2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with EV button

[toyotablackbox]

The special Toyota Highlander Hybrid minisite on Toyota's USA homepage (http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minis...der/index.html) shows a picture of an "EV" button on the center console of the new highlander(3rd picture under hybrid photos). The caption reads: "Electric Vehicle (EV) button." This is very exciting news and I wonder if it will be a plug-in hybrid with advanced batteries. It should give some hints as to what to expect for the 2009 Prius. The 2008 Highlander was recently introduced at the Chicago Auto Ahow and had the following caption from Toyota:

"The design of the all-new 2008 Toyota Highlander does more than evoke the future; with available Hybrid Synergy Drive®, your mileage is futuristic, too. The all-new 2008 Highlander Hybrid intelligently captures energy otherwise lost by coasting or braking to recharge the battery. Combined with a conventionally powered gas engine, the 2008 Highlander Hybrid will leave other SUVs in its low-emissions dust."

Also the hybrid drive system has been significantly upgraded (from Autoweek):

"The Highlander Hybrid also debuted with an upgraded hybrid drive system with net 270-hp, while retaining impressive fuel economy even with the new trucks extra 500-pounds of heft over the last version. All Hybrid models will feature standard full-time four-wheel drive, electronic brake and throttle control and electronically-controlled active steering. The Highlander Hybrid goes on sale in September and will be available in both Base and Limited trim levels."

[kinghuang]

Isn't the 270 net hp the same as before? Still, the EV button is interesting!

ETA: I just listened to that brief press conference video segment on the site and the presenter specifically mentions the "first ever full EV mode."

[Crtnt]

That is exciting to hear! Thanks for the link. While I was checking it out I clicked on the Chicago Reveal where Don Esmond, Senior VP for NA Toyota Sales states that it will "include a first ever full EV Mode". Exciting news indeed!



<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(toyotablackbox @ Feb 12 2007, 03:00 AM) [snapback]388780[/snapback]</div>

The special Toyota Highlander Hybrid minisite on Toyota's USA homepage (http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/minis...der/index.html) shows a picture of an "EV" button on the center console of the new highlander(3rd picture under hybrid photos). The caption reads: "Electric Vehicle (EV) button." This is very exciting news and I wonder if it will be a plug-in hybrid with advanced batteries. It should give some hints as to what to expect for the 2009 Prius. The 2008 Highlander was recently introduced at the Chicago Auto Ahow and had the following caption from Toyota:

"The design of the all-new 2008 Toyota Highlander does more than evoke the future; with available Hybrid Synergy Drive®, your mileage is futuristic, too. The all-new 2008 Highlander Hybrid intelligently captures energy otherwise lost by coasting or braking to recharge the battery. Combined with a conventionally powered gas engine, the 2008 Highlander Hybrid will leave other SUVs in its low-emissions dust."

Also the hybrid drive system has been significantly upgraded (from Autoweek):

"The Highlander Hybrid also debuted with an upgraded hybrid drive system with net 270-hp, while retaining impressive fuel economy even with the new trucks extra 500-pounds of heft over the last version. All Hybrid models will feature standard full-time four-wheel drive, electronic brake and throttle control and electronically-controlled active steering. The Highlander Hybrid goes on sale in September and will be available in both Base and Limited trim levels."
[/b]

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kinghuang @ Feb 12 2007, 08:36 AM) [snapback]388894[/snapback]</div>

Isn't the 270 net hp the same as before? Still, the EV button is interesting!

ETA: I just listened to that brief press conference video segment on the site and the presenter specifically mentions the "first ever full EV mode."
[/b]

Yeah it is. It just gains 2hp since it's using the same setup (3MZ-FE 3.3 litre DOHC VVT-i V6 with HSD).

[usbseawolf2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Feb 12 2007, 01:14 PM) [snapback]388963[/snapback]</div>

Yeah it is. It just gains 2hp since it's using the same setup (3MZ-FE 3.3 litre DOHC VVT-i V6 with HSD).
[/b]

I wonder how the extra 500 lbs affect the performance. I think 0-60 time might remain about the same due to dual speed reduction planetary gearset.

Why did Toyota introduce the EV button with 08 HH now? Could it be that perhaps 09 model will have a trim with li-ion pluggable battery?

Dennis

[San_Carlos_Jeff]

Next to the EV button it also has an Econ button. I'm wondering what that is about. I guess it could change gear ratios, but with a CVT gear ratios should always be optimal. Maybe it's a manual cylinder deactivation?

[usbseawolf2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ Feb 12 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]389221[/snapback]</div>

Next to the EV button it also has an Econ button. I'm wondering what that is about. I guess it could change gear ratios, but with a CVT gear ratios should always be optimal. Maybe it's a manual cylinder deactivation?
[/b]

It may function the same as the Camry HSD, to make the AC and Heater less aggressive. After all, Highlander is Camry based SUV.

Dennis

[Tadashi]

Has anyone reported increasing their MPG using the EV button? Or is it still just a neat-o feature?

[dipper]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(San_Carlos_Jeff @ Feb 12 2007, 04:57 PM) [snapback]389221[/snapback]</div>

Next to the EV button it also has an Econ button. I'm wondering what that is about. I guess it could change gear ratios, but with a CVT gear ratios should always be optimal. Maybe it's a manual cylinder deactivation?
[/b]

Don't think Toyota has that cylinder deactivation technology. If they did, they would have put in most of their v6 and v8 (especially their 5.7L Tundra) to win the MPG hype from GM.

Edit: Oh, this button might be ECU reprogramming to have less aggressive acceleration, or limiting the RPM to save some gas.

[usbseawolf2000]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tadashi @ Feb 12 2007, 08:36 PM) [snapback]389239[/snapback]</div>

Has anyone reported increasing their MPG using the EV button? Or is it still just a neat-o feature?
[/b]

I live two lights away from one of the highway. When I take it to go to work, the EV button saved me idling in the morning (especially if I catch both red lights) until I get on the highway. It looks like I can achieve higher MPG for the first 5 min this way.

Dennis