07 Prius to have Euro-tuned Suspension option!!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bernzx @ Sep 2 2006, 01:16 AM) [snapback]312982[/snapback]</div>

What does "European tuned" really mean? It was tuned at Nurburgring?! or just on the Autobahn...

Some (Presto, Docvjay, Escalade_on_22s?) have already upgraded their Prius with the TRD Sportivo suspension, which should be as good or better than the new "tuned" suspension, and seem quite satisfied with it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Sep 2 2006, 10:08 AM) [snapback]313050[/snapback]</div>

Count me in with this illustrious group...I've just had the Sportivo suspension added to my Prius and, though I haven't driven her much (yet) I'd say that the difference between this setup and stock is substantial. It's not like the Touring Edition, either, where anyone can just stroll in and order one...adding the Sportivo parts is something a little bit more unique.

The other thing is, I will NEVER AGAIN own a car with low profile tires!! My '97 Carrera used to have 35's on it, and the rims were SO vulnerable to road imperfections, kerbs, etc.

I know, just don't hit the kerb and the wheels won't get damaged, but even careful drivers make mistakes sometimes. Those 16" rims on the Touring Edition, especially the way they're designed (with the spokes set at the outside edge of the wheel) seem problematic to me.

Besides, with the itsy bitsy friction brakes fitted to the Prius, it doesn't make sense to me why all that airflow would be necessary in the first place.

My preference would be to stay with the 65's on the 15" wheels (not the Integrity tires, though), take the trim rings off, and add the Sportivo bits. Or you might add those fab looking 17" lightweight Centerlines, if that's more your style. And if you want a little more performance, there's always the BT brace.

Just my $0.02, adjusted for inflation.
[smile]

 

Here's some blurb from the UK Prius launch press release about the European suspension. Doesn't mean much to me, but it might tell you something. There was some sort of suspension improvement towards the end of 2005 as well.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Sep 15 2006, 03:13 AM) [snapback]319964[/snapback]</div>

I think this is a true statement...but from what I've heard, the "vehicle dynamics" that differentiate the US (and perhaps Japanese) markets from that of Europe have to do with good throttle 'tip-in' response; that is, when the stoplight turns green, the car really takes off from 0-about-30-or-so mph. This is true primarily in the US; I can't speak for the Japanese domestic market with as much accuracy, though.

I would think that stability is a good thing in any market.

I suspect that the Prius generates too much lift at high speeds; a bit of suspension tuning and a slightly larger spoiler may not be enough to counteract those tendencies, IMHO.

I'm confused, though...what is a "rebound spring"?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KMO @ Sep 15 2006, 01:13 AM) [snapback]319964[/snapback]</div>

This reads like the basic 2nd gen Prius for all regions has the same front struts and rear SI torsion beams, chassis, and mounting, and so what's different is "rebound springs" and some negative camber tuning, if I understand this correctly. There's implication of some chassis stiffening, but I don't know what it is.

Rebound springs sounds like just different shock/spring rebound rates, tuned harder/higher maybe which is what the Sportivo should give anyways?

Pinto Girl, those "spokes" of the 16" wheel are actually plastic covers over the real rims behind it which don't roll that much over the tires.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NuShrike @ Sep 2 2006, 08:08 AM) [snapback]313050[/snapback]</div>

Update: my Sportivo instructions say use "only" to upgrade the Japanese "Touring Selection" Prius because of the difference in shape (from the stock suspension presumably). Which means use it only as a set (shock/springs) and not separately.

Since the Touring Selection already has a pretuned suspension, and if it's the same as the this new Touring Edition, it strongly suggests the Sportivo is more of an improvement than the Euro-tuned one.