What's the deal: Faster, Fatter 2010?

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by Neohybrid

How about a Prius pick-up? I'm holding onto my four-door F-150 because of those times I need a truck. I can't sell it for much anyway.

lol!! ya i know what you mean... i got a 1191 F-150...5th wheel towing package, dual tanks (one tank hasnt seen a drop of gas in almost 10 years!!)
fuel injection...stereo (worth probably twice as much as the truck)

nowadays, its a toss up as to paying for tabs or the cost of having someone tow it away... cant even give it away!!

[sorka]

Originally Posted by Dave_PH

I'd trade some MPG for performance and handling. A 15% drop in mileage wouldn't kill me. Bring on the Prius Sport Edition .

But you won't have to because in addition to being bigger, faster, and more powerful, Toyota claims 71 MPG which is a 47% increase over the current model, not a 15% decrease.

[kabin]

Originally Posted by sorka

Toyota claims 71 MPG which is a 47% increase over the current model...

Do you have a link to that claim?

[DaveinOlyWA]

i dont think that 71 mpg is using the same gallons as we do

[sorka]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

i dont think that 71 mpg is using the same gallons as we do

The point being that Toyota has stated on several occasions that the Gen III will get a "significant" or "substantial" boost in fuel economy over the Gen II despite the increase in both vehicle and engine size.

[Black2006]

I am still of the opinion that a fatter, faster Prius is betraying its primary focus and mission.

Prior to coming to market, the Prius "focus-group-ed" really badly, both in Japan and in the US, but their management pushed it through to the success it's now become. It appears now they are playing it safe, and going after the Camry/Oldsmobil crowd.

Let's look at a quick rundown of the EPA interior passenger volume of the Prius, compared to some of the better European sedans:

Prius: 96 cf

Audi A4: 90cf

Audi 6: 98 cf

BMW 328i: 93 cf

Mercedes C350: 88 cf

Here is a link to the Mercedes specs, search for others in Yahoo's "New Cars."
Specifications &#8212 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class C350 Sport Sedan — Yahoo! Autos

The idea that the Prius is too small, is simply not true. Too small for what?

If I wanted a Winnebago, I'll get a Winnebago.

[Dave_PH]

Black...."I am still of the opinion that a fatter, faster Prius is betraying its primary focus and mission"

What is it's primary mission and focus? If it's to reduce aggregate fuel consumption and pollution building versions that appeal to more people are effective. Well, once they start to build enough of them.

I'd like to hear more about the focus groups and how the Prius made it to market. It's a hell of an innovation

[toyotatommy]

I am sure that Toyota knows what they are doing with the next generation prius. They are way ahead of the curve on hybrid technology and can produce a car that is more useful and more efficient. Remember the Honda Insight where is that today. Smaller with good milage does not equal better. Useful, practical and efficient equals better.

[sorka]

Originally Posted by Black2006

I am still of the opinion that a fatter, faster Prius is betraying its primary focus and mission.

The primary focus is and should be getting as many consumers to make the switch over to using less fuel. The Gen III is getting slightly bigger, a lot more powerful(primarily due to a larger electric drive), and a lot quicker all while getting much better better fuel economy.

I don't know about you, but this is damn appealing to me. If the Gen III was available now and delivered on it's promises, I'd pony up $35K for one right now.

[Dave_PH]

Ah Ha! It was Clinton.

I'm looking at a Prius history website.

History

1993

The Partnership for the Next Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) was founded. It was a 10-year project setup in America by the Clinton administration to help fund research into developing family-sized vehicles that could deliver 80 MPG efficiency