4th generation coming 2015!

Interesting that Toyota shows a woman backing onto the charging pad. That would never be accomplished in my house. Then I looked again, and saw that the vehicle was equipped with auto steering .... then it all made sense.

Seriously, the diagram seems to show a vehicle mounted interface between the pad and the battery. Presumably, that could be positioned at the very lowest point on the vehicle, amid the underbody cladding? And the pad appears to be 2 inches or so thick? There could be as little as 2- 2 1/2 inches of air space separating the pad and the interface.

The idea of no effort charging appeals to me, and I would be willing to pay something for the convenience (not sure how much right now). Those of you with PIP's .... truthfully, how many times have you been in bed and your wife said, "I forgot to plug in the car, would you run down and plug it in for me?"

 

lol at Felt " truthfully, how many times have you been in bed and your wife said, "I forgot to plug in the car, would you run down and plug it in for me?"
I can imagine the scenario above as well as "Darling I just run over the charging pad, can you come and look at it" as it's pitch black and throwing it down with rain and you need the car the next morning and of course, she's run all the power off!!

 

What's the issue? That's the way I've been parking for awhile now. It leaves more room in the garage for her car and puts the plug in a more convenient location.

 

The charging pad could be in the front but it make more sense in the back since the battery is there and for better weight distribution (not that it weights much).

It looks like wireless charger will need to be bundled with IPA. Perhaps not... Just need the backup camera with grid lines.

 

Someone will invent a robotic charging pad like on of those Roomba things, but dragging a cord. It will roam the garage looking for things to charge. It won't matter how you park. The only question is will it have enough intelligence not to wrap itself around my snow blower?

 

You guys take my comments too seriously. Haven't any of you seen the video of the woman attempting to back into a parking stall. After numerous tries, the male driver waiting for her to clear the lane, get's out of his car and parks the car for her.

I was talking to my son-in-law (and Electrical Engineer) and he explained some things to me about the charging system. He said that the local bus company is using the system on some of it's newer buses.

 

That's the one - Thanks El Dobro

 

You're welcome. I remember seeing it a few years back.

 

So what do folks think are the odds that Gen IV arrives for 2015? Further, what are the odds they arrive by the fall of 2014? I regrettably bought a C model in 2012...it's too crampy for passengers, and its highway mileage leaves a bit to be desired. Call it a bad case of buyer's remorse...I wouldn't mind a Tesla but those are priced too stratospherically, so it looks like I'll need to grab at least one more hybrid before I can go fully electric.

 

I take it you don't drive too far? What bothers me about all electric is not being able to go far. Like Boston to NY. WIth a Tesla I could try to time my swap stations which are like 1000 times more rare than gas stations...another plugin I would stop for 30 minutes to get another 50 or so miles...

A Plugin Hybrid I would have the choice to go short distances on electric, switch to gas, on long trips go to the gas station, takes 5 mins to fill up and be on your way.

If you have a full car yeah Prius C is a bit small (5 passengers). But you actually are supposed to get better mpg than me (Reg Prius), if you drive long distances you should consistently get 5 mpg better (or even short distances!)

The odds are great that the Gen IV arrives in 2015. I'd say 30% in 2014 though we will see it...

What I want to know is: Remember Gen III release? Was there a break in news for a few months before its release?

 

Actually I think the C is rated better in town and worse on the highway than a regular Gen3.

 

Correct, interstate highway driving kills it, though you can do better in neighborhood driving as insinuated by Mark. I only achieved 33 mpg or so on a recent 500 or so mild trip where 85 mph wasn't uncommon and the temps did dip below freezing, all factors that sap efficiency.

You can do pretty well with a Tesla considering it's nearly 300-mile range. With new chargers coming online all the time, that should help to reduce range anxiety. That said, I haven't given a plug-in much consideration, but maybe I should since I telecommute.

I don't remember how much of a news blackout there was prior to the release of Gen III. Hopefully, it was similar to what is transpiring now and Toyota will once again wow us with bombshells if not by the fall then by early next year.

 

Was there much news about the C or V before they came out?

 

A fair amount....6 or so months of news, IIRC.

Oh yea, and concerning the C, it's not just the # of passengers that can fit but that can fit comfortably...the legroom is also severely limited when you have more than 2 passengers.

 

As I recall, Gen III came out and there was **NO NEWS** about the C or V. Plugin was right away because of kits, they were testing a fleet around 2010 2011...Then I feel like C and V were a surprise because the plugin was announced, and then the C and V followed. But too bad V was the Plus/Alpha But indeed, when I test drove it it was a nice ride.

With a family I might have gotten that over the Prius Liftback but....I only gain cargo space and some luxury in the back.

 

Hmm this forum has become too quiet for my own comfort. No more hints by Dianne, no more spyshots. Could mean one of two things:

Toyota has hushed their leaks because they don't want the anticipation to get out of control
OR
Toyota is about to make an announcement in the next few months...

 

Inferno, I agree with your assessment. You offer two guesses why Toyota has become "hushed." While I hope a big "announcement" is the correct reason, there is a third possibility that I have wondered about. And that is .... that all the technical details have just not come together yet for the G4 Prius.

The G3 was a major achievement, and there were significant improvements is just about every aspect of the vehicle. Obviously, Toyota intends the G4 to be a major achievement as well. So many things have been rumored:
a more efficient ICE;
smaller/lighter/improved hybrid systems (new patents replacing the ones that are expiring) ;
reduced wind resistance;
lower center of gravity;
a lighter/more rigid body;
improved interior creature comforts;
improved handling;
a 5% improvement in fuel efficiency,
and then there are all sorts of rumors about battery chemistry, as well as an AWD option. I am sure I have overlooked a few other rumors.

All that plus new coachwork that will be reminiscent of the past, yet make Prius enthusiast "giggle" with anticipation. Even 3 or 4 of the most important of those menu items would be a substantial achievement ..... and they just might not be ready for the market???

I read everything I can find on the subject, and anxiously await (hopefully) more definitive news. I am looking forward to being pleasantly surprised.

 

Actually, I don't think most of those are rumors.

It IS going to be an improved hybrid system
It IS going to have a more efficient ICE (what did they say in the press? 1.2% more efficient than the current?)
It IS going to be a lighter hybrid engine
They do AIM for a 10% mpg increase (which equates to 5mpg) - because I guess that was the trend they were going...Was it in fact that gen 2 was 45 mpg? And gen 1 was 10% lower which was around 41 mpg?
Supposedly it IS a true new more sportier design as a lot have mentioned and even Dianne - now the purpose of that? Wider appeal due to the maybe embarassing wedge shape? I don't mind the shape at all
It IS being built in parallel with the Plugin which I think is very very smart
It IS going to have a slightly lower center of gravity
I believe the Plugin WILL have at least double continuous range - so that's about 20 miles or so?

Now...what else? Toyota said Li-iON was going to be used for Gen III primarily but it wasn't the right time. About 5 years later it does seem like the right time with a lot of vehicle driving the price down.

Felt - will you buy a plugin Gen IV or regular? That is the question.

I do have a feeling though, Gen IV plugins might actually sell hand-and-hand in terms of competition. I predict an even smaller gap in price.

Oh yeah, Toyota did say that overall, the car is cheaper to make than the Gen III. But with that statement I believe if they were to make the features of a Gen III but with Gen IV design, engine, LiIon, it would be cheaper. But I'm sure they'll make it the same price or a little more depending on the extra features.

Are we ready for trickle charging with solar panels yet? I want to drive to work and have 10 miles EV to go back (or 20!)