Prime midcycle improvements

How about making the 2 spots in back even more appealing by adding a heated-seat option and USB access?

Seat cooling in front (like Lexus offers) would be really nice too.

CHAdeMO for this market may be a draw as well.

 

Basically we in USA want more ft3 interior (111-ft3 is quite small) so that could mean ditching the solar charging option (which USA does not get anyways) and I think that frees up space. But seems like we need a slightly bigger frame and little higher roof in back. Basically we'd like what Prius hybrid was, smart design of exterior/interior to minimize battery impact on cargo space etc.

Right now we are basically getting hybrid vehicles with plug-in option squeezed in.
Personally they can make the battery 4-6 kWhr as for me. I like solar charging but I can put that equip in my garage, including the panel. In effect, CA demands min. 8 kWhr battery for ZEV credits, so we are stuck there.

I view Toyota as going for what Japan needs which is highest possible MPG to reduce oil imports, and on-board solar charging, to reduce electric demand from power stations/grid. So a self-solar-charged Prime is actually incredible for that scenario. But it's not a USA scenario.

 

My round-trip to work is 22.5 miles. My round trip to the flying field is 26.2 miles. My trip to my nearby family is 22.5 miles.

This range is perfect for me.

The biggest thing they did wrong with the whole G4 design in my opinion was the lack of interior storage options. That was one of the biggest selling points to me with my 2004. The Prime is actually better here than the regular G4 liftback.

Yes, they should do a way better job packaging the batteries and put them under the rear seat where the G4 has them. They should fit.

Along with that, they need to bring back the double glove box, put an organizer in the front bottom of the dash, fix the stupid placement of the gear shift, and put back the underfloor trays in the cargo area.

 

My two cents: I would love to have a converter that would make the car a backup generator. I have periodic power outages and I think I'm not alone here. It is offered in Japan, but the wattage is small when measured against American needs. I think we would need to have 2000 watts minimum.

 

2000 Watt Continuous/4000 Watt Peak Power Inverter

 

extend the body to match the extended rear end, and add another 3 or 4 cubic feet of space to the hatch.

 

I know about this, but would love to have a nice, clean factory installation.

 

With you there.

 

wouldn't we all. and a built in block heater that runs off the evse, as someone suggested.

 

All pre-production up to now !
I remember that gen 3. didn't even have any USB outlet when launched,but no one had to wait for the refresh for it to be an option .
What is more surprising to me that it has no vents in the back,yes there will be the usual ones under the seat,but it's not quite the same as the competitors offer .
But as i said pre-production,so who knows?

 

The ability of the Prime to supply emergency power to a home requires the CHAdeMO plug and a special 'backwards' EVSE that is actually the out put invertor. Some of those should be available for the Mirai to power a home, and they are likely around $10k.

 

I was under the impression that the PiP2 in Japan will have an optional 100VAC 1.5kW outlet at the back which does not need "CHAdeMO plug and a special 'backwards' EVSE" and that is what @KrPtNk was looking for (but increased to at least 2kW).
Can you elaborate on the 'backward' EVSE? Never heard of such.

 

^Could be this?

 

There was some photos in one of the threads of an orange adapter that allowed plugging an appliance into the Prime's charge port. I don't think such would meet the needs for emergency home power. It was powering a tea kettle at a picnic in the photos.

I called the other device a 'backwards' EVSE because it can charge the car, and also transfer electricity from the car to power the home. They available in Japan, and might be available in California for use with the Mirai.
2016 Toyota Mirai Power-Out Jack Could Run Your Home In Emergencies

 

In power outage, 1.5-2kW source is of help. Not to heat the home but at least some light, watching TV, chatting at PC and more.

 

The main thing I used my 2000W inverter for in a power outage is running my refrigerator and my freezer. I use my 300W one for the fan on my fireplace and miscellaneous things like charging phones, and powering things like LED lights.

The average US home draws an average of 1000W (that's a 24 hour average). The large use for my inverter is starting up the compressor motors in those refrigeration devices. Running load is only about 150W.

 

The PiP had an option for providing emergency power in Japan. Many asked we it wasn't available outside of Japan. The answer is because it required CHAdeMO(which a comment by a Toyota rep says is true of the Prime) and power station, or Toyota doesn't see the need for providing a small inverter that meets other markets electric standards.

Perhaps the small one will be available in the refresh, but I expect it to be like factory Nav; overpriced and not as flexible as aftermarket.

 

I did not know this, can you provide a reference?
CHAdeMO is, as far as I know, a fast DC charging type in which the charger is in the charging station and DC current is provided to the car bypassing its charger. Don't understand what this has to do with an AC outlet?