4th generation coming 2015!

it's going to take them longer to complete and test the gen IV pip, it's more complicated than the lift back.

 

Yet another example: The 2015 Sonata and Optima hybrids use the old 2014 platform. The Sonata and Optima hybrids won't join the new platform until the 2016 model year.

 

2012 pip alongside 2010, 11, 12 lift back.

 

Maybe I've *missed* something, but isn't the PiP simply a regular Prius chassis and engine assembly with Li-Ion traction battery instead of NiMH battery? Oh, and with a new "gas cap" door (wink,wink) on the righthand side and new software?

 

Prius plugin sells in 'peanuts' quantity (1500 was a really good month here).
Many things to sort out: Better battery, what range to be, etc... Takes more time.
Regular Prius should lead the way.

 

I read somewhere that Toyota was going to keep the plugin's current design indefinitely, rather than use the new design. I thought that was kind of odd, but maybe it's a sign that 1) Toyota doesn't care much about the plugin, or 2) there are some significant tradeoffs with the new design, e.g. battery space.

 

no, the battery is 15 times larger. isn't that what we're expecting in gen IV? a prius lift back with plug in?

 

haven't heard that, can you link us? erica from prius sales team says it's coming about a year after gen IV lift back.

 

I was afraid someone would ask I'll try to dig up a reference...

 

Perhaps not, but I'll note that's just what Hyundai did with their hybrid Sonata in 2015 - it's still using the 2014 model body, not being updated until the new 2016 model comes out. But yeah, it is odd, especially given all the extra time they've taken for the Gen4 anyway. I think comments regarding how little regard Toyota has for plug-ins are pretty close to the mark, and the most likely explanation.

 

Extra time?

New battery needs testing time,
Wireless charging,
New Semiconductor Chip

 

The Mirai's a fake car - I don't think Toyota would do anything so silly for something they expect to sell in quantity.

This is kind of peripheral to "Gen4 Prius" discussions, and not to start anything, but since you mentioned it, apart from the Mirai's bizarro styling, fuel cells really do strike me as an elaborate fraud intended to stall for time and earn bonus CARB fleet credits (because CARB was stupid enough to reward such shenanigans) while HFCV "proponents" fight behind the scenes to delay any BEV requirements as long as possible. The Toyotas and GMs of the world who have committed to this strategy are betting that BEVs will fade from the scene again because of the costs and intrinsic limitations of the technology, but they're wrong. Tesla has changed that calculation on both fronts (cost and capability) through the massive real world "demonstration" project of the Model S, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that H2 is the real dead end - for the near to intermediate term, we're almost certainly better off with high-efficiency hydrocarbon-powered vehicles like the Prius, while building out the public charging (especially quick-charging) infrastructure to expand the range of use cases for BEVs (says the guy with the Prius and the BEV, but hey, just putting my money where my mouth is).

If Toyota doesn't start getting serious about grid-powered EVs, they're going to wind up holding an empty bag - and they might have to fill it with technology purchased from more forward-thinking competitors.

 

or they can just keep dominating 99% of the car market with gassers. no skin off their backs.

 

I completely agree.

In addition:
Several post mention extra time required for the development of the PIP. My feeling is they have had more than sufficient time.
I say that with the 'hunch' that the hybrid system is not what has delayed the G4. My guess is the hybrid system was being refined and tested 1 - 1.5 years ago when we saw the test-mule. I suspect it is the styling that caused the delay. There is no need to test-mule styling.

We shall find out eventually..

 

This is the Camry hybrid's trunk, a 2012 to be exact.


This is the 2003 Prius's.


The first generation Prius was just a tiny bit smaller than the Corolla of that vintage on the is inside; a true compact. It's EPA trunk volume is a cubic foot less than the current Camry hybrid's. The next Prius, like the previous models will be designed from the ground up to be a hybrid, and not a conversion like nearly every hybrid out there.

The first gen also matches the Camry in combined MPG. A new Prius sedan will get at least 50+ mpg. So will still have the mpg king draw. The other hybrid sedans are competing with their ICE siblings. Their poor sales is simply because most people don't see the value of the hybrid over that ICE. At least they don't think it's worth the price difference.

I expect the 4th gen to remain a hatchback, but to tone down some of the polarizing aspects.

Same here, but Toyota has chosen to treat it like a different model as opposed to just the same one with a different 'engine' option.

Why lump in GM? They have the second gen Volt coming out, the Spark EV as/is spreading to an East Coast state, and they plan a 200mile BEV based off the Bolt concept.

 

Most people DO NOT want a trunk like that CamHy above. They want a big spacious trunk, maxed out for the size of the car and folding rear seats with a big pass through. They get that without having to spend $3,500 extra for the equivalent hybrid model.

Prius is so successful because you HAVE TO LOOK HARD to even find a hybrid battery: It's tucked away, it's hidden well in the liftback, c and v, Until hybrid sedans can do this, if ever, they will have milquetoast sales (3k a month, some more with high gas)

 

Found it! Also confirms hatchback status: 2016 Toyota Prius Was Delayed Due To Redesign For Sportier Style

 

thanks!

 

what i read is: both cars getting new design, lift back sent back to drawing board for sportier styling, pip to get more staid styling. but nothing from toyota. is that how you read it?