4th generation coming 2015!

The dashboard in the PIX (center-stacked) does not match the (white) dashboard in the VIDEO (in-front of driver) = different vehicles?

 

Pics are clearly ns4 concept.

 

My bad, I was not aware of the ns4.

I was looking for something else and came upon what claimed to be a press release. Still, I like it even if the front is an expensive looking part.

The front bumper looks like it will minimize a lot of cooling drag by deflecting the air around. Now if there were vanes behind that grill . . .

Bob Wilson

 

2015 Toyota NS4 Advanced Plug-In Updates, Photos & Videos! | PriusChat

 

Glad THAT (NS4 vs. Prius) confusion has been cleared up!

Now, we're BACK to prognosticating what the Gen4 Prius really looks like (ha,ha)!

 

Whew, you really got me there Bob and it's not even April!

Here I am, a new PiP convert and I'm like 'wow...I wish I waited'.

Granted, there is still no information and we won't hear any until next year. And even then, it won't be out until the end of the year. Yes I wish we could have waited, but we needed a second car just as efficient (or better) than our 2010 Gen III. No options that match the versatility and was a plugin - I considered the volt and leaf.

I do like the NS4 though, hope it goes into production

 

Nice photos ...... especially in red. I am not sure it would look so spectacular in white ( a very popular color for the G3). Did anyone notice the center console? Several have railed against that previously.

But regardless, this is not the long awaited G4. So the wait continues.

 

Tick...
Tock...
Tick...
Tock...
Tick...

 

2016 Chevy Volt: 1st Pics | CleanTechnica

Competition heats up while Toyota chirps...like crickets....

Volt 2.0 looks nice, has a 5th seat (albeit some sources say it's a bit crampy for 3 adults, so it might still be a bit smaller than the Prius. However, I'm wondering if it's a 5 seater with 42 or so EV miles (no degradation there) and then the ultimate question: does it go above 40 mpg in hybrid mode.

I also had fun with Tesla's site: Your Questions Answered | Tesla Motors

For those interested in practicality versus saving the environment versus stats:

I put in rates for my area:

$2.90 gas, 55 mpg car (PiP - not including plugin times), compared it to $.17 per KWH and...I get $98 in savings compared to a Tesla.

The large savings came from the fact they compare Tesla to a 22 mpg vehicle and $3.80 gas. Wow, what has the world come to lately....Talk about dated info.

However, I believe if EVs become more efficient with battery tech and KWH usage and better regen breaking, we may be talking a whole new level of savings. Super Capacitors anybody?

 

Silly question .... but I'd like to know the answer.

The Toyota PIP: Morning start-up, 10 mile commute .... how is the cabin heated on a cold morning without starting the ICE?

 

just went to fueleconomy.gov, punched my numbers and compared Gen3 with Tesla S. (Two vs base 60kW)

At 30K a year, and local prices $0.16/kW, $2.67/gal Prius would save me $50 a year. At $3.98/gal it would cost $750 more and it would take 61.4 years or 1,842K miles whichever comes first to recuperate the price tag difference.

PiP economically isn't viable, unless it also offers a substantial gain in hybrid mode.

 

Not sure, but believe if you turn the heat up the engine starts.

 

Well, we park the PiP in the garage so if we switch the seat warmers on and being that it's usually 15-20 degrees warmer in the garage, we haven't experienced a pure cold start yet and we can use the PiP without gas. But if we leave the garage and turn on the heat, the engine starts.

So far the PiP is working out great for us. We pay for more electricity but we have solar panels and that offsets are overall energy use quite a bit. We did notice a great increase in efficiency due to what I think is better battery capacity. Our 2010 sat out through 2 winters before being the garage and that might have something to do with it.

But the 2010 averaged a 47.5 mpg just about for a lifetime (4 years). And so far we are at 58 mpg (with it plugged in and two long trips without charged). However, on short trips with no energy I notice 54 mpg. It'll take some time but I won't be surprised if our average in regular hybrid mode turn out to be 52 mpg.

FYI, we got our PiP 2012 for $19k. Used 2012 Prii were going for $16-$20k depending on the package. The standard package of the PiP is pretty neat too (seat warmers, standard Entune and GPS and backup camera, LED lights...etc...)

 

STOP BRAGGING, DAMN IT

(j/k) Fantastic price

 

Used and 25k miles Might be able to sneak in 1 free oil change though. To each their own! You take a lot of risk buying used. And it's weird the previous owner did not charge. It would be an interesting scenario if that preserved the batteries or damaged them from fully charging or anything else.

So far so good though.

I'm jealous about your Prius V. Just wish it sat more than 5 like Europe and Japan...

 

Do not know about the PiP, but our Prius-4 has electric-powered "butt warmers / touche toasters" for the front seats.

 

Thank you for the replies to my question re PIP and cabin heat. It was an honest question. I did not know.

Since reading the replies, I have been thinking (that's dangerous). Perhaps the auto industry is headed in the wrong direction with PIP's and costly mega weight batteries that require rare earth materials to construct, occupies valuable cabin space, and consume public power (mostly coal generated), at least in the fuel efficient/low emissions segment of the market. Muscle car enthusiast will not be interested in any alternatives.

Did anyone see the article about the new concept rotary engine being developed that is the size of a grapefruit? Granted, it was only 3.5 hp, but much more power can be developed with slightly larger rotaries. The article touted its clean emissions as well.

Consider a small auxiliary rotary, burning hydrogen fuel and running at a constant (optimum) speed. The rotary would only power an alternator that would maintain the charge in the battery. The battery would power four computer controlled electric traction motors that would drive the four wheels, and they would only provide power as dictated by the conditions. Rarely is full power required, and the excess electric potential could easily keep a small battery charged. More space inside the cabin, much lower weight to haul around, all wheel drive when needed, and perhaps, even less expensive. With all the weight saved, a larger hydrogen tank could be installed that would extend the range far beyond today's range, thus eliminating the anxiety about refueling on a road trip.

But then, I suspect that someone has thought of that long ago. Also, the electric and gasoline lobbyist would certainly fight any change with vengeance.

Just wondering.

 

I heard a rumor that the gen 4's will be all-lithium batteries. Can anyone confirm?