Prius c Concept

I was actually referring to the fuel itself. If I got any on my hands while pumping it, the stink was intolerable. Gas is horrid, but diesel is worse.

For me there would have to be a substantial reduction in gasoline burned (important to me for the environment, not the cost) and still maintain reasonable comfort and handling on the highway, since I'd be trading a perfectly good 2004 for it. And, though I bought the 2004 at the beginning of the model year of a new model because I trust Toyota quality and didn't want to give up a year of driving a better car just to wait out the first model year, I have no particular reason to jump into a Prius c, so I'd probably wait a year and see how people like it. Unless a test-drive convinces me that it's a big improvement over mine. Or if they're giving away a girlfriend with every purchase.

 

Well I wasn't writing my response directly to you. You do realize that with a Tesla, Zap and a Prius your situation and approach is incredibly unique?

My arguement is more towards the idea of whether the Prius c can be considered exclusively or primarily an urban commuter as opposed to multi-faceted.

To me the answer is, from what we know, it's going to be a sub-compact. Along the lines of Yaris, Honda Fit size. My expectations would then be that it is as utilizable for that purpose as those vehicles.

For me personally? That means I "could" use it for road trips and long drives. I drive my Fit to the coast, and into the mountains...forest range of Oregon..with no problems.

It's all personal preference and expectation. For some? No sub-compact would ever be utilizable as a road trip vehicle. That is not my position.

As far as difference in efficiency? Again you are in a rather unique position, in both what you already own, and what your expectations are...

The difference between a Gen 2 Prius, used very specifically, with a Tesla and Zap Electrics also onboard...vs. The Prius c? Far different than myself. For me the comparison is...Honda Fit...which I think is a great ICE sub-compact vs. Prius c...hopefully a decent sub-compact and a great hybrid.

I'm looking at a fuel efficiency difference of roughly 30 mpg, vs. 60 mpg....

Unless I sit in a Prius c and absolutely hate it...and find something I absolutely can't live with? That difference makes it worth it to me....

I really do like my Honda Fit...but for me Toyota would REALLY have to drop the ball for me to not be interested in the Prius c.

 

Actually, I just shipped the Xebra off to Seattle to be sold on consignment. With luck, I will soon be down from 4 to 3 cars, and from two to one functioning EV. The electric Porsche is still up in the air. I'll have the motor balanced, as that's a small job. Then I'll decide whether to blow another $15K to replace the battery pack or not.

But yes, with a Prius and a 245-mile EV, my situation is unusual. (Though I imagine that most Tesla owners have a gas car also, since few can make do with a two-seater only.)

Let's see: If the c gets 60 mpg, and my Prius on the highway gets 50, and if my summer hiking trip puts 1,000 miles on it, that's 17 gallons vs 20. Looked at that way, I'm not sure I'd want to trade down after all. We'll see.

 

That's a good point.

With 10,000 miles of annual driving, a 5 MPG bump in fuel economy (from 50 to 55 MPG) would only save you the cost of about 18 gallons of gas PER YEAR.

The reasons I am more interested the Prius C (compared to the 3rd-generation Prius):

- it should be about $4,000 cheaper (hopefully)

- it will have better visibility out the rear window

 

FYI.

Some pictures of the production model are shown here.

Ken@Japan

 

Thanks, Ken.

I don't like the look from that angle but the side profile looks pretty good.

 

Is that a PULLEY I see ?

 

Harmonic balancer?

 

Well, yeah. Why not use an off-the-shelf balancer that has a pulley groove rather than build yet another SKU that costs money to inventory?

 

1.5 Liter HSD confirmed. The battery is pretty compact.

 

Sorry guys, I was being a little facetious, and it did not go through the internet tubes as intended.

I am wondering though if belts are used instead of electric motors.

 

What is left for the belts to drive?
Electric AC was introduced with the gen2. Many cars, hybrid and standard, are moving to electric steering. You'll only find belt driven fans on RWD.

That leaves the water and oil pump, AFAIK. Easy enough to go electric with these, and they likely could use the parts from the 1.8L.

 

I believe Gen3 has the pulley also. No belt is connected to it. It may be the same case with Prius c.

 

The only thing directly connected to the rotation of the ICE is the oil pump. Everything else is electric. Why there is a pulley (I suppose you mean with that the black wheel on the left side which is also present in the Prius and not connected to anything) connected to anything I have no clue....

 

PS: I would bet the Yaris hybrid will have the same 1.5L HSD of the Aqua/c.

 

It is also used for timing check.

Ken@Japan

 

FYI,
The export version Prius c of JDM Aqua youtube video.

Ken@Japan

 

Yes, it is 1NZ-FXE same as Gen2's but different construction.
The battery is 20 modules (7.2V NiMH), total 144V, and 19kW output.

Ken@Japan