Sneak Peek of the New Prius #5 - B mode confirmed

[efusco]

Originally Posted by Ichabod

In the pictures there's a round button above and right of the shifter. I'm guessing that's park... could be "power" but I would guess they'd leave that on the dash near the key slot, and "park" next to the selector lever.

I'm pretty sure that's the hazard light button...looks redish with a triangle in the middle to me.

[EtN]

Originally Posted by efusco

I'm pretty sure that's the hazard light button...looks redish with a triangle in the middle to me.

Yep, it looks like an hazard switch to me too. The "P" button will most probably be square with an LED on it, like the current one.

EtN

[randreed]

I'd rather have buttons for D, R, B, N, and P, instead of a "shift knob, but then again I used to drive an old Dodge with a pushbutton transmission too.

[nyty-nyt]

Is it a big deal that the B mode is on this stick?
I live in an area with no hills to use it, and if it doesn't allow extra regeneration when, say, a light surprises you and changes earlier than thought, and you can use B to slow down more dramatically, and charge the battery more dramatically, I see no real benefit in "saving some brake pads".
In shore, I could do without this annoying feature.

[efusco]

Originally Posted by nyty-nyt

Is it a big deal that the B mode is on this stick?
I live in an area with no hills to use it, and if it doesn't allow extra regeneration when, say, a light surprises you and changes earlier than thought, and you can use B to slow down more dramatically, and charge the battery more dramatically, I see no real benefit in "saving some brake pads".
In shore, I could do without this annoying feature.

No it's not a big deal, but I think it's something that we wondered if they would remove or not. I think most of us agree that it's more or less an unnecessary feature, but I believe there is something making sort of required...but can't recall the details as to why.

[Jedi2155]

I love the use of a B mode as it allows greater regeneration than without.

[spwolf]

Originally Posted by xsmatt81

really hope that shifter doesn't glow blue

it wont, but i wished it did... it would look cool.

[San_Carlos_Jeff]

Originally Posted by Jedi2155

I love the use of a B mode as it allows greater regeneration than without.

My understanding of B is exactly the opposite.

[Rybold]

Originally Posted by efusco

I think an LED glow would be pretty annoying...but the blue is cool looking.

Did you ever take physics in high school or college? Remember "ROY G. BIV," and that red is the lowest energy wavelength and that blue/violet is the highest energy wavelength, just below "ultra violet" ? Am I bringing back memories? Red and orange are good colors for lights in car interiors. Blue is not.

Here's an experiment for you: at night, turn the lights off in your house. Go into a room with a red digital clock and notice how little it illuminates it's surroundings. Now, walk into a room with a blue digital clock and notice how it lights up the whole room.
For this reason, BMW from day one and still today, only uses orange lights. Google "BMW dash lights" and you will see that everything is orange. http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i155/HedsIc/SAVE.jpg When I get in a Toyota and turn the white dash lights all the way up, I have to squint ... and then I can't see the road as well. Here's an example of a man who DIED because of the blinding glare: http://newsbiscuit.com/board/28/92/2...CLAIM-ANO.html

Originally Posted by nyty-nyt

when, say, a light surprises you and changes earlier than thought, and you can use B to slow down more dramatically, and charge the battery more dramatically.

I definitely see the benefit of "B." In my Corolla, when say 40 car lengths from a red stop light, I will have my car either in Neutral or with the engine coupled to the transmission (engine braking), and I choose one or the other based on my prediction of when the light will change. If I think I'm going the right velocity, then I'll leave it in neutral. If I'm going a little too fast, then I'll use slight engine braking. Having a regen option instead of the engine braking would be great. Having a "neutral" option is clearly more efficient, with consideration to the second law of thermodynamics. To store and reuse your kinetic energy is less efficient than to plan ahead and not have to slow down in the first place.

.

[Ichabod]

Time to bust out the old "B-Mode Explanation" page by Hobbit.