4th generation coming 2015!

PS = Pferdestaerke, German for horsepower, pretty literal translation.

(I was a scaly brat* who spent some of his childhood in Germany and whose brother had a German card game pack (like Top Trumps) of cars. So I knew PS = HP. It was only several years later that I took German in school and learned what PS stood for.)

* Child of British armed forces personnel

 

I don't believe these drawings represnt Prius Gen 4. Three main reasons:

1. In short, it is hard to imagine a completed Gen4 design out on the road at this point whether it be covered or not. My guess is that the so called spy shots showed the new powertrain or parts of it is undergoing testing. Toyota needed a body structure that resembled(has similar physical properties to) the final Gen4 design. So what they did was borrowed body parts from various current models and put together a test mule.

2. I also agree with a previous comment that these renderings look too close to the Gen3. When we first saw real photos of the actual Gen3, it was clear that the design had several significant improvements and it felt like a good jump from Gen2 to Gen3 overall. Looking at these photos I somehow don't get the same sense of improvement between Gen3 and Gen4.

3. Look closely and we see styling cues from the NS4 in the latest (2013) Auris/Corolla HSD and Yaris HSD etc. but not in these renderings. So again, I predict a lot of NS4 design cues will be in the Prius Gen4.

 

cmth - I generally agree with your three points. But I want to comment on your point #2. First, I really like the most recent depictions we have seen, especially the bright red one (from the Asian and German source), but the maroon image and even the white images are good.

That said, I agree the G3 was a "good jump" from the G2. The profile was greatly improved, but everyone can easily identify the G3 as a Prius. I suspect the G4 will me a "jump" in the same magnitude. The public will need to recognize the G4 is a Prius. Now I believe if the red rendering proves to be accurate, that is a "good jump." In other words, I do not concur with your sense the picture in not a sufficient "improvement between the Gen3 and the Gen4," which, don't forget, is only an artist depiction. Also remember, the NS4 is now more than a year old, and by 2015, will be several years old. The NS4 may not illustrate Toyota's most recent design criteria. In truth, I like the red rendering more than the NS4 pictures. Just my opinion.

 

Ok...I can't be the only one thinking this. What is the NS4? Is it just a concept or an actual production car? I feel like there are way too many comparisons to a car that doesn't even exist.

 

Hi Felt, Actually in comment #2, what I meant to say was that the the illustrations on Thai Prius chat were too close to Gen3. On the other hand, the two red colored artist depictions are superb and they do carry styling cues from NS4 so in that sense I do hope they will be more representative of Gen4 - again my wishful thinking.

 

In fact, the German horse is a bit weaker...
HP definition is 550 ft-lb/sec so calculates to 745.7W (0.7457kW), PS is 75 kgf-m/sec which calculates to 735.5W(0.7355kW).

 

I think corolla hybrid can play the role of sedan for the Prius line, but regardless, can call Prius Liftback: Prius Sedan, some 4-door sedans out there are marketed as 4-door coupes.

 

Good point. I am no authority on the NS4, but I think it was a concept vehicle (not just a rendering) revealed at the 2012 Auto Show (New York as I recall). Whether it is drivable, I have no idea.

I have read that Toyota plans a family of Prius vehicles. I suppose the V and the C are examples. Somewhere, I read the NS4 is another model in the Prius "family."

I did copy this after a google search:
"The NS4 concept reveals Toyota's design and technology aspirations for a safe, connected and efficient midsize sedan for the future."

 

Toyota's Prius: Performance Is All That Matters - WSJ.com

 

550 ft-lb/minute. You need time in there or it's energy not power.

 

You are right, but it is second and not minute. I will edit accordingly.

 

Oops. I can't believe I said that!

 

Very unlikely. The magazine probably just reused current spec since no figures on the drivetrain is available yet.

 

wow, that's such a cool article. And it seems the MPGs just keep getting better and better in mine.

 

Wireless EV Charging, Wireless Cellphone Charging & In-car WiFi, Emergency Generator, High Tech stuffs.

1 Thing You Haven't Heard About Electric Cars - DailyFinance

 

I liked it to. It captures the essence of the engineering marvel of the Prius. People can complain about the characteristic of the Atkinson-cycle engine and the planetary gearbox when accelerating. Ok, it can sound a little bit strained but there is no smoother drivetrain that I've ever driven. The simple but ingenious gearbox and drivetrain is one of Toyotas greatest assets and I look forward to what has been achieved in the next generation. And also, the Prius works like an ordinary car but with outstanding quality and low fuel consumption.

 

AWD is the next step to efficiency and security. Prius 2015 could get "Prius c" power train with a rear electric drive like "Highlander Hybrid" (Less space and weight in front, same weight and same strength of power train as the Prius 2010-2014). Hybrids keeps gasoline engine revolution as low as possible when it need to use it. A rear electric drive combined with the front electric drive would give enough power to start fast without high gasoline engine revolution. Prius is limiting power to prevent spinning at start and at stop while regeneration takes place. AWD would give enough traction to start and stop without spinning. Of course, battery overload would be avoided with energy stored in capacitors when regenerating. Capacitors goes well with Li-ions batteries that have better energy density but needs slower charge and discharge than Ni-MH.

 

This is somewhat what I hope for in the next gen. It would also give Prius towing capability, like on some Lexus models. I think AWD would give lower fuel consumption and more power, a more fun to drive vehicle. That is one of Toyotas "new" goals, so it would fit nicely with an AWD Prius with faster acceleration, more power and lower fuel consumption.
The only one more thing I would ask for / wish for in the next gen is the ability to use renewable fuels, like ethanol. When we would have a very low CO2 footprint and low fuel consumption.

 

You do realize ethanol uses more energy to produce than you get out of it, right?

 

And scary E85 mpg: Compare Side-by-Side