Russell Frost of "What Drives Us" Interviews Prius Chief Engineer

I thought folk might like to know that the black plastic covers have been reinstated — on my (fully loaded UK spec) 2019 Prius, at least. I was pleasantly surprised by this, as the naked painted door frames are still visible in the brochure shots.

 

I went out and checked: black is all you see with the door closed. 2010 Canadian Touring level fwiw.

 

Saves weight? Every bit helps!!!

 

Yep, I remember the video - and the chap's embarrassment. TOYOTA has made a big deal about keeping weight down with PRIUS & PRIME, with aluminium and carbon fibre. Not sure if they've drilled holes - but removing a few grams on a plastic bit could've been a good "excuse".

MAZDA, meanwhile, on the MX-5 "... went to extreme lengths, shrinking the radiator, redesigning body bracing and drilling holes wherever possible to remove material without sacrificing strength ...".

Anyone for polished aluminium bonnet and hatch - to save some weight (even more if the PRIUS is red)??

 

Is that true, though? I don’t recall seeing it on other cars in that class. Euro econoboxes, sure.

 

Agree. My gen 4.5 absolutely sucks in the interior storage department. I mean, hard-to-live-with sucks. I've only ever driven one other Prius in my life, and that was for one 150-mile trip - it was either a Gen2 or Gen3, but it had storage solutions.

 

Just paint does the trick.