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Hybrid Minivan

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by hycamguy07, Sep 3, 2006.

  1. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

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    I ran accross this surfin the web.. This would be soooo cool. A Hybrid Soccer Mom vehicle! :)
    Saves gas = Saves money ;)


    Takin from hybridcars.com:
    http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sienna-minivan-hybrid.html


    American consumers have overwhelmingly stated that they would consider a hybrid powertrain option—if it came in the same size/segment car they currently drive. Minivan drivers are not going to give up their seven or eight passenger vehicles for compact hybrids. However, family-oriented minivan owners might flock to a fuel-efficient eco-friendly hybrid minivan.


    The Japanese Toyota Sienna Hybrid Minivan's main features:

    The Japanese Estima Hybrid uses a 2.4 liter, four-cylinder engine. The U.S. Sienna hybrid system will likely be similar to the one being used in this year’s Highlander and Lexus Hybrid SUVs. In the SUVs, the gasoline engine, CVT transmission and electric motor combo will deliver up to 270 hp total for a speedy 0 – 60 acceleration in 8 seconds. The Estima may be a little slower.
    A four-wheel drive system dubbed “E-Four,†which regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel propelled electric motor and coordinates electric power distribution to all four wheels.
    ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake system) for efficient wheel-by-wheel brake control and optimum management of the vehicle’s regenerative brake system.
    1,500 watts of auxiliary 100-volt power available via electrical sockets—enough to power hair-driers, laptops or microwave ovens.
    A highly aerodynamic body design, insulated roof, and an “intuitive†humidity-sensing air-conditioning system—all designed to help decrease fuel consumption.
    Fuel economy numbers targeted to around 40 mpg, and low emissions (the first minivan to meet stringent levels set by the Japanese Ministry of the Environment).

    Read more on the minivan:
    http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/hyview/minivan-tease

    Even more info on the minivan:
    http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2006/06/12/010954.html
     
    #1 hycamguy07, Sep 3, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    The Estima isn't the Sienna. It's actually the Previa that we had but apparently people didn't buy enough to justify selling the next generation here so Toyota gave us the Sienna.

    It's smaller than the Sienna (probably closer in size to the 1st gen Sienna) but it's quite stylish and I think it could do well here.

    If anything, like the article said, it's more likely we'll get a V6 Sienna hybrid. What would be nice if the next Sienna came with both a hybrid and V6 version that had similar hp and 0-60 times. That would get people thinking.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Sep 3, 2006
  3. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    I think the Minivan crowd is also concerned about how much it takes to fill the tank and how often they have to do it. For this reason, a hybrid Minivan would be a good choice. Especially if they can keep the price within the range of the average Minivans and the amenities are the same or better. That's the key. No matter how lame the claim, you have to fight the naysayers claiming you have to pay and extra $7,000 "hybrid fee" for the "same car".
     
    #3 Godiva, Sep 3, 2006
  4. Jonnycat26

    Jonnycat26 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 3 2006, 08:07 PM) [snapback]313688[/snapback]</div>
    Actually, the Previa sold well until it got somewhat of a reputation for being a death trap in accidents. After that, sales dove off a cliff and sank.
     
    #4 Jonnycat26, Sep 3, 2006
  5. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    They should do like they did with my Camry wagon and make fold-out seats in the hatch of the Prius: 7 seater!

    Probably not so safety-friendly if they did that, so maybe it's unlikely :(
     
    #5 Ichabod, Sep 3, 2006
  6. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    I would LOVE to see the Estima mini-van here instead of the Sienna. I think a small mini-van that can seat 7 when you need it with a 4 cyl ICE would be the best. If your only gonna get a little increase in mpg's, ala Hylander hybrid I don't think it's worth the extra money but a 4 cyl, little mini van would give a bigger boost in mpg's.
     
    #6 paprius4030, Sep 3, 2006
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Sep 3 2006, 06:23 PM) [snapback]313734[/snapback]</div>
    <shrug> do not know about that. Must be a US thing. I know the Canadian models were ridiculously priced. A Previa LE 4WD with dual moonroofs and the supercharged 2.4 litre engine costs around Cdn$40k back in 96-97.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Ichabod @ Sep 3 2006, 06:50 PM) [snapback]313743[/snapback]</div>
    I think someone said the 3rd row seat from a...hmm.. was it an SRX? fits in a Prius. It works since the seatbelt mechanism is built into the seat. All you need to do is find some way to securely mount it and small kids that won't bang their heads against the rear glass. Oh and make sure the other passengers are light otherwise you'll break the 810lb limit (or was it 830lb?)
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Sep 4, 2006
  8. Ichabod

    Ichabod Artist In Residence

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    Well look at the minivan set: if they're hauling 7 people, chances are that 5+ passengers are children. Get much older than that and it becomes "uncool" to ride with the other kiddies.

    The Camry did it by flipping up from underneath (goodbye storage box :( ) and facing backwards, so about the same headroom as the regular back seat.
     
    #8 Ichabod, Sep 4, 2006
  9. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    I'm second in line for a Sienna Hybrid at my local dealership. (Someday).

    Nate
     
    #9 naterprius, Sep 4, 2006
  10. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    I don't mind the TCH 4-cyl setup in the Sienna getting the 30+ mpg. 192hp is plenty for me. Look at our Prius, 109hp is plenty for a 2800+ lb car. Anyone remember the old days of 150hp Minivans? And 192hp is not enough? Greedy Americans.... :lol:
     
    #10 dipper, Sep 7, 2006
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Nope.. hence the 268hp Camry (and 280hp Passat)
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, Sep 7, 2006
  12. ecprius

    ecprius Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Sep 7 2006, 10:12 AM) [snapback]315792[/snapback]</div>
    I had a '91 Caravan (not the Grand) with the 150hp 3.3L V6 and that was plenty for my needs.
    MPG was in the high teens in town and high 20s on the highway.
    I would love to have a hybrid Sienna with at least 150hp and over 30mpg combined city/highway!
    A minivan is a great vacation car ... I miss it.
    - Ed
     
    #12 ecprius, Sep 7, 2006
  13. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    #13 zenMachine, May 22, 2007
  14. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    One of the articles says that Toyota claims the hybrid Estima's fuel efficiency is 20.0km/l. That translates to 47.8 mpg. As much as my wife likes her Pilot, I'd trade it for a hybrid Estima in a second.
     
    #14 larkinmj, May 22, 2007
  15. DeadPhish

    DeadPhish Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paprius4030 @ Sep 3 2006, 10:32 PM) [snapback]313766[/snapback]</div>

    This is the best solution. Leave the Sienna as it is for those that need a big minivan. The V6 in it now is very very good. But for those not needing all that space the Estima ( named the Prius minivan here ) would be an ideal option. Options are good for buyers. In addition a smaller van with the 2.4l + HSD could be less expensive than the current Sienna ICE V6. Appearanaces are also important.
     
    #15 DeadPhish, May 23, 2007
  16. TimBikes

    TimBikes New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ May 22 2007, 12:37 PM) [snapback]447479[/snapback]</div>
    Did you sign the petition? Seems like a reasonable thing to do.
     
    #16 TimBikes, May 23, 2007
  17. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TimBikes @ May 23 2007, 01:31 AM) [snapback]447937[/snapback]</div>
    Actually, I bought a Prius only because I couldn't afford to import the Estima from Japan. :(
    So yes, I did sign this petition.

    If the Toyota gods decide to bring their hybrid minivans to the US, I'll be among the first to put up a deposit.
    I suspect that waiting list would be even longer than the Prius', now that gas prices are going through the roof.
     
    #17 zenMachine, May 23, 2007
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 22 2007, 12:55 PM) [snapback]447496[/snapback]</div>
    Note that's under the Japanese test cycle. Over here, it's probably more like 35mpg. The current Prius gets nearly 86mpg under the same Japanese test but it's only rated as.. whatever the new EPA city rating is lol.
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, May 23, 2007
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