4th generation coming 2015!

I don't worry about a Prius being 'sportsy' as it's a million miles from that. I can sit in a new Civic and many others that fit and feel normal or 'as they ought to be'. Prius is still awkward and ill-fitting to me, but not so bad that it's a total deal breaker.

After 50 mpg it's just dealing with bits of gas saved anyway. I listen some to outfits like Car and Driver cause they actually enjoy driving cars, not just hypermiling. C&D has liked Civic for many years, but they don't have many good things to say about Prius, except for fuel economy.

Toyota will win more buyers with a well balanced car, not just extreme MPGs.

 

I think that's their point of Gen IV, more appeal with 10-20% increase in MPG. Look at Gen II to Gen III, I think it's a vast improvement (outside and little inside). Hopefully they do a bit more inside.

 

Floating bridge console didn't leave much option but to turn front portion of armrest into a cupholder.

I can already hear the retort: "Didn't need the front of armrest afterall".

Rrright

 

" 2015 Toyota Prius In Testing in the heat of the Arizona desert.
by Ryan ZumMallenon 08.02.2013 05:30
With the hybrid market growing rapidly with new models, people are expecting a lot from the new 2015 Toyota Prius that should debut next year. Lucky for us, our spy photographers have caught one testing in the heat of the Arizona desert."SPIED: 2015 Toyota Prius In Testing

2015 Toyota Prius spied undergoing hot weather testing

 

Well, I like it a heck of a lot more than the FCV. I tell you what it reminds me of ..... a Hyundai. And that 'ain't' so bad. I've thought for a while the Hyundai was a fairly attractive vehicle.

I would say it is an evolutionary design rather than a revolutionary design ...... which is what I would expect from Toyota. It's difficult to tell, but I don't think that is the vehicle shrouded in the "test mule" pictures. Also difficult to say for certain, but it does not appear the rear window has the horizontal barrier?

Just my opinion.

 

They are probably working hard to "improve" the interior by extending the track length of the seat way back for those NBA players while making sure the steering wheel stays nice and close to the dash for only the shortest drivers. It's forward thinking for soon to come self-driving cars. Steering wheel, schmearing wheel, who cares, not important.

 

Gotta tell ya, the forward and forward side view is not so great for me since caving in and raising up: A pillars block some view and I missed a light turning green today. Had to duck down to see. Maybe it is best to have a short neck to drive Prius: shoulders up high to reach wheel, head not too high to still be able to see.

 

Isn't this just a 3rd gen Prius body used as test mule for next gen drivetrain? All new Prius next Spring? Doubt that.

 

Nope. It has already been clarified that there are in fact several differences on the test mule compared to III gen.

Some of the sources online discusses AWD in the light of fuel consumption. Often these sources state that this would have a penalty on the MPG. However I doubt this. Reducing fuel consumption during acceleration of the car would probably rise the MPG. THis could in fact be done by assisting real wheel electric motors at lower speeds, like on the Lexus RX450h. This would also add the advantage of possible AWD in snowy areas etc, especially for an upgraded Prius v/alpha/+ . (I would like a seven seater cross over with AWD 2015 ). This approach would also eliminate another buying obstacle for many: towing capability. Towing is possible on for example the Lexus RX450h due to the rear wheel drive probably, but lacking on Prius. Another advantage of electric motors on the rear wheels could be better regeneration braking.

 

I like the idea of rear wheel electric motors. How much are you willing to pay for such a vehicle if Toyota were to market one? Cost is always a major consideration.

 

Depending on the amount of additional battery capacity added (The Highlander adds a second HV battery) it shoould add $3000 to $5000 and the improved performance (acceleration, traction in harsh conditions at low speed, and enhanced EV availability) would be worth it to me.

JeffD

 

It's an interesting thought. As I said, I like the idea of AWD, but $3k - 5k additional cost would only be a value to me if I could dispose of the second (AWD) vehicle that I must own for winter's deep snow. Ground clearance becomes the issue. AWD is of reduced value unless the ground clearance is increased. An increased ground clearance, then reduces mileage the remainder of the year.

I have felt that the current Prius is an incredibly "balanced" design considering cost, fuel efficiency, performance, comfort, size, and reliability. The volt added battery capacity, but it cost a passenger seat. The Tesla added range and size, but at great cost. Personally, "acceleration" would not be worth $3-5k, unless it also improved EV range (and not just 35 miles or so) without sacrificing size, passengers, or reliability.

The next generation Prius is a tremendous challenge for Toyota. The G3 was an enormous success world-wide. I am quite confident Toyota could improve any one of the categories of the Prius success (fuel efficiency, size, comfort, range, performance) but at what cost? and at what sacrifice to other components of the equation?

I can hardly wait to see what they come up with.

 

I can hardly wait also. Will Toyota do NiMH batteries or Li-Ion. I heard they wanted to produce 6x as much as Li-Ion but the 4th gen might still come in two flavors. Which begs the theory...Are they just going to make a lighter hybrid engine but keep the capacity? If current gen is 50 mpg and they aim for 60...then that might make sense. If they did Li-Ion it'll be lighter and you'd get more cargo and perhaps 65 mpg...but supposedly the costs will still be high in 2 years

 

Thank you for your comment. To be perfectly honest, if I had to make a choice today between NiMH and Li-Ion batteries, I am not certain which I would choose. NiMH has been a very good battery. I have not had one problem. It charges quickly. It holds a charge while I am away. It has a long life (in California they carry a 150,0000 mile warranty, so I presume the same battery in Utah will last that long, even tho it only has a 100,000 mile warranty). I see no evidence of it loosing potential when fully charged. It has been a winner for Toyota and for me.

On the other hand, Li-Ion is the coming technology. It apparently has more potential ..... I just need to know more about it before I make a choice (assuming I will have that opportunity).

The introduction of the G4 Prius will be a closely watched by everyone. My prediction is we will see it in early calendar year 2104 and will be called a model year 2015. We shall see.

 

Im pretty sure we will see Li Ion on Gen IV. It will allow for AWD and/or longer EV range while not occupying more space for the batteries. To reply to an earlier question, I would be prepared to pay a few thousand USD for AWD and towing capability. It would make all the difference to me next time I will trade in my Prius+ for a new model (which will be in 2015). My Prius+ with Li Ion (basically a Prius V with seven seats and Li Ion battery) is 5000 USD more than the regular sedan in Sweden. I guess half of that difference is the LI Ion battery. Given rumours of Toyota ramping up production of Li Ion greatly this difference in price will drop. So the guesses here for $3000 to $5000 is quite good I think.

Another interesting question is the release date. Many seem to think 2014 as a 2015 model, some think 2015 as a 2016 model. What are our reliable sources for a 2014 release? Will we see the new Prius in Tokyo Auto Saloon or in Chicago 2014? What do you think is probable?

 

Ahh, you must be from out of the US. How do you like the Prius+? I just don't get why they won't push it here? What's your mpg with the seven seater since it's Li-Ion also?

I don't think they'll release EARLY 2014. Maybe later 2014 for the 2015 year. Here's my guess, with spy shots already in the open after internal testing, we should see a lot of testing in the colder climates and snow. So PriusChatters, keep your eyes out!

 

Last year, 147,503 Prius Liftbacks sold in the U.S alone, so the question is whether they have the capacity to produce hundreds of thousands of Li-ion batteries. I am guessing regular hybrids will have Nimh.

 

Yep, Sweden. I got my Prius+ in july last year. It's a great car in many ways. I use it mostly as a 7 seater due to 5 kids. It works really well for 2 adults and 5 kids. If you're short of luggage space(which is actually better than on my previous Verso) just add a roof rack and cargo box on longer trips. I managed to average on 5.5 l / 10 km (0.55 l / European mile) that would equal roughly 43 MPG (US). I noticed however that the MPG gets better after a few thousand miles so for example I averaged 48 MPG during a 200 km trip on smaller highway with 5 kids and 2 adults , avg speed about 80-90 km/h. Really good. During shorter city trips the car delivers sometimes above 60 MPG (low speed, a lot of regen breaking and acceleration).

Im really surprised US got the 5 seater not the 7 seater, the 7 seater equally useful as a 5 seater for those who dont need extra seats. I mean, those two extra seats in the third row does not have an impact on cargo capacity?

It will be exciting to see which it will be I really have no clue, just thought that given rumors about Toyota about to ramp up the Li Ion production, the next gen Prius could be due to receive these.... Im not sure about the certainty of those rumours though.

 

I think you're on to something here. So Toyota chose Blue Logo for hybrids/plug-ins, now will use Green Logo for hydrogen.