can we get like modular plug in batteries..say 4kwh each? so if i’m going for a road trip, i could self remove them and leave it in the garage to free up luggage and passenger room for the trip. but when back to the daily commute i put back as many as needed to meet the range of the daily round trip.
I. The Prius sales numbers in the US Peaked during the Obama recession at around 240K, and have been in steady decline since. In 2017, only about 80K non-Prime Priuses were sold. At the same time the Prime has gone from 20K copies in 2017 to anticipated 25-30K in 2018 - all the while being a 4-seater. If these trend continue, in the next few years we might see the Prime being a more common Prius than the non-plug ones - or even maybe the only one. Toyota Prius family US car sales figures II. Bigger in terms of capacity batteries do not have to be heavier/bulkier. I don't know about the regular size Prius, but in the "c" its tiny 0.8 kWh battery sits rather loosely in a very large for its size cavity under the rear bench, presumably for easier cooling (it's air cooled). Also, I don't believe the loss of one seat in the back would be lamented by many drivers, and run-flat tires may alleviate the need for the donut.
I just thought of a couple more: 1. A hand emergency brake instead of on the floor (although it would kill the nice clean centre console). 2. USB and aux connections that are actually inside the centre armrest. I had that in my previous Forester (RIP u POS), and I could just keep a Nano iPod hooked up without having to plug it in and unplug it every time I leave the car.
Photos are on PriusChat somewhere - I'll have a look tomorrow if someone hasn't found them in the meantime. Basically I'm saying that - that they have PRIME as an option for someone who wants no spare, 4 seats and Plug-In. We have the choice already. To modify PRIUS - it will become a PRIME. No idea about "c". Agree - hate the Foot-Hand-Brake. Stupid idea, is almost unable to modulate like a proper one. And not an electronic handbrake - I've had conversation with 2 GOLF owners in the last week who hate theirs (one a new AllTrack, the other a new GTI). ADD - fix the Hill Holder so it works in reverse too (ie facing downhill). At present if you try to hold it on the footbrake, the moment you touch the accelerator, it YELLS AT YOU:
Regarding this bit, it is possible that complaints were made IN GENERAL about the Prius, after an aftermarket battery was installed and failed to perform up to the OEM battery levels. I searched for the cost of a replacement battery for my car, and one retailer was selling rebuild kits for the traction batteries. No mention of 3rd part safety certification or guarantee of the same performance level. It reminds me a bit of the issue with phone fires. We buy these top class smart phones for around $1k, then when they need a battery replacement after 2 years, some folks buy the $30 no-name battery instead of the $80 OEM battery. Then, there are fires and reduced performance. As a regulatory electronics engineer, I can tell you there IS a difference. A product that bears the UL Mark, for example, is not allowed to have unproven sub-components to cheapen it up. Having quality batteries is super-important. Imagine a lithium phone battery fire x100, right under our passengers' bottoms... When it comes time for battery replacement, I'll probably pony up for an OEM battery, even if it is a lightly used one and it costs $1k more than an off-brand, un-certified one. Sorry for the ramble. I guess what I was trying to say was that maybe the anti-hybrid and anti-electric (oil) lobby just found a bad example (aftermarket batteries) and is using it out of context or without full disclosure. Statistics manipulation, in other words.
Sold my 2008 Prius after 165,000 absolutely trouble free miles. Looking to get a 2019 Prius now, any idea when they will hit dealers?
Prius is a no-brainer in the Bay area. Don't shy away from a 2018 that is marked down on account of 2019s coming out soon. It's the third year of this body style; they've got the kinks worked out.
I feel it should. They've been rolling it out to all their other models and the refresh would be the perfect excuse to put it on there. Would be honestly surprised if they don't.
I love this car, but if I had to point to improvements to be made: EXTENDING SUN VISOR An HVAC off button (replacing A/C off) for when I just want the fan. Better left-side headlights and a flat front hood (rumored already in the works). These are the best headlights I've ever had, but they're much better on the right than the left (probably to prevent glare, but newer cars like the Camry can accomplish both now) A spare tire dealer option for trims without (it's just a swap of the foam insert in the back, should be available already) Power port in center console and trunk Low wiper fluid alert TSS 2.0 Improved passenger-side airbag (to ace IIHS's new test) Softer seat for upper trims. Lumbar support for lower trims. Move auto-highbeam button to a button on the light stalk instead of on the dash (I keep bumping it) I agree that letting us charge the Prius battery (not like a PHEV, just to let the car run on electricity for the first mile while the engine warms up) would be nice, but I don't know if it would be worth installing an inverter and everything for that. Not for 2019, but I hope they improve storage in the next generation. The spot where the wireless charging pad is designed to go is a horrible waste of space, it should be mounted vertically with a storage compartment instead of wasting all the space from the floor to the top of the pad. I actually prefer the Star Trek 2-tiered design of Gen 3 in terms of practicality.
Picked up a 2018 Two today, such a nice car. Loved my 2008, I had the original stickers from PriusChat from 2008
I would like ventilation holes in the softex seats. The softex makes my back sweaty even when the car interior is cool at the start of a drive.
Oh, not super realistic, but it would be sweet to get Dynamic Force in 2019 and have Toyota acquire HCCI from Mazda and put that into the Prius in 2020. That would be a 10% increase in thermal efficiency.
We suspect it will get a Dynamic Force engine but it will remain as the 1.8 litre version. It'll add D4-S but not sure about VVT-iE or Valvematic. (electronically controlled cams and continuously variable valve timing respectively)
Haptic feedback for the accelerator pedal please. to tell me what is the optimum position for max efficiency under different conditions. or even simply what position beyond which the ice will kick in would be great.
Yes, I would expect Dynamic Force to be added, it's the acquisition of Mazda's engine technology that I think is less certain. Toyota has partnered with Mazda, but I don't know if they'll decide it's worth it or if the technology is reliable enough for Toyota's tastes. While I'm here, the ability to turn off simulated engine breaking and creep would be neat.
