According to http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/66260/pr...its_113mpg.html, Toyota engineers are trying to make "The firm's next Prius... so efficient it will be the first production car capable of returning more than 110mpg. The newcomer is being developed to try to improve European sales. While the car has been a success in the US, it has met a mixed reaction on this side of the Atlantic, due to the popularity of diesel models. But now we've been told that engineers working on the new Prius have a fuel economy target of 40km/litre - a mind-boggling 113mpg." They are also trying to get the zero to 62 a second faster too. Hopefully we get that new one over hear in the States too in 2008. I'd imagine that this would be the 4th Generation Prius.
I am drooling! Go Toyota. If that thing comes out nobody could trash talk the car. It would be unbelieveable. It won't replace every vehicle but fine. Future is looking good. Plus by 2008 the Gen I & II will have a big proven track record for reliability.
It would be great if lithiumion batts. could replace the "old" Ni-MH batt. when they wear out. By the time Toyota gets the new style batt. ready for market, owners of older style prius' should opt for the best available. I would.
That's great! Then in late 2011, when I'm about ready to trade in Priapus, I can upgrade to a 150MPG model.
Be aware that the 110 mpg estimate is based on JAPAN's test of fuel economy, not the US test. I think on the Japanese version of the test our 2006 Prius gets something like 80-90 mpg, so we're not talking about doubling fuel economy here...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jbarnhart @ May 30 2006, 02:34 PM) [snapback]262902[/snapback]</div> Even still, that is a 20 or 30 miles per gallon increase for the Japanese version. What would that be in the US? 80 or 90 mpg? That is still a great improvement.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michael H. Cox @ May 31 2006, 09:58 AM) [snapback]263096[/snapback]</div> This is an old news... http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=18242&st=42 And, Toyota's target is 12.7% increase, which means 62 mpg combined. Ken@Japan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ken1784 @ May 30 2006, 09:18 PM) [snapback]263114[/snapback]</div> Plus whatever electric mileage you can manage from plugging in at night to use the 9-mile all-electric range that senior engineers say will be a feature of 2008 Prius. For many people with short commutes this could mean 100 mpg average, plus 20 cents per night electricity costs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ May 31 2006, 06:44 PM) [snapback]263285[/snapback]</div> It looks Japanese 10-15 mode test requires the same SOC level between start and end of tests. Anyone knows for the US EPA tests? Ken@Japan
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Michael H. Cox @ May 30 2006, 02:02 AM) [snapback]262656[/snapback]</div> Would this be a 3rd generation Prius?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ServoScanMan @ May 31 2006, 05:18 AM) [snapback]263291[/snapback]</div> 3rd for US, 4th for Japan.
apparently. I've always thought our 01-03 was gen 1.5 (i.e. updated version of the original 97 with better battery, new bumpers, rear spoiler, higher output engine, upgraded MFD etc etc) but quite a number here swear that our 01 is a 2nd gen because of the upgrades... despite the fact it's the same body. Might as well call the new Camry the 12th gen instead of the 6th gen if every upgrade = new gen.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(etyler88 @ May 30 2006, 07:25 AM) [snapback]262700[/snapback]</div> Since when have facts or truth prevented the likes of Limbaugh from trashing whatever they feel like trashing? If they were required to use actual facts, they could not trash any Prius! I guarantee they will lie about the 2009 Prius as much as (or more than!) the present one. In fact, they'll probably lie about it even more! <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pollibird @ May 30 2006, 09:15 AM) [snapback]262749[/snapback]</div> The NiMH batteries in current Priuses will last for the lifetime of the car. They won't wear out. And when has any car maker offered any upgrade to an existing car? It ain't gonna happen. There will be aftermarket upgrades. There already are! For about $15,000 you can upgrade any 2004 - 2006 Prius to be a plug-in with a 30-mile EV range. But Toyota is not going to market a LiIon upgrade to current Prius models. I think the story said the new ones will use lithium though.
I can already see it. Prius promised > 100mpg but under new EPA, rated at "only" 65mpg combined. Of course, the twisted fact was 100mpg was in Imp. gal. and under Japanese 10-15 cycle and 65mpg is in U.S. gal.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jun 3 2006, 01:49 AM) [snapback]265075[/snapback]</div> If under the new 2008 EPA estimates you can get 65 mpg combined, I think that will be great!
