Consumer Reports Pegs Prime EV Range at 28 Miles

Toyota,

put 4 seats in a Prime instead of 5.

When they test for fuel economy, they don't load the car to the max. They do it with just the driver only, maybe with someone riding shotgun. The whole 4 passenger vs 5 passenger in the name of EPA rated MPG is irrelevant. No one expects to get EPA rated MPG with 5 passengers. If they did and came here to complaint about it, All of us will jump at the guy and say "What do you expect? You got 5 passengers" Drop 4 of them off and your mileage will go up.

Maybe I didn't make myself clear. I meant to say that pretty much all the sports cars that does have backseats are only able to sit 2 people in the back. I'm talking real sports cars like the 911, 924, 944, 928, 300ZX, RX7, Supra, none of that FWD crap like the Integra GSR or Civic Si or some Family crap that can go fast like TMS P90D or Hellcats.

I'm fully aware of that. Given that the Ioniq PHEV and the Volt 2 are about the same interior size, the winner is clearly the Ioniq because it has 5 real usable seats, not 4 seats with 5 seat belts.

 

As pointed out, those high end cars are marketed to people that can have a hireling drive them around.

Toyota designed the Prime for the Japanese market with features that we simply aren't getting. The solar option has a NiMH battery that if it isn't as large as the one in the hybrid, it is close. That sits under the rear seat with the charger. Which excludes having a portion of the traction pack being placed there. We aren't getting the solar option because of its cost, but we still have to pay the design cost for it.

Torsion beam does not make for poor handling alone, and what it lacks can be compensated for in other areas.

 

personally, i think toyota miscalculated the entire gen 4 market. all the magic they packed into gen 4 isn't impressing enough people. i believe their focus groups mislead them. now we're stuck with a prime that has to work with all the new magic.

 

Well it's a small car (in the public's eyes) anyways which aren't in big favor right now. The biggest deals right now from Toyota are on their cars, not their trucks or SUVs. Even FCA cancelled the last of their domestic cars to focus on vehicles that can seat five, six and seven people comfortably.

Back to the OP, I'm thinking they got their 28 miles EV without climate control. I personally think the gas injected heat pump will be the biggest surprise. It may also account for loss of room as well in the Prime.


Unsupervised!

 

what is a gas injected heat pump?

 

The gen4 is doing great in Japan.

 

It's AKA a vapor injected heat pump that utilizes a two stage compression technique to help the compressor and gives about a 20% increase in efficiency. It's a little more expensive to implement but will cost less in the long run (maximizes range).


Unsupervised!

 

No, you aren't on ignore. In fact, I value your feedback. However, I won't engage in any vague discussions anymore. If you want to talk about something related to quantities, please include the actual numbers.

That being said, it makes quite a bit of sense for Toyota to first rollout options in their own market, observe how they are accepted and used, then adapt them for our market afterward.

The dynamic approach is better than having to wait for all to be settled first, like in the past... which is the paradigm most people are use to.

 

And gas in Japan is what, twice as expensive or three times? I can't keep them and Europe straight. The Gen4 should be doing great.

 

is this going to be on the prime? where did you get the info, i missed it.

 

In the original presse release under Looks Marvelous, Feels Marvelous

Jan

 

thanks! i see 'heat pump'. can anyone elaborate on the gas injection?

also, what is the 'electric compressor' they speak of?

 

Advanced Heat Pump Comes of Age in the New Prius Prime. Would this be a good option for Model 3 or the Bolt EV??

Good explanation plus drawings.
Unsupervised!

 

Never experienced that with any of the torsion beam rears I've had. Did enough times with an empty bedded Ranger to learn how to avoid it. Axle hop with RWD can really jack up the excitement level of the commute.

The compressor for the heat pump. They are just clarifying that the climate system is still electric, and doesn't need the ICE running to cool or heat. A heat pump is basically an air conditioner that can also work in 'reverse'; moving heat from outside to inside.

 

interesting. they're making an educated guess of course, but it will fun to see how close they come to the real thing when toyota reveals it.

when you said gas, i was thinking gasoline.

 

but, 'the climate control system is quieter, thanks to an electric compressor' makes it sound like gen 3 and 4 don't have an electric compressor.

 

VAPOR injected is the best way to refer to it.

 

I believe the electric compressor has been around since Gen2. It makes the compressor operate with less stress and therefore less noise.


Unsupervised!