Featured 2019 Prius AWD-e Pricing.

yes i know ..... i was saying i hope it doesn't take 1½ decades for Toyota to add a plug to the Rav.
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Tesla choose induction because of the cost of the rare earth minerals for the permanent magnets, and the supply of those minerals wasn't stable at the time. As mention, power isn't a problem. The trade off is efficiency since you have to use some electricity to magnetize the motor. That's why the Model 3 is so much better rated for efficiency than the S.

Induction magnets also don't have the drag of the magnetic fields on the rotor as the unit free spins. So a much lower efficiency loss when the AWD isn't in use. The Model 3 front motor is induction for the same reason.

 

Ah AWD comes in January

Wonder if any of the engineering places will tear one down.

 

Thete is some details available in the repair information.

2019 Prius Midcycle Refresh Details | Page 8 | PriusChat

 

Has anyone seen anything about the control laws for that AWD? I've been poking around and haven't satisfied my curiosity yet.

Mostly I'd like to know if they modeled it after any of the common mechanical systems for driver familiarity, or if they came up with something novel or what.

This then leads to the question: what happens when a frustrated driver stuck in snow holds the accelerator pedal to the floor? We know the classic Prius doesn't respond well to that situation, and I've read some fair debates over whether Toyota's control logic is appropriate.

 

Going from memory, the rear motor always engages up to 6 mph. If it senses slippage, it can engage up to 43 mph.

From the press release at 2019 Prius Midcycle Refresh Details | PriusChat

 

that's very much like the AWD systems on the Toyota hyhigh as well as the Lexus RX SUV's .... except they will also supply front & rear power when you give a lot of throttle at any speed. Failing to Supply awd power above 43mph seems counterintuitive as you would necessarily want more power at highways speeds if you are passing someone on a 2 lane hwy, for example.
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Toyota wants to minimize the MPG hit though. By restricting AWD to slower speeds, it minimizes the EPA rating hit for AWD.

 

I guess I don't get it. Seems the more electric used - the higher the mpg's .... generally.
Same chassis for AWD hyhi & RX - yet the AWD RX hybrid gets a higher EPA than the FWD HiHy.
2018 Lexus RX 450h AWD
(scratching head)

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Sounds like justification for an interesting test drive ("Watch this! Hold my beer.")

Bob Wilson

 

The Lexus RX450h E-awd is still running strong after 8(9?) years and 65,000 miles. The tires for the Lexus are the weak spot. You pretty much have to use the snow/ice setting for anything more than a light frost. I don't see the need for this special setting like this on something like the Prius and the reviews say it will be an auto system. We have been running the Bridgestone Eco on the 03 Chevy Cavalier 2wd for more the 5 years and they work perfectly fine here in small town WV year round. 3 inches of snow or less no problem. This area is a big Subaru / Rav4 market, it will be interesting to see if the local dealers will carry E-awd Prius. Still haven't seen a Prime here.

 

It's a little independent EV pusher in the rear that frees up the upfront hybrid drive to choose more efficient operational settings. Torque and rpm for the ice and motor generator ect. My take on it anyway.

 

The system on the Prius uses a weaker rear motor. It isn't going to contribute much at high rpms during constant use to be worth the energy spent.

Remember, the Highlander and RX were Toyota's first power hybrids. Not available for long, but the FWD hybrids did have better MPG ratings than the AWD.

 

Prius AWD-e starts at 35.915€ here at Finland.
Maybe after 5-6 years i can afford one, used