Prime Delayed because.....the Hatch!

for what it's worth, I tried google translate on the linked page, and this is the result...

Toyota, released postponed rear door production delay of the new PHV
2016/8/3 20:23


Toyota Motor Corp. is the new plug-in hybrid vehicle to delay the release of its (PHV) "Prius PHV". Initially they had planned to fall, but announced in three days and delay in this winter. For the first time new car is as Toyota vehicles, it plans to adopt a rear door made of lightly durable resin. This production has been delayed, it seems to have determined that the number is not aligned required before the original release date.

The same day to the parts manufacturer, was reported to be revised downward the production plan for this autumn of the new Prius PHV. October's pattern was reduced from about 4,000 to about 1,500. According to the officials, Toyota is to produce a rear door at the Motomachi factory where there is actual production of the sports car with lots of resin parts (Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture), that the time to mass production in a stable manner is at stake.

Toyota is the PHV can be charged with a domestic power supply hybrid car was released pillars and positioning of environment-friendly vehicles following the (HV), the Prius PHV in 2012. Extend the distance that can be run without the gasoline on the entire surface by an improved, had planned to give a momentum to the sales that are only about 75,000.

 

sounds like model x gull wings.

 

Where's Bill Murray when we need him? (Lost in Translation)

Interesting pics of the hatch, probably more detail than we've seen..... I am looking for possible extra cargo space hidden in the hatch, and there does seem to be bulge in the rear maybe an extra 1-ft3...not sure how this compares to non-Prime Gen4 metal hatch.

 

The hatch did seem thick, but didn't contain any storage space that I saw. If there were storage the extra weight could make opening difficult. Maybe the thickness is to contain structural strengthening to protect the battery in the event of a rear end collision. You can see a bit of the structure in one of the photos.

 

I wonder what the weight savings is with the carbon fiber.

When I replaced the tailgate in my 2013 plugin Prius the naked aluminum tailgate shell (glass removed) was quite light .... if I were to guess it weighed only 10-15 pounds.

 

would be interesting if all this trouble and expense was to save a pound or two. i wonder the weight difference between standard and bubble glass.

does 'this winter' mean we are now in a holding pattern as well?

 

My thought is that if you get rear ended...that hatch is going to be difficult and expensive to replace or repair.

 

Then there's the weight of the rear wiper assembly that is not there in the Prime.

 

More importantly....the rear window has no rear wiper?! The water flow and defrost better be good. I live a rainy place and use my rear wiper on my 2010 prius all the time.....have any test drivers been in the rain? how is the back window in the rain and for visibility in general?

 

Third Prius, have yet to ever use the rear wiper

 

maybe they impregnate it with lifetime rain x.

 

Use mine often. Especially when backing into the garage in the rain or snow. Or if the window is dirty from salt or whatever.

 

I have to admit that I don't even know how to make the rear washer nozzle spray on the hatch window.

 

To those of you reading Japan articles, it would be nice to know their cargo space quotes for Prime. USA cargo space spec is questionable EPA method...and we do not have either US or Japan number as far as I know.

 

Starting with a somewhat small but intricate piece is an excellent way to introduce carbon-fiber to mainstream vehicles.

 

i was just saying that to my wife.