I was hoping for some info from an SAE convention or something. However, I just realized that info comes out *after* Toyota releases their design...and that hasn't happened yet. There is a symposium coming up though ( Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technologies Symposium ).
The refresh just happened this year. I wouldn't expect anything about the next redesign for at least another year.
Prius was always first to show the next generation hybrid Technology, so I expect more efficient power electronics and higher engine efficiency, but I doubt that there is much room for improvement, maybe more power? From what Toyota is doing in the concept vehicles My guess is that Solar roof (maybe even hood) will come as standard, and just a little bigger battery to accommodate that extra solar charge (3 kWh maybe?). I doubt the plug-in version will be the only version, It's just too much of compromise in interior volume for those that can't charge at home. Maybe it will be either Solar or plug-in as the two uses are more exclusive than not. I don't see the longer range in plug-in version, Toyota will roll out dedicated BEV for that purpose.
If you raise the deck you can fit anything under there Seriously, tax credit will runt out, HOV lane will run out, how many people will take Prime over regular Prius if it's priced $4k more? I believe the plug-in version will stay as an option, but it won't be the most selling Prius model ever. PHEVs will never see mass adoption, because for people that can plug-in over night a BEV is already a much better option, it's just a question of range fast charging (infrastrukture).
interesting thoughts. i agree to some extent, but it depends on the timeline and external pressures. peeves will grow in the current environment, but if gas prices spike, recession hits, government policies change, or batteries and charging has a paradigm shift, it could effect the whole mix. but change usually comes slowly
Or fit a spare tire? I think their strategy there is like the frog in a pot of slowly heating water: they keep deleting the spare from more Prius levels (oddly, starting at the top and working their way down*), counting on buyers' short attention spans. For insurance they add more trinkets and beads to the dash. * Maybe not so odd? Could be by deleting spare from the upper levels, it's a "prestige" thing to not have a spare?
It's because of fuel economy regulations. Spare tires add weight. The fancy features that get people to pay extra for higher trims also add weight. Have both and the car is in the next up weight category, the manufacturer can't use the MPG results of the the lower trim car on the window sticker. They'll have to test it separately, and the higher trim car will have a lower rating. Buyers may not care, but it matters for CAFE.
And you get on call service for a certain time so maybe you trade in the car at that point because you don't have that on call service available. People who buy the highest level trims may be more willing to buy more frequently. So more specs, more MPG, more features could lead to more turnover.
Weight is the reason spare tires are removed. The move to SofTex also helped Toyota reduce weight over a leather interior.
I only filled My Prius tank half way, and took the rear seat out of the HHR. It helped with fuel economy.
