4th generation coming 2015!

I found this on instagram.com with the #priusmeet tag.

 

Well, the far left vehicle is NOT the same as the others, but it is not drastically different.

 

I think it's Prius+
2013 Toyota Prius Plus Front Angle (2)

 

So the NS4 concept came and went, we discussed, made predictions, waited and waited, no reliable news about it followed so got fed up and vowed never to pay much attention to Toyota Concept designs but then comes this... Toyota previews new C-HR crossover concept bound for Paris - Autoblog and I am excited again

 

I think you're right.

 

Sure thing. I drive it every day.

 

I posted this video before in some other thread, it looks like this vehicle.... and I like!.

 

Nice seating arrangement, FUGGLY grille.

 

Toyota Global Site | TOYOTA DESIGN | Toyota FT-HT Yuejia

 

I hope Toyota's FCV effort fails hard. Nearly as detrimental to the environment as oil and far more volatile. $50 fillups and no (safe) option to refill at home. 100 times no. Then, they can finally get back to improving their hybrid and maybe even conjure up an EV.

 

I see nothing wrong with a boring ride if the car is for the masses. Toyota is definitely out of the gate early, meaning cheap clean H2 is not here yet. Cheap clean electricity is more abundant than H2, but a cheap energy tank for electricity is not here yet either. Hurry up scientists and engineers, we want the future now, not later!

 

A few thoughts about a "boring ride."
The Prius is often spoken of as a "boring ride." My thought is "intent" must be a factor to consider. When I am behind the wheel of my Prius, and making effort to maximize fuel efficiency, I drive steady, even, anticipating stops, and slower than most (but at or slightly above the speed limit). That is what is boring.
I am in the market for a classic sports car. I have no intent to drive it "steady, even, and anticipating stops." I hope to run up through the gears, corner faster than the average car, and drive it as fast as is reasonable and safe. I would be disappointed if it performed like my Prius.
So, isn't "boring" more to do with driving intent than the cars performance potential?

 

If you already have a practical ride how about something completely impractical. Oh, and it gets good gas millage to.

Caterham 7 Roadsport road test | Car Reviews | by Car Enthusiast

 

My sense is that many Prius enthusiast are "dis-comforted" by Toyota's (seemingly) lowered expectations for a new Prius. One writer even ask if Toyota is giving up on the next generation Prius? Some will say that Toyota does not release prior information, but that is certainly not true with major announcements about a hydrogen fueled car, and a big splash about a new cross-over vehicle. The corporation is out front with stories about a new Lexus as well.

Elsewhere I read that "green" car sales are not meeting expectations, and the reason given is the higher cost do not compare favorably with non-hybrids that are achieving almost the same fuel efficiency.

Personally, I haven't given up .... but my interest has certainly cooled. As recently as 3-6 months ago I was saving my money and planning when I would make the move to a new G4. Now I am planning on new tires for my 2010, and content to "wait and see."

 

Yeah, at this point it seems like they want the gen 4 prius to take a backseat to all the other stuff they're trying to push out right now. This of course ties in to other people suspecting, and I think even some Toyota leadership stating, that electric cars are mostly just a stopgap solution, and fuel cells are the future.

Toyota might be suffering from the sunken cost fallacy. They've already invested millions, if not billions, into researching fuel cell cars, hence why they're betting heavily on it. After all, the prius is doing exceedingly well, so therefore the FCV should also do good right?

Except the prius can be gassed up at any gas station. Electric cars can also be charge at home for many people. I don't think there's too many hydrogen gas stations around yet, and they're really expensive to build, both the cars and the infrastructure needed. But again, so much time and money has been spent, they want something to show for it, costs/public acceptance be darned.

 

When I bought my Prius close to ten years ago there wasn't a true alternative at least in NY state. Now there's choices and more on the way. With diesel, electric, CNG, other hybrids, and plan old regular cars that get good millage I don't think an incremental bump will take the Prius down the road five more years.

My other concern is that Toyota will try to appeal to younger buyers with a half hearted styling and handling improvement. How far will looks get you next to a TDI. The Prius takes no prisoners at the gas pump, but if they want to run with the kiddies and their toy cars they'd better supercharge the thing or something.

 

God, I'm just about ready to report you. Wash your mouth out with soap!

 

Know your audience. Toyota has stated they want to stir interest from those who have never considered a hybrid. That's far more of a challenge than appealing to enthusiasts.

Toyota is aiming Prius directly at the mainstream, attempting to hit middle-market hard with the next generation.

Offering a base model that uses a NiMH battery-pack will be a let down for an enthusiast, but a serious draw for ordinary consumers... who's looking for a well-proven efficiency technology that's dirt cheap. These are the same consumers who have no idea how an automatic transmission works and simply doesn't care. They just want something reliable & affordable that actually delivers.

Toyota's expectations are high-volume sales, not breaking new ground for enthusiasts to thrive. Seeing a Gen-4 Prius easily exceed 50 MPG with a price that competes directly with other popular family cars makes it a big winner, for both business and the masses.

That approach reinforces the path for an affordable plug-in model too. Again, that may not appeal to enthusiasts, but it is a choice which mainstream buyers will actually consider.

 

John, I hesitate to point out that your comment sounds a little contradictory to me. Wasn't "breaking new ground" what launched Prius initially, and what has enabled Toyota to hold off the competition? BTW, A cadre of "enthusiast" followed the "ground breaking" achievement.

I don't think the (G4) Prius can "easily exceed 50 MPG" without "breaking new ground." The key word is "easily."
True, in my G3 I usually exceed 50 MPG by a mile or 2, except in heavy rain, or when the outside temperature is extremely cold or hot, or driving against a head wind, or driving over 75 MPH. (All very common in the mountain west). I can and have, exceed 50 MPG pretty much at will, but it requires effort, patients and some inconvenience.

Another key point is "with a price that competes directly with other." That may be the most difficult challenge of all to achieve.