4th generation coming 2015!

Thanks. I did not know that.

 

I googled "2016 Prius" and found several sources all displaying what appears to be the same design, entitled "2016 Prius."

If that is Toyota's offering???? There will be many disappointed. The exterior, while different, is so close to the 2015 that many will be unable to tell the difference. Retained is the split rear window. New is some sheet metal sculpture on the doors. Also, the interior still features the center console and dash display, which I like, but many have expressed an objection to.

The accompanying text says the 1.8L will be retained, but there will be a 8% improvement in fuel efficiency, crediting a new Hybrid System. The articles all state that 4 wheel traction will be offered, along with an option for Lithium batteries. Finally, all at a higher cost.

 

I saw the search results but personally, I don't believe prius G4 will look that similar to G3. My prediction is that with the TGNA platform, Toyota will attempt to eliminate the "raised rear end" look which has resulted in a love-it or hate-it type reaction with the general public up until now. The HV batteries will most likely be split up and hidden under the rear seats so overall, the designers will have more freedom to explore optimal wind drag profiles which are more streamlined. Of course these are just predictions but I just can't see Toyota retain its hybrid crown with anything less.

 

cmth - I want to agree that (hopefully) the G4 will not be so little changed from the G3 ..... as much as I like my 2010. I was surprised for sure, and only posted the comment, because it did not appear that these are artist renderings. In addition, the same image appeared on several web sites. So, we shall see.

 

Some things from the LA snow…

Prius c and v got mid-gen refreshes, which should tell us that they won't be getting any updates next year.
On the other hand, Prius and PHV got essentially no changes for the 2015 model year.

As far as styling, expect giant gills in the front bumper. Anything more is completely unknown at this point.

 

There seems to be a minor cottage industry of websites purporting to show images of the "2016 Prius" which are in fact either the current Prius, a Toyota concept, or an artist's rendering based on a Toyota concept. An example of the accompanying text: "2016 Toyota Prius Redesign is one of the models that have already started to write." I guess what matters to Google is that they got "2016 Prius" in there.
In contrast, I stumbled upon an article on about.com, of all places, that seems grounded in reality: 2015 Toyota Prius Liftback. I'm hoping the highway mpg is 54, not 52, but otherwise it's encouraging me to hold off on replacing my 2005 Prius...

 

The Cliff Notes 'summary' (quoted from that ABOUT-Autos "2015 Toyota Prius Liftback" article):

• 2015 Prius Liftback fuel economy
Toyota’s fuel economy target for the redesigned Prius Liftback is a 10 percent increase from the current EPA estimate of 51/48/50 mpg city/highway/combined. That pencils out to 56/52/55 mpg. Using the EPA miles per gallon-equivalent (mpge) for electric driving, expect the 2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid to rate 105 mpge. Operating in “standard” gas-electric hybrid mode, the Plug-in should earn a 56/54/55 mpg city/highway/combined rating.

• Final word
It is expected that Toyota will take the wraps off the all-new Prius Liftback at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 12, 2015. That’s when you can find out how many, if any, of our crystal ball predictions hit the bull’s eye, or were close.

 

Little know articles probably buried in some hype. Toyota Dealers execs have seen the 4th gen in Las Vegas this year behind closed doors. Probably 80% the production model. All have agreed (though not with astounding ovation) that it'll look very different.

Now as for other confusing articles on the web - Originally the gen 4 was going to be a 2015 model. That's what Edmunds had for the longest time. To be released fall 2014 the Gen IV was going to come out with a drastic new design and an attempt to be 10% more efficient. We knew that fell through, but we know that they've had these drastic ideas and sketches of the models since 2012. 2013 is when we saw the first spy shots. Then was it the middle of this year that Toy said they wanted to do a bit more work on the Gen IV to improve its efficiency?

Maybe super capacitors will be in there, but I do suspect the NiMH version to be 7-8% more efficient than the Gen III and the Li-ion AWD version to be 12-15%, above 10% efficient will regain the Prius crown IMHO, and AWD will appeal to a lot of people - including the fact there is a redesign and it has slightly more space.

I'm extremely interested in the PiP 2nd gen even though I have one already. I'd like to see how they compete against the Volt and the idea of 'home-fuelling'. Gas prices won't stay low forever.

I'm also sure we'd probably see the V and C updates either the following year or 2 years down the road. Was it the Camry that got refreshed in 2014 (dubbed 2014.5) and then got a brand new 2015 model?

 

Question is what is Revolution vs Evolution. I think they term it versus it's design. IE, the sedan version of the Prius looks quite different from the Gen 2. Gen 3 has some similarities to the Gen 2 - more sporty. Gen 4 should have a wedge shape but should give the Volt 2 a run for its money in terms of styling

 

The GM Volt *styling* isn't liked/appreciated/loved by everyone...(ha,ha).

 

Very interesting! I would love to hear what Diane has to say about the viewing. Remember, she said the design would "knock your socks off." Diane, are you out there? How about a tid-bit.

I have just about taken myself out of the Prius market, (considering something more upscale, and AWD). But I just might re-insert myself if the G4 has AWD, and the kind of fuel efficiency mentioned above.

BTW, a bunch of great comments above. Keep it up.

 

So Felt, what are you thinking now? I've got an itching for a new 2015 Outback, but I truly hope that the G4 will incorporate AWD and that the V in a couple years will have AWD and maybe a little higher ground clearance.

 

Clearly, I have no knowledge regarding my next statement ........... pure conjecture!!!

So often, contributors to this thread, imply that the "V" design will evolve a year or more after the Prius. I have my doubts.
My thought is that when the G4 is released, the new "V" will be based on the same G4 design. In other words, I predict the "V" will be a short turn-around cycle

Further, I suppose, the "V" will share the same Hybrid System, as will the "C," the Camry, and even the Lexus. I just cannot imagine that Toyota would develop a new improved, more efficient Hybrid System, and not install it is all of it's hybrid models. I do not know if I have ever heard, but I suppose the patents on the Camry and the Lexus Hybrid Systems expire at the same time as the Prius????

No no one can argue with me. But we can all wait ..... and see who is right.

 

We have the Camry All-Trac which is Toyota's AWD. I would think they would be sold in Canada as well?

 

I heard an interesting report on NPR on CrossOvers outpacing all cars and that sales of cars overall went up in November. However, Crossovers and Trucks are leading the way - most likely due to lower gas prices...So more people are driving inefficiently.

If gas goes down below $2, plugging in an electric car may cost more.

So how can this be?

Well my theory is...

OPEC - a oil group that basically controls/influences the price of oil decided not to slow down production as to keep the oil prices steady. So other countries who depend on oil exports are taking a massive hit because overall oil is going down which mean more competition. But it's going down so fast that it's causing countries who depend on export to lose out on big money.

It's like a stock market crash but for oil. The hybrid cars will still save money, but will save less and less (even though the environmental impact remains the same).

And why is this happening?

Because there is a thread in the energy sector, Shale Gas - the booming industry in the US which now has an infrastructure as good as water to deliver heating to millions of homes throughout city without being too dangerous. And with Fracking, there is a huge boom in the industry which was much cheaper than oil (I think it still is). Shale Gas production has only accelerated.

So...with more homes using gas versus oil the oil industry is now pumping non-stop to make it a better alternative. Ultimately, the competition is good for the consumer on the buying end. But countries who sell are having more economic problems. And overall, we're seeing a worse environmental impact.

Come on Toyota. Show us what you got. Please be efficient in EV driving as well as gas. Perhaps Gen V will use alternative energy altogether!