Sneak Peek of the New Prius #10

[Prius Team]

Since we heard a few of you thought that recent weeks' photos were too easy, here's one we think will keep you all busy for quite a while.

[Danny]

Must...have.... higher....resolution....

[john1701a]

Oh! The agony. Can't see squat in such a tiny photo...

Yup, that will keep us busy.

.

[morpheusx]

I would love to see another photo or two with a more above shot (hopefully to reveal the engine displacement). Also all the notable specs.

[9G-man]

I see a new smaller inverter housing. The intake resonator is on top of the intake air duct. The intake duct seems to be longer, going across, up and over the airfilter/throttlebody. Along with that, I see what looks like a wider ICE valve cover ,ie; rumored 1.8L.
And a new plastic engine cover to protect the ignition and F.I. from dirt/moisture

Inverter coolant has gotten a new resevoir. And brake fluid has been moved to the far right.

The airfilter housing is smaller and the filter should now be the same as size as the housing, with intake air flowing directly from the top-down , into the throttlebody opening from above. Instead of the up-over-and-down flow, through a large housing, it has now.

In the current Prius, the air filter housing and Inverter housing lid are the two most prominent things under the hood. In this new picture it seems those have been reduced in size and the new plastic engine cover is now exposed and prominent.

[V8Cobrakid]

anyone in that sneak peak team have a camera over 2mp? can i see some 6mp to 8mp pics please?

[Rokeby]

The photo appears to be taken looking into the engine bay from the front.

Is would appear that the new smaller, lighter HSD has the ICE and
inverter/electronics package rotated 90 degrees.

Is this possible/probable?

[TonyPSchaefer]

It's extremely pixelized, but here's the picture at 400%.

Here's a picture for comparison from Joe's Diner:

[Rokeby]

Here;s a pix of the 2008 arrangement for comparison -- strut tower brace
optional:

http://priuschat.com/forums/attachme...1&d=1228761793

[bwilson4web]

Just some wild guesses and wishful thinking:

• improved engine heat management - radiant cooling reflector now reduces radiant cooling. Both engine and transaxle cooling has moved aggressively towards convective cooling under computer control for better cold weather performance and avoiding hot weather thermal management issues. Ultimate goal, elimination of the coolant bottle in the North American models and making this technology available worldwide.
• improved inverter cooling - less costly affixed cooling loop instead of expensive machined parts. Cost savings along with improved electronics. Batteries may be lower voltage and motors higher voltage. Improved inverter voltage-current profiles to reduce dI/dt spikes and moving the ICE no-rpm range to a higher speed range due to PSD and gearing changes.
• cooled exhaust induction - provides a way to use cooled exhaust to reduce combustion temperatures and NO(x). Allows longer expansion ratio for improved engine efficiency. This is the large pipe behind the air cleaner as you can still see the fresh air intake in the lower left part of photo. In cold weather, the exhaust heat accelerates block warm-up.
• throttle assembly is missing - due to the new piping and tubing at the front of the air cleaner assembly. This maybe the long awaited, totally valve timing controlled 1.8 L. engine. If so, the thermal dynamic efficiency will take another major step leaving the 'honorable competition' gas engines behind and putting the diesels up against their worst fears ... equivalent BSFC in an ICE that weights significantly less with better emission characteristics.
• electric driven water pump - the left side of the photo has too much 'stuff' there suggesting the last belt, gone. This is also needed for engine thermal management if the coolant bottle is going away. My "x-ray" eyes suggest the AC compressor has a dual-function.
• engine and HV ECU - the black cover on the left side, front. It could be a fuse block but that would be dumb. This shortens the wiring harness and stops routing them through the cabin firewall.
• elimination of silent chain - although perfectly fine in the lower power applications, my "x-ray" eyes say the transaxle is all gears. The transaxle oil pump is also MG2 driven and there appears to be a lock-up at speeds above 90 kph. Some movement towards oil galleries to reduce immersion losses. This is the 'dry' transaxle that uses transaxle oil only where needed for cooling and lubrication and otherwise eliminates air bubbles in the oil.

Remember this is silly, idle speculation. Any of these 'wild ass guesses,' would be a significant advance leaving a lot of vehicles behind. Best of all, they incorporate many cost savings that could deliver a significant price-performance advantage. However, I would expect the average MPG to exceed 50 MPG without using, licensed, open-source defined, plug-in interface.

Available from 3d parties, the following open-source interfaces and options:

• plug-in battery systems - 3d parties can offer anything they want provided it complies with the Toyota licensed interface standard.
• plug-in GPS, blue-tooth, and iPod - tired of all of the whining and complaints, Toyota licensed the interface to 3d parties.

Intelligent oil practices:

• pressure and sensor driven engine oil change indicator
• early 5-10,000 mile transaxle oil change followed by 100k intervals

Bob Wilson