4th generation coming 2015!

Some of the tech from NX 300h that could end up in new Prius:

This could add to a transaxle longevity or even more downsizing:

Two battery packs 20 kg each:

This one is unlikely because of additional cost:

If I understand this correctly this is for greater power under low speed (high el. torque is not enough), probably for crawling over rocks?

Green Car Congress: Lexus NX compact utility arrives in North America

 

cmth ..... you are absolutely correct, a little pointed, but correct.

OTOH, I have enjoyed most of the discussions. I have found it interesting that some writers like a particular "rendering" that I dislike, and others do not seem to like what I like. Personally, I really like the bright red depiction posted by blue-ray (several post back). How I hope that is the closest to the real thing that we have seen.

I am not as interested in PIP as some writers; I do not object to the "flying bridge" that some complain about. There have been good discussion of tires, and fuel efficiency. All in all, I have enjoyed the thread.

I also read the tread dealing with wireless charging. Many great comments.

 

I agree, the time spent on this forum has been very worthwhile.

My disappointment is partly down to the fact that the recently announced Lexus NX 300h didn't quite match my expectations in terms of efficiency and performance. I was going to consider the NX as well as Prius G4 or NS4 as my next car. At least here in Europe, the NX will face stiff competition, even the Mazda CX5 is close to the NX in terms of the figures. Yes the NX is about luxury but I was hoping the Hybrid Drivetrain would give it a considerable advantage over the competition. My mind is correlating this to the Prius Gen4 even though that is strictly not right but if Lexus can churn out a new car with no clear margin over competition, could that mean HSD is running out of steam? This could mean I might have to go on the PiP route - so many unanswered questions and so little coming out of Toyota. I just hope when they do announce Gen 4, they will at least give us the complete picture of what other models will be coming.

 

My mind is correlating this to the Prius Gen4 even though that is strictly not right but if Lexus can churn out a new car with no clear margin over competition, could that mean HSD is running out of steam? [/QUOTE]

I sincerely hope HSD is not "running out of steam." But (I know I have said this before and some will fault me for being repetitive) I cannot help but think of EPA 51 mpg (combined) as a "barrier" much like the sound barrier ..... sure, many can best it by consistently applying pulse and glide techniques, or over enflaming the tires, (or over inflating mileage claims), but for the "average driver," city and highway travel, hot and cold weather, hills and valleys, one passenger or 4 adults, ..... 51 mpg (calculated) is pretty darn good, and difficult to exceed. Oh yea, I have exceeded 51 mpg many time, but it requires ideal road and weather conditions, steady driving with long stretches of 45-55 mph, with just 2 passengers.

I am confident that Toyota can "break the barrier" and produce a vehicle that exceeds 51 mpg ..... but at what cost? Many readers on this forum want bigger, faster, AWD, extended electrical range, and ...... lower cost. I want all that as well, but I know that there are cost associated with each of the desired attributes.

Just my opinion.

 

I don't see 50 mpg being any sort of practical MPG barrier

My peek into the future, say in a decade, says:
ICE efficiency will improve 20%
Aero will trend towards 0.22 Cd
Tyres will reduce friction by 20%
Weight will decrease 20%
Average Regen will approach 50% and idling will cease to exist

All told, my WAG is 80 mpg. A small plug-in that supplies half the fuel as electricity will work out to over 150 MPG.

 

Hopefully the delay is more like "We need to do better, let's aim for 60 mpg - we already have a plan to break 70 mpg with the 5th gen"

I have a feeling that's not the case, but we can wish...60 mpg would definitely keep its hold on the market for another 5 years or so. Being at 55 mpg (which they seemed confident of since 2012) would probably not mean much in 2017 or so.

They want to leapfrog the competition again. I feel like in 2015 or 2016 we will see another vehicle comfortably doing 50mpg + and it won't be a Toyota.

 

Presumably you are speaking of highway MPG only, and 40 MPG at that.

 

I agree. Prius was way ahead of the game, not as fun to drive (I consider it fun, but others like the gadget, comfort and response) - granted that gave Prius unprecedented 50 mpg and even more in a lot of real-world figures.

However, Ford may be stuck at what, 35 mpg? I bet their next iteration will yield 40 or 45.

Honda should be able to crack 50 mpg in the next couple years. So when you have an Accord hybrid at 50 mpg epa (and maybe more real world), then 55 mpg epa, you might guess the next go around will have them tied, but the Prius would've already lost its spunk as being the most efficient.

So hopefully the announcement is like this "We've delayed the Prius 6 months to maintain efficiency. We are now 60 mpg+ and are confident the EPA will rate us as an unprecedented 60mpg, 20% improvement"

Just staying 10% improvement over 6 years is not fast enough....

Of course Toyota won't probably announce it until right before. Maybe we'll know more about the Volt 2 then.

 

All these are good things to aim for.

One negative side-effect of reducing weight however, is that it also increases the effect of passenger weight. Take an extreme example - A Rolls-Royce Phantom. Whether there are 4 passengers or just the driver, the car's performance (Acceleration, handling) will remain fairly well controlled. Now try compare that with the current Prius or any city car - with driver alone, the car will perform as well as it should but throw in a few adults, it suddenly becomes sluggish and lean when cornering. I realize we cannot have the best of everything but just wanted to point out an other side to weight reduction.

Also to the above list, one major trick Toyota has missed (this has been mentioned in the past) is innovation around engine and cabin warm-up tech. In colder regions and especially in winter, the ICE needlessly runs just to maintain engine and/or cabin temperature. The Prius ICE (or any other engine) will not be efficient at generating heat. When the ICE comes on because the cabin temp is low, the primary duty of the ICE then is heating not propelling the car and it will be very inefficient at doing this in my opinion. What is needed is a very efficient way of generating heat - I may be way off here, just my $2

 

Sorry, I thought you were thinking of conventional cars.

In the hybrid space the competitors have to also match Toyota in price, reliability, and reputation. Have you seen any Accord hybrids for ~ 22k lately ? I won't even bother bashing Ford -- they do such a good job all by themselves.

 

Ehh?

You serious drove next to a Gen3 that was duct taped?

Actually in all seriousness, that looks like a Gen IV look how it's less of a wedge. But otherwise not all that different, and this model doesn't have the battery plugin. Why the heck would they be testing in Cali?

 

Two IMMEDIATE differences my eyes detected are: (1) the new, squared-off trapezoidal A-pillar mini windows and (2) the new, rounded shape of the C-pillar/door window.

 

Turn signals in the mirrors! About time!

 

Yeah, I missed those mirrors.

To me, the rounded C-pillar implies the body is either derived from or shared with a sedan and, thus, using common door assemblies.

 

Probably much closer too production model than prevoius pictures. Less masking and you can see an entirely new rear window - somewhat shaped like a sports car maybe.

 

It must be me and/or the color but the rear doors look ..... smaller and the rear longer.