2010 Unveiling Webcast - Where's Steve Jobs when you need him?

[okiebutnotfrommuskogee]

I didn't have any luck getting on between 7 and noon either.

[bwilson4web]

Originally Posted by jpadc

Well, I watched the webcast and I am very impressed with the car. Maybe the behind the scenes stuff has been great for the PriusChatters too (I hope so), but as for theatre -- someone really needs to watch Steve Jobs unveil a new product...

We had a nice lunch but due to technical difficulties, the picture quality was poor and the colors somewhat washed out. Then some of the Prius folks began making "Mystery Science Theater 3000" comments as various shadows popped up at the bottom of the screen. I fully expected to see the shaddow of Crow T. Robot or Tom Servo ... we had their voices and attitudes. <grins>

What was funny was the reaction of the non-Prius folks, honored guests, who had never really met us before. They were bemused and sometimes confused at what we treated as applause lines. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

[mrbigh]

Originally Posted by okiebutnotfrommuskogee

I didn't have any luck getting on between 7 and noon either.

Unfortunately the website was down because of technical unknowns (unreachable database)

[txtabby]

It's up now on the Toyota site... not the full press conference though. Anyone know when they are going to produce the plug-in Prius? Once that comes out then I'll trade in my '07.

[Rxmxsh]

So it's not a plug in, correct? Only a gas hyrbrid, correct?

Also, I'd be willing to bet that the 2nd gen Prius value will plummet when the 2010 goes on sale. JMO.

[donee]

"zero-to-sixty acceleration time has dropped from the previous generation’s mid 10-second range to 9.8 seconds, making it comparable to that of an average midsize sedan with a 2.4-liter engine"

BALONEY!!!

And the improvement is not that much as predicted (.7 seconds or 6.7 % for a 20 % engine size increase). That extra engine weight, rotation momentum over power the two motors during electric launch enough to keep the time down compared to what simply a engine swap in a traditional vehicle might infer.

I am not interested in highway mileage myself. I rarely get out on road trips. I want my 74 mpg pulse and glides!!! With the extra weight and pulse consumption, I have a feeling the P and G perfromance will be down in the mid 60's now. What happened to the much balyhooed 25 % fuel economy increase spoken about? I think that got gobbled up by Mr. 1.8 liters!!! I am having an Americanized VW TDI moment here !!!

The exhaust heat recovery system is VERY welcomed modification for my driving enviorment.

The touch tracer is a response to the poor and unchanging (lack of functional indication) in the 2nd Gen Prius steering wheel button lights. Good Idea.

BUT THEY GOTTA MOVE THAT SPEEDOMETER BACK INLINE WITH THE DRIVER!

[JimboK]

Originally Posted by Rxmxsh

Also, I'd be willing to bet that the 2nd gen Prius value will plummet when the 2010 goes on sale. JMO.

I seriously doubt it, especially when gas prices go back up (and they will). It will be one of the best fuel-mileage and most reliable used cars on the market.

[mrv]

Originally Posted by donee

BUT THEY GOTTA MOVE THAT SPEEDOMETER BACK INLINE WITH THE DRIVER!

for this shortish (5'2" on a good day) woman, I'm glad to see the spedometer back in the middle of the dash, where I'm used to it on my Classic Prius. There's a better sight line for us shorter folks to see over the dashboard with the info in the center, rather than blocking our view in front of the steering wheel.

Then again, with the adjustable-height driver's seat, and the telescoping/tilt steering wheel, the driver's seat is a lot more accomadating for more differently built people.

[mrv]

Originally Posted by Rxmxsh

So it's not a plug in, correct? Only a gas hyrbrid, correct?

correct, not yet a plug-in.

Originally Posted by Rxmxsh

Also, I'd be willing to bet that the 2nd gen Prius value will plummet when the 2010 goes on sale. JMO.

Back in 2003, after the announcement of the newly redesigned 2004 Prius, sales of new 2003 Prius plummeted, and could be found cheaply on dealer lots. Once the new 2004 Prius was out, there was also a flood of used Classic Prius on the market as owners traded-up to the new model. But, sales of the used Prius were good, as some people "settled" on it instead of the months-long waiting lists at some dealers. Used sales of the 2004 Prius when people got their hands on one were usually selling for more than the new pricing (including taxes/registration), so there were a few Prius speculators "flipping" the new 2004 Prius at the time...

[mrbigh]

Originally Posted by mrv

for this shortish (5'2" on a good day) woman, I'm glad to see the speedometer back in the middle of the dash, where I'm used to it on my Classic Prius. There's a better sight line for us shorter folks to see over the dashboard with the info in the center, rather than blocking our view in front of the steering wheel.

Then again, the telescoping/tilt steering wheel, the driver's seat is a lot more accommodating for more differently built people.

I second MRV in her comments and please to add that me, being 6.1ft with long legs, all seat adjustments, lumbar, height and longer sliding travel is more accommodating to the American market, different than the original designed one. The dream of many already came through.