If I was Lead Designer for the Prius, I would.....

I wouldn't use so much glossy plastic on the interior. It's really hard explaining to the guys why I have a swiffer in my car. I tell them my wife must have left it in there the last time I made her clean my car. (god i hope she won't see this)

I might also think about something other than spray paint to cover so much of the interior. My wife's Prius is an 06', much much better.

Other than that, it's perfect. Especially when I pull into my driveway with mpg at 60.1! (which just happened 15 minutes ago)

 

For body style, the only change I'd make is to the grill openings. The upper and lower ones don't fit together very well. The '06 addition of a chrome horizontal piece does absolutely nothing, and in my opinion actually looks worse than having the grill all the same color. It would look better if the opening in the upper grill had a complimentary shape to the lower grill, and had the same sort of inset.

I love the teardrop shape.

 

Continue to improve the drivetrain, moving to latest gen LIon battery technology and offer PHEV option. Then I'd dramatically improve rear visibility and handling. Next would be the lumbar support and adjustment options for the front seats, especially the driver's seat. I also agree about improving the climate controls. Make them analog like the Camry. I don't want to have to look at the MFD to adjust.

 

Buy out Eifler and put CAN View in every Prius with plug in that goes both ways. Charges the battery and /or acts as a generator for my house in emergencies. Can you imagine what it would have been like in the Gulf if even a quarter of the cars could have supplied 3KW of power? A whole lot less suffering.

 

I would like improved climate controls, I would like to control the fan on the steering wheel more than the temp.

A little more protection from sun glare out with the MFD. In SoCal this is a problem.

I really love this car and can't imagine too much else but that is probably why I am a nurse and not an engineer or designer

 

Hey, lead designer sounds like fun. That way I could sit around and dream up wild ideas, while the rest of the team would somehow make it work. And I'd get paid the big bucks! Now I know I'm dreaming.

I'd go all out to stiffen the body structure wherever possible. Add an adjustable height suspension, for better handling and aerodynamics, with the ability to negotiate speed bumps when necessary. Better tires! I'd play around in the wind tunnel for awhile, making spoilers that change with speed and grille openings that change size to meet the cooling needs. Add a USB port on the vastly improved stereo, or better yet a net connection. Source or invent lighter, more powerful batteries and increase the capacity at the same time. Find some bright young engineer who won't know whether I'm joking and ask them to put some kind of magic coating, or maybe a slight electrostatic charge, on the windows so the water jumps right off, and ditch the wipers. Does anybody here remember those Citroens with the headlights that peeked around corners? Can we do that? But first, get rid of that speed governor!

I think I'm going to like this job. Thanks!

 

Door locks that activate when the car is put in gear. (But that do not compromise your security by unlocking the moment you put it in park)

A button that allows the driver to unlock the rear hatch while still in the car.

Some way to know where your front bumper is without getting out of the car.

 

Seats that are comfortable for people >6' tall, with adjustable height, tilt angle, and lumbar.

 

I could go on and on...

1) More rear seat head room. I know they improved it slightly for 2006, but at 5'11" my head is against the ceiling. A hatchback should have plenty of headroom in the back.

2) Conventional climate controls.

3) Better traction control system that doesn't engage so easily. In the same thought, I wouldn't consider buying a prius with VSC unless there was a way to disable it. VSC would be nice for casual everyday driving, but when I'm enjoying a curvy mountain road, it is the last thing I want to have on.

4) Some type of sound device on the outside to warn pedistrians (car sound, not a beep sound).

5) Get rid of almost all beeps. Unless you leave your headlights on, or something similar that requires your attention, it shouldn't beep at you. Some more gentle sounds are ok if they can be disabled. The click of a relay is a good example of a soft sound.

6) Brighter and more power efficient, LED lighting on the interior.

7) LED brake light. Faster responce time than conventional taillights, and the sharp turnon is more attention getting.

8) Headlights that don't blind other drivers. The old headlights are much better.

9) Some type of passing button, or performance mode, so when you are preparing to pass someone, the car can rev up the engine in anticipation.

10) Did I mention less beeps?

11) More detailed stats on display, and a way to program/customize display, using some type of generic software interface. Make 3rd party software available.

12) Electric powered supercharger. It should be possible to increase maximum performance without impacting fuel economy when driving in everyday conditions.

13) Add a lower end model without all the electronics, just a simple fuel efficient car.

14) Add 2 new colors to the lineup 1) a bright sports car yellow color and 2) a vivid blue.

15) Something to address rusty brakes.

16) Have some type of fake manaul shifting for those who gave up a stick shift to get a prius.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 25 2006, 03:33 PM) [snapback]260799[/snapback]</div>

16) No point. The Murano's CVT has seven virtual gears and makes you wonder why. It'll be less efficient than a CVT and why would you want to jerk when you can have smooth acceleration?
[/b][/quote]
So, do you mean the six speed virtual gears on S mode of GS 450h is useless?

Ken@Japan

 

On both the Energy and Consupmtion screens, I'd like to see a couple of meters.
The one I'd like the most is a Regen level. As it hits the red area, you are starting to use friction brakes.

<div align="center">[attachmentid=3608] </div>

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Begreen @ May 24 2006, 10:49 PM) [snapback]260696[/snapback]</div>

You shouldn't have to. Press the voice button on your steering wheel and clearly speak "72 degrees."

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AnOldHouse @ May 25 2006, 10:14 AM) [snapback]260869[/snapback]</div>

Yes, well not all us us have such a feature on our cars...that is a package 7 or 8 feature I believe... I have a 4 no no voice commands for me (nor do I need them)

 

Please NEED better seats. This is the one thing that buggggggs me. But then I am in the car 2 to 3 hrs a-day.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bgdrewsif @ May 25 2006, 10:50 AM) [snapback]260880[/snapback]</div>

That's true. Voice command feature is part of the navigation package, and on a 2006, that is packages #7 and #8, and it's #6 on a 2005.

But I was specifically quoting and replying to Begreen's post, who who stated he wanted a feature so that he does not have to look at the MFD to adjust the climate controls and does have a 2006 with package #7, so he does have voice commands.

My point was that the feature IS already designed into the Prius (considering the stated subject of this thread) as an option, certainly as long as you are willing to pay for that option.

 

Climate control needs a "passive" mode where I don't have to run the fan (activate the AC) to move air through the vehicle. Just the forward motion of the vehicle should be enough to move outside air through the vehicle.

Side mirror lights (parking, running, turn signal).

Improved insulation (doors, top) for lower sound levels and better resistance to outside temperatures.

PHEV with photovoltaic assist!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AnOldHouse @ May 25 2006, 11:21 AM) [snapback]260890[/snapback]</div>

I have a #6. I don't have a Bluetooth phone yet, so I haven't tried it. But my salesman demonstrated Bluetooth with his phone, including the ability to dial via voice command.

Is Bluetooth dialing the only voice command in a #6? Or do I actually have access to other voice commands?