4th generation coming 2015!

lol...better not. When your Prius re-transforms, it might be into a 10 wheeler.

 

I suspect the liftback will not get a letter (Prius v, Prius c) model designation, it will be called: "Prius Prime"
But do we voluntarily pay extra for Prime Rib?
The prime, in "prime rib" refers to the USDA rating for the top quality meat, but the cut is a rib roast. The USDA has 8 different grades:

1. Prime
2. Choice
3. Select
4. Standard
5. Commercial
6. Utility
7. Cutter
8. Canner

 

Keep the tenderizer ready, just in case.

 

With fine marbling.

 

Prius Prime Plug-in may be the name for the car Toyota promised in 2012 based on NS4.

If so, next Gen PIP will be PPP, .

 

Okay time to wake up

Toyota close to unveiling 4th-generation Prius hybrid - US News

 

Engine alone will get 2 MPG boost in highway MPG, that is 4%. It's not likely we will see big 10% gains because of hybrid drive train efficiency or lover rolling and aero resistance. 10% is IMO absolute ceiling from what we heard so far.

 

Back in 2009, we were tossing around identifiers for Prius. It was that discussion which ultimately led to coming up with "Iconic". My suggestion was "Prime". Who knew that brainstorming session would stumble across something useful for later.

 

striking fear in the hearts of rednecks everywhere.

 

Perhaps it's "prime" as in primary or first, or main. Only the marketers know for sure.

 

Considering the next generation will likely continue having vegan SofTex seats and plant-based plastics, we're probably more likely to see

1. Prius Chia
2. Prius Flax
3. Prius Quinoa
4. Prius Kale
5. Prius Soy
6. Prius Lentil; and
7. Prius Plug-in Hemp (limited rollout, CO and WA)

 

Hot off of the presses...

2016 Toyota Prius is "fantastic" says CEO Lentz

 

"haters gonna hate' - Taylor Swift
Ok she copied it and i hate her music, well not hate, but don't like it. I have never heard ferar from anyone, but i have heard a lot of prius hate, and it wasn't from rednecks.

Yesterday on my social cycling group on facebook.

Followed by a lot of negative then some positive hybrid comments and plug-in comments. The poster than added that she liked hybids and plug-ins, but hated some of the drivers. Then lots of anti-prius driver rants.

Here's an article about the perception problem on the car.
Prius pushback: Hybrid inspires some hatred - Chicago Tribune

 

Not sure. There are many other places they can find additional MPG besides engine.

Engine 40%/38.5% = 4% increase

20% lighter = 8.4% increase (9.8% city/5.9% hwy w/o downsizing)
= 13.3% increase (15.6% city/9.8% hwy with performance matching to original)

Aero improvements from .25 to .24 = 4% .25 to .22 = 13.6% (mostly hwy)

There isn't any info on aero, but for reference
2013 MB CLA is 0.22
Tesla S is 0.24
VW XL1 is 0.19

So it would be surprising if Gen4 will not drop Cd.

Electric improvements: Improved inverter efficiency? Improved battery cappacity?

References:
http://www.drivealuminum.org/research-resources/PDF/Research/2008/2008-Ricardo-Study.pdf
Motorburn | 12 of the most aerodynamic cars in production right now

 

it's funny, we have a lot of bicycles in our area, pan mass challenge and all that. but perception is everything. i always think, 'i wonder if they appreciate me going by with no fumes'? then i think, 'for all i know, they drive a yukon.

 

Drove a smart fortwo from 2008 - 2013 and received unprecedented levels road-rage hate. By comparison Prius hate hardly even registers with me.

 

I think it is a too much generalization to put all cyclists into one basket. Last time I've been to your heck of the wood was for Boston-Motreal-Boston, not sure if it is still in running. New England drivers were alot nicer than what we have down here, but then again riding in the country side and commuting during rush hour is not the same.

and no as a former cyclist I don't give a sh!t about your "no fumes". If anyone had a penny forth of brains would realize that there is no difference in air quality cyclists and motorists inhale.

EDIT: so how exactly is it related to Gen4?

 

When I got my 2001 Prius, I got unknown pretty girls in random cars on the highway giving me the thumbs up and smiling at me, and female acquaintances asking to go for a ride in my car. I was surprised, and pleased.

The downside is several times some burly men followed me around parking lots. Kinda creepy, until I was sure they just wanted to ask about the car.

Around the same time I also got random pretty girls in coffee shops asking about my white 12" iBook. I almost started to wonder if it was because of me instead of my... um... hardware... but it was the hardware. When I replaced the iBook with a business-oriented PowerBook Titanium in 2002, all the visits from pretty girls in coffee shops stopped.

Same with the 2004 Prius I got. Not that many seemed to care. Certainly not anything like that 2001 (even though the 2001 was fuglier and less practical). No road rage, but not much interest either.

Now that I have a PiP though, I do get a lot of questions from the neighbours. That cord running from the car to the house piques their interest, since nobody in my neighbourhood has a similar setup.

 

i am without speech.