2009 Prius News from Dealer

We'll just have to wait and see what the 09's look and perform like.... Personally , I never trust a salesman about future features.

Keith

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(OUscarb @ Oct 9 2007, 07:00 PM) [snapback]523381[/snapback]</div>

Sounds like new batteries and plug in may actually be happening then. That be the only way they could get 72-75mpg with the new EPA ratings.

 

72-75 EPA MPGs is not credible.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Oct 9 2007, 10:53 PM) [snapback]523415[/snapback]</div>

A more reputable source (Bill Reinert - National manager Advanced Technology for Toyota) stated last year in a conference of auto executives that they have about 20-25% additional capability for the next generation Prius that could be used for either fuel economy or additional power. If it were 25% and that was all applied to fuel economy, then the next generation Prius might get as much as 60 mpg in the new EPA ratings (combined city/hiway). However, it appears this may not happen in the 09 models based on other news reports about potential delays due to a switch back to NiHM battery from the Lithium Ion that is under development.

One could argue that Toyota does not need to rush the next generation of Prius since the current generation still is so hot (reportedly only 10 days average on the lot four years into this model!) where it now apparently holds third place in Toyota's US line up in terms of yearly sales after the Camry and Corolla.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eric Nothman @ Oct 9 2007, 10:26 PM) [snapback]523431[/snapback]</div>

I heard it will have a larger battery capacity and/or possibly an enhanced electric motor would be the means to increase mpg. Unsure if it will be NiHM or Li-ion. Personally I'm not so keen on Li-ion given notebooks, ipods, etc. bursting into flames. I know different technology exists to counter act fire but still.....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eric Nothman @ Oct 9 2007, 11:26 PM) [snapback]523431[/snapback]</div>

This is more credible. As long ago as 2 yrs in the past when the late Dave Hermance was asked about 100 mpg Prius and or plugins he intimated that a 20-25% increase is more likely. He was never a strong proponent of PHEV's if I remember correctly.

I'd expect the new '09s to be here in late 08 or early 09 with FE values in the mid 50 range or as high as 60 mpg using the new methodology.

 

Car salespeople are the least reliable of all possible sources of information about the Prius. We've all read accounts here on PC of some of the surprisingly stupid things people have been told by the sales staff at dealerships.

Now that I'm driving all-electric 27 days out of 30, I won't buy a new Prius unless it's EV or PHEV-40 or better. PHEV-60 would get me into one in a heartbeat, as I could then make it to Coeur d'Alene and back without running the ICE. I'd seriously consider PHEV-40, since 45 miles is the range of my Xebra, and to be safe I take the Prius if I'm planning to go 40 miles or more.

If the '09 Prius is not PHEV, and it sounds like it won't be, I'll stick with my '04. It's a great car and the only trouble I've ever had with it was when the c/c stalk broke (the plastic physically broke) and it was replaced under warranty.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeadPhish @ Oct 10 2007, 08:31 AM) [snapback]523524[/snapback]</div>

Donlen Corp on their fleet website has the next Prius arriving here from 9-16 to 10-31 of 2008!! This would be right on time at 5 yrs from the former release. subject to revision of course...12 mo's and counting.

Link: http://www.donlen.com/buildstart_toyota.asp

 

do you guys think they would have the ev button like the highlanders have? i saw the highlander book and it has an ev button. maybe the prius will have one soon??

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tech_Guy @ Oct 9 2007, 10:10 PM) [snapback]523386[/snapback]</div>

Or current ones.

 

Until I hear anything new from Toyota itself I would imagine that the '09s will be a mild re-fresh (new headlight design, etc) of the current Prius with the major re-design coming in 2010.

 

Toyota consistently does this with its Lexus division all the time ... the have a VERY mild re-fresh when the model is getting a little long in tooth and then have a brand new model right after that. There was a report of a spy shot of next year's Toyota Prius and it looked very similar to the current model, but had a slightly different headlight design.

They won't make it anything major at all ... just something pretty cosmetic and cheap to implement for the most part. Again, this is just an educated guess overall based on the spy shots, but it's what I'd put my money on happening as of now.

 

Yes...and when I'd like a tasty meal, I book an airline flight!
[laughing]

 

http://jalopnik.com/cars/spy-photos/2009-t...rius-304255.php