Only 3 more months until the Detroit Auto Show

That has to be the worst website design I've seen this side of 1997!

 

I'm wondering whether Toyota will debut the Gen 4 prius at either the Detroit show, or maybe the LA show next month. This is just pure speculation on my part, but here's my thoughts:

1. GM is expected to reveal the Gen 2 Volt at the Detroit show. Toyota would be competing big time with them as far as coverage, especially if the Volt 2.0 has really impressive stats on it, such as 50-60 mile ev range, 45+ mpg in hybrid mode with regular gas, more cargo room and a 5th seat. It's not likely to have all those, but in the event it did, it may make the gen 4 prius look a little tame by comparison unless Toyota can blow us away as well.

2. California is where the prius is the most popular. So it might make sense to reveal it there, to cause people there to start drooling for it. Plus they avoid problem #1 (unless GM also decides to reveal volt 2.0 there instead of Detroit), and if the gen 4 prius is impressive enough, it may cause the Volt 2.0's announcement to lose some of its steam.

Historically, I think Toyota revealed the next gen priuses at Detroit, because it's one of the biggest auto shows, so it would get a lot of coverage. But again, because of reason #2, they might instead reveal the gen 4 prius, then maybe tease us with gen 2 Plug-in prius info at Detroit to deliver a double whammy to other carmakers and keep the gen 4 in the public's mind.

Of course this will likely make remaining 2015 gen 3 priuses sales tank too, unless they already anticipated that and aren't making many to focus on the gen 4.

 

Haha, I should have said "most popular in the US" with California. And I hope they show something soon, regardless of where they show it, the suspense is killing me lol.

 

The suspense will be killing sales as the competition catch up

 

Here's the thing....

GM announced Volt 2.0 is aimed for the Detroit show and as a 2016 model. Unless something goes drastically wrong, I expect it.

Gen IV was originally going to be a 2015 model, several websites listed it as shown Fall 2014 and in production Spring 2015 as a 2015 model.

6 month delay = GenIV not released Spring 2015 but ~ fall 2015 as a 2016 model
It was said PiP would follow the following year, don't know why especially when Toy originally stated PiP would be in production in parallel..

Another fact: a lot of large dealers already saw the would-be or close-to production model of the Gen IV in Vegas. Managers stating it's a head turner for sure (but I can't help to think that the article was written in an unimpressed tone, like 'head turner' but too late...)

So I guess it's possible to see the Gen IV at the LA show, BUT Toy also stated they are going to sell the 2015 model through the year and just focus on that for now...

And I agree, going against the Volt 2 if GM keeps their schedule could dampen the appeal but increase competition

 

Considering how much discussion my post about the teaser specs for the Volt is generating, Toyota would be wise to do something similar with the gen 4 prius. Otherwise people will forget about the gen 4, or may just ditch it altogether, in favor of another vehicle.

GM releases some teasers for Volt 2.0 | PriusChat

This being priuschat, I'd much rather discuss the prius. But since Toyota hasn't been forthcoming with any new information in months, and many of us getting tired of repeating ourselves (I'm sure I sound like a broken record lol), we're now looking at other cars to compare it to, instead of comparing gen 3 to gen 4 like we probably should have been doing.

I just hope Toyota isn't being lazy and thinking the public will wait patiently for new info. That may have worked back when the gen 3 was coming out, but so many other viable hybrids and ev's are coming out from their competitors now that if they keep holding everything back, we may just lose interest when they finally do show it off.

I know at this point a mere 55-60 mpg combined on its own isn't going to knock my socks off, so if they don't have anything else that'll blow us away (say, all-wheel drive, much better handling, or a much lower price), I might just get a non-prius when the time comes to replace my prius.

 

I agree. Existing owners always like to keep an eye out for the latest model, esp as the gen3 is over 5 years old now. It's just getting a little long in the tooth and if people don't have any idea whatsoever what the gen4 is going to be like, then they'll look elsewhere.

 

Wow, GM might hit 50/5/50 (50 mpg, 5 passenger, 50 miles EV).

Then again, what they released look like 4 passenger still, no? Because of how the battery is laid out.

 

Chevy Volt spy pics! The front end is definitely much lower than the current.

U Spy Another Group of 2016 Chevrolet Volts