4th generation coming 2015!

This is the statements that scares me:
"The 2016 Prius will retain its five-door hatchback layout, but it will apparently feature some version of the C-HR's "diamond architecture" styling.
That would include a more-aggressive grille and wheel arches, and a more sharply-tapered roof line."

Which I sincerely hope does NOT include the cat-fish grill and hack-sawed roof lines!

 

They need to make sure that all of these people will like it; World Population Clock: 7 Billion People (2015) - Worldometers

 

you and me both, brother! if it does, i hope the article is right about the pip being more staid.

 

Last-minute Prius styling rebuff shows Toyota's new focus on design

 

i would want them both to appeal to a wider audience. but what do i know?

 

I think it's open to interpretation, but I read it as: the PIP will be styled like the Gen 4 Prius before the "sporty" redesign, which was similar to the current version. Not that the PIP won't be updated at all.

 

agreed.

 

I don't think I knew that the Gen 4 was expected to have more cargo space due to the TNGA. That's pretty cool, considering that the Volt's biggest downside to me is the lack of cargo space. Amazing that such an efficient vehicle can also be so practical.

 

And in what way was the gen1 Prius' trunk compromised. NA didn't get a folding rear seat, but the ease of finding instructions on removing the rear seat back means its lack isn't related to the battery. The next Prius isn't going to be some ICE model converted to a Hybrid like the Camry. So if Toyota wanted to make it a sedan, they could make the battery as unobtrusive as it is in the gen1, if not do it better.

The Lincoln MKZ sells about as many cars total as for another model hybrid sedan, but 25% of last month's sales are of the hybrid. The others might have 10% of their total sales be the hybrid. This is simply because there is no cheaper ICE trim available. Trunk space was likely a reason for getting the ICE. Then some still are wary of hybrids. Or they wanted the V6 upgrade which has an AWD option.

The entry level Camry is $3200 less than the entry level Camry hybrid. The 2.5L has a combine mpg of 28. Many probably stop considering a hybrid before even looking at the trunk. Which is what the larger portion of hybrids sold of the MKZ seem to imply.

 

There are some interesting comments in the link article: Regular Prius will get 'sportier' styling to attract younger buyers. ...
Well, that's all dandy, but I'm telling you, they better ace the interior. No sloppiness, no low, hard armrests, no crooked steering columns no matter how slight.
They did expect it to keep the center gauges. Well, ok.
It said it would have an even wedgier shape. Did I see that right?
The real intrigue is , what is this thing going to look like????

 

Why the big celebration for exponential population growth unless were making progress on another planet to overflow onto?

Anyhow, bring on the new Prius.

 

I'm not sure what your point is about Camry Hybrid and Gen1 Prius trunks. Personally, I never considered the Gen1 Prius - it was too small and didn't get good enough MPG to be worth the price. I'm grateful to the early buyers that supported the project and encouraged Toyota to continue, though I suspect Toyota was convinced of the long-term value of HSD and would have pressed on, gathering what data they could from real world experience. Anyway, I guess I'm saying if your point is that current hybrid sedans' hacked up trunks aren't any worse than the Gen1 Prius, then sure, but I reject both as inadequate.

I lump GM with Toyota very specifically on the HFCV front. GM has a long record of trotting out HFCV "demonstration vehicles" when the ZEV pressure gets too intense, and just as long a record of fighting EV programs. The Gen2 Volt is an interesting car from what I've seen, but the Gen1 is an interesting drive train wrapped in a somewhat impractical package, a 2+2 with a shallow shelf of a "trunk", ill-suited to hauling luggage or adult backseat passengers. Otherwise, the Bolt is a promise, the Spark EV a compliance dodge for CARB credit (screw the coasts, call me when I can buy either one in Oklahoma).

Across the country I can buy BEVs from Nissan, Mitsubishi, BMW, Ford (sort of), and Smart. I don't see GM or Toyota on that list. I'll revisit my assessment of their EV cred when that changes.

 

All latest Toyota/Lexus hybrids do very well with hiding the battery and maximizing trunk size, even PiP is a very good compromise. There are some exceptions (ES 300h), but I think they will soon sort that out

 

I hope sporty and fresh doesn't mean Japanese street racer look. Who knows, maybe that's what sells now. I would think sporty, yet elegant would attract more people at those price ranges. When I see the sales of the new Camry and Corollas, versus the sales of the more staid styled Accord and other sedans, I think that people don't like bland. I like the new Camry style for the most part, and yes, the CH trunk space does factor into the decision. The new Corolla grille is just something that bugs me, particularly in light colors.

What worries me is that techno-flashy becomes Toyota's new styling favorite. I was hoping that they'd go with a more European look like Audi has, but I know that's just not going to happen. Very tough to design around a large cargo hold.

 

Audi, BMW; one design in small, medium, large cars and SUVs. You would not see a difference between a Corolla and a Camry.

Prius's primary market is the home market.

 

I am amused at how some people blame Toyota for "missing the boat" on EVs. All Toyota have said (publicly) is the truth. They are not currently practical at prices most of us can afford and they aren't going to build one until they are affordable. There are those who hate the oil companies so much any cost to avoid them is justified. Good for them. They will be creating the wedge to the future.
Proof of that is the Tesla. Nice car. TOO expensive! Causing Tesla to do all kinds of marketing gymnastics to justify the cost. Such as installing "free" charging stations.

 

The trunk discussion was part of another conversation. The short of it, a sedan Prius would fail because it will have a hacked up trunk like the Camry hybrid. Counter, the gen1 Prius doesn't have a hacked up trunk, so why would gen4 Prius sedan have one. The current hybrid sedans have trunks that are worse than the gen1 Prius.

New GM hasn't trotted out their FCV lately. There is a new one for lease from Hyundai, Honda has a 2nd gen Clarity concept, and Toyota has dumped much about the upcoming Mirai into the media. Where's GM's FCV now? They actually make their own BEV. They also have the most popular PHV, which has enough EV range to be a BEV for some owners. The Spark EV availability has spread a little with Maryland announced, and I've seen 2015 brochures for it in Pennsylvania. With their partnership with Honda for FCVs, GM could probably get a rebadged Clarity if they cared only about the ZEV credits like Toyota. Of Toyota's BEVs, one was sold in half the states of the Spark EV at the time. It was actually built by Tesla. Their in house eQ was stillborn with having the lowest range with a high price in comparison to everyone else.

FCA would be better example than GM for a compliance only company. The only BEV they offer is sold in California only, and their CEO asked people not to buy it. They don't even have a hybrid at this point.

Yet a $60k FCV is a practical car and the future. Where the few fueling stations are free, because they are being built by the Ca government. The hydrogen itself is also 'free', since no one in the hydrogen lobby wants the actual price up on a sign.

 

I think Toyota does not wish to or perhaps can't currently match the technology of the upcoming 2016 Volt. Toyota is not going to be a leader in the hybrid plug in world for much longer in my opinion...

 

Huh? I don't think they are a leader in the plugin market period, nor were they ever...

Volt came out first....Nissan too and Nissan is the leader IMHO. As for leader in Plugin Hybrids, I believe Volt is.

Toyota is focusing on Hybrid Tech.

 

I've got a gen 2 Prius and a gen 1 Volt. I measured the hatchback storage areas of each a couple of years ago. They have a very similar width and depth (I recall the Volt is slightly better) but the Volt's storage area length between the rear of the car and the back seats is not as long. Likewise, the length from the rear of the car to the back side of the front seats (when folding down the rear seats) is a couple of inches shorter. This made the difference when I brought home a new 60 inch TV. It just fit in the Prius with the back seats folded down but wouldn't quite have fit in the Volt.

The 1st gen Volt hatchback area is completely practical for luggage for 2 people. I once did a 1,000 mile road trip with 4 people and their luggage but it was a tight fit. My initial impression is that the 2nd gen Volt has a similar hatchback area but I haven't seen exact measurements yet. It does have improved backseat legroom and some early reviewers say it is a noticeable improvement but I haven't had the chance to sit inside the 2nd gen Volt yet in order to do my own comparison.