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Could Be Toyota's Answer To The Disappears Prius v(vee) Wagon

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by catgic, Oct 4, 2017.

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  1. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    TOYOTA'S ANSWER TO THE DISAPPEARING v(vee) IN NORTH AMERICA: A larger, hybrid version of the Estima maybe marketed in the U.S. and Europe as a Sienna Hybrid. It would be the first hybrid-powered minivan on the American retail market, but Toyota has not officially announced a Model year introduction date.

    American consumers have overwhelmingly stated that they would consider a hybrid powertrain optioned hybrid—if it came in the same size/segment car they currently drive. Minivan drivers are not going to give up their seven or eight passenger vehicles for compact hybrids. However, family-oriented minivan owners might flock to a fuel-efficient eco-friendly hybrid minivan.

    The Japanese Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan’s main features:
    • The Japanese Estima Hybrid uses a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine. The U.S. Sienna hybrid system will likely be similar to the one being used in this year’s Highlander and Lexus Hybrid SUVs. In the SUVs, the gasoline engine, CVT transmission and electric motor combo will deliver up to 270 hp total for a speedy 0 – 60 acceleration in 8 seconds. The Estima may be a little slower.
    • A four-wheel drive system dubbed “E-Four,” which regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel propelled electric motor and coordinates electric power distribution to all four wheels.
    • ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake system) for efficient wheel-by-wheel brake control and optimum management of the vehicle’s regenerative brake system.
    • 1,500 watts of auxiliary 100-volt power available via electrical sockets—enough to power hair-driers, laptops or microwave ovens.
    • A highly aerodynamic body design, insulated roof, and an “intuitive” humidity-sensing air-conditioning system—all designed to help decrease fuel consumption.
    • Fuel economy numbers targeted to around 40 mpg, and low emissions (the first minivan to meet stringent levels set by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment).
    Byron Sigel, a Michigan man who lives in Tokyo and drives an Estima Hybrid minivan, calls it “The best car I’ve ever owned.” Sigel says the minivan “seats eight, gets great gas mileage, good acceleration, is comfortable and has good storage. It is also very reliable.”

    Bring it on with Blind Spot Monitoring and Cross Traffic Alert, and I would trade my 2012 Pv5ATP in for one.
     
    #1 catgic, Oct 4, 2017
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  2. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    The Pacifica plug in hybrid has a 33 mile range on battery- The Pacifica is about $8,000 more than a Chevrolet Volt and both have a similar tax credit.
     
    #2 benkhanobi, Oct 4, 2017
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  3. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    benkhanobi - As some PIH & BEV lovers here in Florida learned, the hard way, during Hurricane IRMA... a "Plug-In Hybrid" or, worst-case an "All Battery Electric Vehicle," is of marginal or no value when "The Grid" goes away for mucho days or weeks.
     
    #3 catgic, Oct 4, 2017
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    I get your point about a BEV in an area with no electricity but why is a PHEV of marginal value?
     
    #4 fotomoto, Oct 4, 2017
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  5. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    My neighbor across the street has a 2016 Volt ( their 2nd) and they left it in the garage until the power came back- they drove their Jeep instead for 5 days, which didn't make sense, as the Jeep Liberty only gets 20mpg and the Volt gets almost 40 on gasoline-- hmm- and gasoline was in short supply, due to no deliveries and all those home generators- like mine- 8 gallons a day.
     
    #5 benkhanobi, Oct 4, 2017
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    estima hybrid sounds like a great vehicle, and will probably sell very well in the mini van market, but i have to wonder how many v owners will be interested in something that large.

    these days, plug ins are increasing sales while hybrids are stagnant, so it may take significant gas price increases to become really popular.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 4, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2017
  7. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    Well said about the v owners. The sales of the Pacifica plug in hybrid have been lackluster- and no doubt, having the dealer lots loaded with $45,000 Limited versions all larded up with fancy extras, puts the chill into the family budget.
     
    #7 benkhanobi, Oct 4, 2017
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    A Sienna Hybrid or Sienna PHV would be great. I think Toyota would see how the Pacific plays out. A Sienna Hybrid will probably weigh similar to a Highlander Hybrid so I would expect mileage to be similar. A PHV would help bump that number up. If they can market the PHV as not only a fuel saver but also a family convenience (like the OP said - able to tap into the extra power for camping, or beach outings or park day trips), that could help sell a few.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Oct 7, 2017
  9. cbydesign

    cbydesign Junior Member

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    As a v owner, this would be the logical next step for me if my family grew out of the v. I was looking at the Pacifica website just the other day, wondering about it some. My friend owns a standard Pacifica and it's a nice vehicle. Though, I'd have to say, if Toyota came out with a competitively priced minivan, I'd probably lean toward Toyota (not a big fan of FCA quality).
     
    #9 cbydesign, Oct 7, 2017
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  10. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    +1

    In almost 100 years, Chrysler hasn't been able to master producing a conventional internal combustion engine or transmission. I don't think I'd want to roll the dice with their attempt at a hybrid.
     
    #10 tvpierce, Oct 8, 2017
  11. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    I have read that the Hemi and the 225 cu in slant six are rated in the top ten engines of all time. I don't expect that the Ford Eco boost engines will age well. EPA emissions rules have caused some bad engine designs.
     
    #11 benkhanobi, Oct 12, 2017
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  12. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Many here are too young to remember the slant 6 and original hemi.
    I have owned a couple of slant six vehicles.
     
    #12 Prodigyplace, Oct 12, 2017
  13. VTBIGDOG

    VTBIGDOG Active Member

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    Yeah the original Hemi. As opposed to the new Hemi which isn't even a Hemi

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 VTBIGDOG, Oct 12, 2017
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  14. benkhanobi

    benkhanobi Member

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    Reminds me, One day in the spring of 1968 our high school physics teacher left something at home and asked me and my buddy to drive his car to his house to retrieve it- He gave my pal the keys to his 1968 Charger with a HEMI:D
    He told us to drive slow- his home was just outside of town in a subdivision- when my pal pulled out to return to school the highway was clear- he grinned and floored it- the speedo went to 100 mph in just a few seconds, it really surprised us. The teacher smiled when we walked into the classroom and said, "that trip sure didn't take very long." Things were more laid back in those days.
    I found this-
    1968 Dodge Charger Hemi Archived Instrumented Test – Review – Car and Driver
     
    #14 benkhanobi, Oct 13, 2017
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  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Want the hemi? No A/C for you!

     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Oct 13, 2017
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  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Want the plugin? No spare tire for you!
     
    #16 Prodigyplace, Oct 13, 2017
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  17. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    I got a minivan...I want a v for my small car. I will consider used v.
     
    #17 wjtracy, Oct 13, 2017
  18. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    #18 frodoz737, Oct 14, 2017
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  19. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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    FotoMoto - I say "Marginal" because... without a electrical power-source plug-in interface or available power grid electricity, you are lugging around "A Boat Anchor" battery for the enlarged sized, extra-weight PHEV battery installed in the PHEV, compared to the smaller battery in a HEV.
     
    #19 catgic, Oct 15, 2017
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the nice thing about pip and prime is that even with the extra weight, you get a bit better mpg's without charging.
    the real downside is the loss of storage space.
     
    #20 bisco, Oct 15, 2017
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