4th generation coming 2015!

Agreed...I'm not sold on the appearance either. I'm actually neutral at this point. TBH, it looks no worse than the first 2 gens, which always made me recoil in disgust if I'm honest).

 

The photo in the Gas 2 article is of the NS4 (new sedan) concept car. The Gen 4 Prius might have some similarities up front (e.g. lower, narrower headlights), but i don't see why it would resemble a sedan otherwise.

 

I would pre order one today if Gen 4 looks that similar to the NS4

 

I honestly don't care about looks. I want good specs, workmanship/quality, and reliability.

 

Nothing new from Toyota on the Paris Motor Show except for the C-HR concept without any hybrid drivetrain specifications?

 

Can't believe this thread has fallen way down the list, have we stopped speculating

As of late, we see an increasing number of articles and reports meant to enlighten Toyota on what it should do to remain on top of the Hybrid game.
5 Things the Toyota Prius Needs to Thrive

And that is followed by Toyota reassuring everyone that there is nothing to worry about, that their roadmap and long-term strategy which focuses on normal Hybrids, FCV and a less aggressive push towards Plug-in Hybrids remain valid and right going forward.

Toyota promises big efficiency gains for next-gen hybrids | Auto Express

 

I find it humorous that Auto Express calls the HSD system mild.

Also I think everyone is waiting to find out what "and something else" is from Tesla.

And in a related development, a VW executive says BEVs will rule sooner than you think:
Recharge Wrap-up: VW exec predicts EVs with 375-mile range - AutoblogGreen

 

The electric-only mode in gridlocked traffic is short lived though. It's very effective for short hold-ups, but after 5~10 minutes the battery bottoms out, the engine fires up, in a fast idle. Then it get's depressing.

 

Uhh ok. And what, 60 minutes fast recharge?

Even if it's 30 I'd be impatient, but I don't see 30 minutes being possible.

As for this thread...we will probably know nothing until December Maybe just maybe they'll lift something out of the LA show, if they want to excite us they will. Otherwise we'd probably see the 4th gen with the Volt 2.0 and perhaps Leaf 2.0 at the Detroit show.

Hopefully they show the NS4 at the LA show though and no the FCV....

Toyota's strategy is hard-sell 2015 versions at least until the end of the year

 

I already taken that into account. Gen IV was to be released as a 2015 model I believe. Then it was to be shown in 2014 as a 2016 model. I think it's now going to be shown in spring 2015 as a 2016 model later that year.

 

It was hardly depressing when the 1-minute graph had us at 100mpg+ 12 minutes out of every 15.

 

EV with a 375-mile range? Sign me up.

 

Something that was in the forefront, the day we were wandering the lot, shopping for our 2010: the plastic wheel covers on 15" rims. A small thing, but definitely a factor in tipping us to get the Canadian model with 17" rims.

do not know why they perpetuate the wheel covers, but hope they ditch them for next generation. That should be doable.

 

I could be completely wrong, but I wonder if the wheel covers are slightly more aerodynamic than the open wheels? It strikes me that Toyota went to extremes to maximize the fuel efficiency in the G3.

Having been a long time reader of this thread, the consensus of opinion seems to be the 15" wheels provide a small degree of improved fuel efficiency that the 17".

 

That's more due to various factors with the 17's I think: increased weight, wider tread.

 

Never-the-less, the fact remains, the 15" wheel/rims are more mpg-economical than 17" wheel/rims on Prii, regardless of looks/beauty.

 

Hi guys!

The Prius on Toyota's website shows the 2015 model but it looks the same.


How's everyone been?