car. The tach would have no purpose.