Sneak Peek of the New Prius #9

[bestmapman]

Originally Posted by jprates

WOW, you Europeans get all the good stuff. EV button, auto park and headlight adjustment. I am jealous.

[Mormegil]

I would assume "Eco mode" is the default, and basically what we have now.


I agree EV is great for moving the car around the garage, which is I why I got that EV modification. I have tandem parking, and don't want to turn on the ICE for 15 seconds each morning, while my wie pulls her car out.

[jprates]

Originally Posted by spwolf

sport is featured in toyota crown hybrid - it spends more electricity for acceleration, and regenerates more aggresivly from ICE.. eco does the opposite and lower A/C.

Ahhh... many thanks for the insight!

If that's the case on the Crown, I'm betting they'll do the same on the Prius.

[jprates]

Originally Posted by bestmapman

WOW, you Europeans get all the good stuff. EV button, auto park and headlight adjustment. I am jealous.

Don't be, we have to pay a lot for it.

My 2006 Prius cost me 35540 EUR, that's about 45500 USD at current exchange rates. You guys can get it at less than half the price, and you don't loose half the equipment... so guess who's jealous...

[zenMachine]

I wonder how many PC'ers will forgo the new Eco mode because the button is put in that center console location...

[mr_zorg]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

You say that this one was easy but I have yet to see the answer written out: if the first is EV as you say, what exactly are the differences between ECO and POWER modes? When would I use one over the other and why?

My guess is that ECO mode could alter the acceleration characteristics to maximize MPG, but with the downside of being rather pokey. In POWER mode it could be more brisk (as it is now) but get much worse mileage. I notice under heavy acceleration now the readout says between 6 - 10 MPG (icky!). If that's what this is, I like the sound of it. But I would have to believe that no matter what your mode, flooring it would provide full acceleration for emergency maneuvers. You wouldn't want to have to hit a switch first before trying to avoid an accident.

[jprates]

Originally Posted by zenMachine

I wonder how many PC'ers will forgo the new Eco mode because the button is put in that center console location...

That would be the dumbest thing to do IMHO...

[DeadPhish]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

You're right about the ICE and it occurred to me only now that you point it out.

You say that this one was easy but I have yet to see the answer written out: if the first is EV as you say, what exactly are the differences between ECO and POWER modes? When would I use one over the other and why?

Again if you use the HH as the guide it has both the an ECON and an EV button.

• The ECON mode can be engaged at any time at any speed. Essentially it tunes down the ICE to spin only at a very efficient 'cruising' rate...but it has no guts whatsoever. It probably saves ~5% overall.
• When you disengage the ECON button then the normal HSD system is put into use with plenty of power for passing and accelerating.
• The EV button on the HH can be used for pure EV driving at speeds up to about 20 mph at which speed it kicks off automatically reverting to normal HSD driving. The limitation is that the EV button cannot be used until the battery is near or fully charged. It can't be used on a cold morning at first start up.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Normal Mode?

Power Mode is interesting. I believe this is the first time in any HSD hybrids.

LS600h L




This basically takes the Highlander Hybrid's "Eco Mode" and the LSh's PWR mode and combine them. Nice to know that I can drive it like a sports car on days that I feel like it and drive it in Eco Mode on all other days!


One thing I do hope is that Toyota hasn't taken away their attention to detail such as the damped overhead assist grips or the switch on the cargo light or the damped cupholder lid.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

You're right about the ICE and it occurred to me only now that you point it out.

You say that this one was easy but I have yet to see the answer written out: if the first is EV as you say, what exactly are the differences between ECO and POWER modes? When would I use one over the other and why?

It'll be similar to the PWR button on automatic transmissions back in the mid 90s. They changed the gear ratios so that the automatic transmission would hold the gear longer and shift later.

With the Prius, I suspect the engine will rev up higher and provide more power, quicker than normal. In Eco Mode, it could retard the engine and make it less responsive and focus on saving fuel.

Now we probably won't leave it in Eco Mode all the time since there will be times when you want it to drive "normally". I also presume they'll be a cancel feature if you're in Eco Mode and need to accelerate quickly to get out of a situation.


Lastly, we're assuming it's the engine. It could also be the climate control too (even though the TCH uses ECO HEAT/COOL instead)