Would you want a Prius AWD?

I just don't hve any use for anything like that. I stay on the pavement unless I'm on my mountain bike or on foot. Don't hardly ever go to the snow either... So what would I want with 4 wheel drive, or all wheel drive (?).

 

Not a good idea. AWD will just move the Prius into the gas hog arena. Let's promote "GREEN", which is what the (current) Prius represents.

 

I think the Australian Prius lacks LKA as well, although they do have HUD that the U.S. Prius doesn't.

 

Prius is great for city or highway driving, but if we are really talking green, the rest of the people in the country are going to need something that handles the white weather. I'm getting used to the looks of the Prius (not my favorite style), but the one thing I definitely need just to get in and out of my road/driveway that it doesn't have is AWD.

 

But the entire Subaru market of customers do have a use for it. If Prius could come up with a 40 mpg AWD Prius it would give them the entire Subaru customer base.

40 mpg, AWD, Plug-in Prius with EV range of 50 miles so daily commute is gas free and only the ski resort runs or bad weather work runs are with gasoline.

CHERRY HILL, N.J., Jan 4, 2012 -- Subaru of America, Inc. today reported record vehicle sales for 2011 of 266,989. Subaru has now posted sales records in each of the past three years and Subaru is the only manufacturer in the US to have posted four successive years of sales growth.

 

Unless I am missing something, there is no real reason MG2 could not be in the back, or two half sized MG2s one in front and one in back.

 

I read about someone who converted a car into a 4 wheel drive hybrid by adding an extra differential, motor, inverter, and batteries.

 

And now we're talking a $60k+ Prius, nah...

 

To me this is essential ---- since it would eliminate the loss-of-braking sensation that occurs when one front wheel slips during low speed regenerative braking.

 

That's a ridiculous number. Look at the price differential between the 2wd Highlander and the iAWD (electric motor on a rear differential) Highlander (THH). The added cost could be as low as $2-3k, a bit more if there is added battery capacity as in the THH,

JeffD

 

Timely thread

Putting studs all around combined with abs and stability control makes the prius a winter beast

Had an '06 Highlander Hybrid all wheel drive and it was useless off road, less then useless, in snow it was fine, so is a prius, actually the prius with studs is better in the snow, the Highlander had winter tires but no studs, no stopping it and I'm rather fond of stopping

 

Adding AWD would add weight and cost...no way...

My vote for driving in the snow still is my 4Runner,,,which I use sparingly now.

 

Subaru will have theirs in another year.



they've had their hybrid powertrain designed back in 2005


http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/06/subaru-develops-turbo-parallel-hybrid-for-possible-2007-legacy/

 

I would buy a 50mpg convertible before 50 mpg AWD

 

I was thinking of a Prius convertible the other day, what better way to enjoy 100-150 drives to nowhere in particular at 50 to 60mpg's?

 

So it's basically a motor built into the flywheel combined with a conventional CVT like Honda's hybrids?

 

Well, I was also referring to the suggested addition of a 50 mile EV plug in capability.

 

No. 4WD is overrated. What's more important is getting an efficient vehicle with good ground clearance. It would also have to be cheap enough to sell in numbers, though. The existing premiums on the uv hybrids are high.

 

Not per that article which was written in 2005 and claimed a 2007 hybrid Subaru....which never happened.

 

But Subaru has a cross licensing deal with Toyota to use HSD so one can hope.

JeffD