1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Prius Wagon Mod

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by liquidsoapdispenser, Mar 13, 2007.

Page 1 of 2
  1. liquidsoapdispenser

    liquidsoapdispenser New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    9
    0
    0
    [​IMG]

    I am confounded as to why no major car companies have come out with something between a Prius and a hybrid SUV. There must be plenty of people who want high gas mileage and need a little more room than a Prius offers, but don't want to step up to a hybrid SUV, since their mileage really isn't that great.

    Inspired by this concept, I designed a tweak to a standard Toyota Prius, changing it to a wagon (as seen in the animated GIF above). I sure wish Toyota would add something like this to their Hybrid line-up...

    I know nothing about car modifications (except for watching Pimp My Ride on MTV), so I don't know how difficult it would be for a shop to make this modification to a stock Prius. It seems like it would be a ton of work to modify the rear doors and create a completely new rear hatch. If anyone wants to make an educated guess on the cost to create this custom Prius Wagon, please let me know (especially if you actually have the capabilities to do this modification and are in Southern California).

    Note: I have an external page with this info here:
    http://liquidsoapdispenser.com/prius
     
    #1 liquidsoapdispenser, Mar 13, 2007
  2. jgills240

    jgills240 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2006
    190
    2
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The extra height of the rear hatch would create much more negative pressure immediately behind the vehicle, thus dramatically increasing the aerodynamic drag experienced. That's the main reason it is the way it's currently designed.

    Although I agree, hybrid technology would be more appealing to me (other than the Prius, of course) if it were in a Volvo XC-90 or Subaru Outback (which I've heard unsubstantiated rumors of developing a hybrid) type of vehicle as opposed to an SUV using it to get 18MPG. Although, with finally installing racks on my Prius, I find that I have sufficiently very near the same amount of space that I did in my 98 Outback, and that makes me love it even more!
     
    #2 jgills240, Mar 13, 2007
  3. cagemo

    cagemo Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2006
    132
    6
    0
    Location:
    california
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    II
    #3 cagemo, Mar 13, 2007
  4. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    82
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Nice illustration! I guess I don't carry anything that bulky that I'd need a wagon. Fold down the rear seats in my Prius and I have as much cargo carrying capacity as I need.
     
    #4 Bill Merchant, Mar 13, 2007
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Looks sharp and looks European-inspired lol (must be the 16" alloys). Kinda looks like the Avensis wagon.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Mar 13, 2007
  6. jrfaris

    jrfaris Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2004
    352
    2
    0
    Location:
    Windward Oahu
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Mar 12 2007, 09:10 PM) [snapback]404642[/snapback]</div>
    Volvo 1800ES, circa 1972 (I still have the one I bought in '72)
     

    Attached Files:

    #6 jrfaris, Mar 13, 2007
  7. liquidsoapdispenser

    liquidsoapdispenser New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2007
    9
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Mar 12 2007, 10:10 PM) [snapback]404642[/snapback]</div>
    At what speeds do you think this would affect mileage significantly (and how significantly)? I mean, do ya think it make much difference for 35 MPH city driving?
     
    #7 liquidsoapdispenser, Mar 13, 2007
  8. Skynight

    Skynight New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2007
    67
    0
    0
    Location:
    MIDDLESBORO, KY (SE KY, WHERE KY, TN., AND VA. MEE
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I think it looks great. Tell toyota I would buy one...but I like the topless one too. Don't tease me...they both look great!
     
    #8 Skynight, Mar 13, 2007
  9. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    For those of us who need a kid-hauler, I'll bet you wouldn't have to stretch the wheelbase too much to squeeze in a third-row seat.
     
    #9 larkinmj, Mar 13, 2007
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ Mar 13 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]405094[/snapback]</div>
    Nope but it'll need 16" wheels or raised suspension (not that kind of raise, just.. higher than what it is now) to accomodate the extra load cause it's quite low to the ground as is. I go over speed bumps as if I'm a ricer for fear of scratching the base.
     
    #10 Tideland Prius, Mar 14, 2007
  11. jgills240

    jgills240 Member

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2006
    190
    2
    0
    Location:
    Palmdale, CA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(liquidsoapdispenser @ Mar 13 2007, 07:59 PM) [snapback]405088[/snapback]</div>
    Actually, it's much more pronounced that it would seem. I've done windtunnel tests at SDSU on NASCAR race car models, and they begin to feel the effects of pressure drag starting at even 40mph. So yes, on a high square back vehicle, 35mph will be within the pressure drag envelope. But like i said, i'm all for it!
     
    #11 jgills240, Mar 14, 2007
  12. scoot

    scoot Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2006
    125
    1
    0
    On a somewhat related note... I live in Los Angeles. Lots of limo service for lots of people. Some people are going with "Green" limos now -- these are Prius cars and Mercedes bio-diesels. What I haven't seen yet and I'm waiting to see, is a stretch Prius. Not a HUGE stretch, just 6 - 12 inches or so... I guess the coachbuilders are all afraid to saw a Prius in half, or maybe it is just that the market demand is so limited....
     
    #12 scoot, Mar 14, 2007
  13. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Mar 14 2007, 01:49 PM) [snapback]405482[/snapback]</div>
    If you stretch the Prius that much and change the roofline as in the photo, you should be able to get in a third-row. Sure, you'd have added weight and drag from the roof, but we could still acheive maybe- mechanical engineers, weigh in here- what, 80% of the Prius' fuel efficiency? That would still be a hell of a lot better than my wife's Pilot.
    Those of us who need to haul more than five people on a regular basis have (in this country) a choice of either a bloated "mini"-van on an SUV (one exception would be the Mazda5). Build a vehicle like this, and I'd buy one tomorrow, and I'm sure a lot of other folks would too. Toyota, are you listening?
     
    #13 larkinmj, Mar 14, 2007
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,024
    16,244
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    And they'll refer you to the HiHy lol.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Mar 14, 2007
  15. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
    1,292
    82
    11
    Location:
    Camas, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Here, have your third and fourth row seats for the kids and friends, plus the low back end to reduce the drag.
     

    Attached Files:

    #15 NoMoShocks, Mar 15, 2007
  16. redcane

    redcane New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2007
    3
    0
    0
    With the above stretched prius I imagine you can also fit a *buttload* more batteries. I reckon you could also put motors in the back wheels.
     
    #16 redcane, Mar 15, 2007
  17. John in LB

    John in LB Life is good

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2006
    399
    27
    0
    Location:
    Orange County
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redcane @ Mar 15 2007, 12:47 AM) [snapback]405951[/snapback]</div>

    Oh what the heck - why don't we make it a Touring model, drop in a 5.6L semi-hemi engine in there... And can you imagine the stiffening plate underneath this thing????

    How far do you think it would go in EV mode?

    :p
     
    #17 John in LB, Mar 15, 2007
  18. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Mar 15 2007, 08:37 AM) [snapback]405978[/snapback]</div>
    To the end of your driveway (if it's downhill) :)
     
    #18 larkinmj, Mar 15, 2007
  19. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2007
    1,292
    82
    11
    Location:
    Camas, WA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    There are feet holes in the floorboards for the second, third and fourth row seats. When in EV mode, all passengers are required to put their feet through the holes and run, saying "Yaba Daba Du!"

    And did I mention, it is a Plug-In too, with the added advantage that the front end can be plugged in at work at the same time the back end is plugged in at home.
     
    #19 NoMoShocks, Mar 15, 2007
  20. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2006
    1,996
    5
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Mar 15 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]406129[/snapback]</div>
    There's a warning label on the dashboard that reads, "Danger! Do not hang giant dinosaur ribs on the side of the car- it could cause the car to tip over."
     
    #20 larkinmj, Mar 15, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2