If I was Lead Designer for the Prius, I would.....

j24816 · 05-24-2006, 08:25 PM

If you were lead designer for Prius what would you change? Keep the same?

My changes:
1) 'Normal' climate controls. Without Priuschat I never would have figured out how to adjust manually.(The users manual could use some work as well)

2)Include VCS in package #1...make it the safety package. Still irritated I would have to buy a bunch of features I don't want/need to get VCS.

3) Tie MFD MPG estimates to trip and cumulative odometers, keep the data display on MFD. This seems so obvious I don't know why it was not done.

4) Put in a coin holder like I had on my 00 Camry....my pet peeve!

Keeps?
Almost everything else....the foot emergency brake to free up storage space in center is great, I like the looks (a lot), etc., etc., etc.

ellisfam2 · 05-24-2006, 08:57 PM

I wouldn't use so much glossy plastic on the interior. It's really hard explaining to the guys why I have a swiffer in my car. I tell them my wife must have left it in there the last time I made her clean my car. (god i hope she won't see this)

I might also think about something other than spray paint to cover so much of the interior. My wife's Prius is an 06', much much better.

Other than that, it's perfect. Especially when I pull into my driveway with mpg at 60.1! (which just happened 15 minutes ago)

Bob Allen · 05-24-2006, 09:03 PM

For body style, the only change I'd make is to the grill openings. The upper and lower ones don't fit together very well. The '06 addition of a chrome horizontal piece does absolutely nothing, and in my opinion actually looks worse than having the grill all the same color. It would look better if the opening in the upper grill had a complimentary shape to the lower grill, and had the same sort of inset.

I love the teardrop shape.

Begreen · 05-24-2006, 10:49 PM

Continue to improve the drivetrain, moving to latest gen LIon battery technology and offer PHEV option. Then I'd dramatically improve rear visibility and handling. Next would be the lumbar support and adjustment options for the front seats, especially the driver's seat. I also agree about improving the climate controls. Make them analog like the Camry. I don't want to have to look at the MFD to adjust.

hdrygas · 05-24-2006, 10:54 PM

Buy out Eifler and put CAN View in every Prius with plug in that goes both ways. Charges the battery and /or acts as a generator for my house in emergencies. Can you imagine what it would have been like in the Gulf if even a quarter of the cars could have supplied 3KW of power? A whole lot less suffering.

Salsawonder · 05-24-2006, 10:56 PM

I would like improved climate controls, I would like to control the fan on the steering wheel more than the temp.

A little more protection from sun glare out with the MFD. In SoCal this is a problem.

I really love this car and can't imagine too much else but that is probably why I am a nurse and not an engineer or designer

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-24-2006, 11:00 PM

Keep most things exactly the way they are.

Extend the visor with a pull-out thingy that closes that gap in the upper courner of the side window.

hyo silver · 05-24-2006, 11:51 PM

Hey, lead designer sounds like fun. That way I could sit around and dream up wild ideas, while the rest of the team would somehow make it work. And I'd get paid the big bucks! Now I know I'm dreaming.

I'd go all out to stiffen the body structure wherever possible. Add an adjustable height suspension, for better handling and aerodynamics, with the ability to negotiate speed bumps when necessary. Better tires! I'd play around in the wind tunnel for awhile, making spoilers that change with speed and grille openings that change size to meet the cooling needs. Add a USB port on the vastly improved stereo, or better yet a net connection. Source or invent lighter, more powerful batteries and increase the capacity at the same time. Find some bright young engineer who won't know whether I'm joking and ask them to put some kind of magic coating, or maybe a slight electrostatic charge, on the windows so the water jumps right off, and ditch the wipers. Does anybody here remember those Citroens with the headlights that peeked around corners? Can we do that? But first, get rid of that speed governor!

I think I'm going to like this job. Thanks!

Prianista · 05-25-2006, 12:04 AM

Door locks that activate when the car is put in gear. (But that do not compromise your security by unlocking the moment you put it in park)

A button that allows the driver to unlock the rear hatch while still in the car.

Some way to know where your front bumper is without getting out of the car.

bsd43 · 05-25-2006, 12:26 AM

Seats that are comfortable for people >6' tall, with adjustable height, tilt angle, and lumbar.

05-24-2006, 11:51 PM	#8
hyo silver awaaay Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 7,244 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Base Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 30	Hey, lead designer sounds like fun. That way I could sit around and dream up wild ideas, while the rest of the team would somehow make it work. And I'd get paid the big bucks! Now I know I'm dreaming. I'd go all out to stiffen the body structure wherever possible. Add an adjustable height suspension, for better handling and aerodynamics, with the ability to negotiate speed bumps when necessary. Better tires! I'd play around in the wind tunnel for awhile, making spoilers that change with speed and grille openings that change size to meet the cooling needs. Add a USB port on the vastly improved stereo, or better yet a net connection. Source or invent lighter, more powerful batteries and increase the capacity at the same time. Find some bright young engineer who won't know whether I'm joking and ask them to put some kind of magic coating, or maybe a slight electrostatic charge, on the windows so the water jumps right off, and ditch the wipers. Does anybody here remember those Citroens with the headlights that peeked around corners? Can we do that? But first, get rid of that speed governor! I think I'm going to like this job. Thanks! __________________ My other high mileage, low emission vehicles are my bicycles and my shoes.

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05-24-2006, 08:25 PM	#1
j24816 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 141 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	If you were lead designer for Prius what would you change? Keep the same? My changes: 1) 'Normal' climate controls. Without Priuschat I never would have figured out how to adjust manually.(The users manual could use some work as well) 2)Include VCS in package #1...make it the safety package. Still irritated I would have to buy a bunch of features I don't want/need to get VCS. 3) Tie MFD MPG estimates to trip and cumulative odometers, keep the data display on MFD. This seems so obvious I don't know why it was not done. 4) Put in a coin holder like I had on my 00 Camry....my pet peeve! Keeps? Almost everything else....the foot emergency brake to free up storage space in center is great, I like the looks (a lot), etc., etc., etc. __________________ --John

05-24-2006, 08:57 PM	#2
ellisfam2 Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 9 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I wouldn't use so much glossy plastic on the interior. It's really hard explaining to the guys why I have a swiffer in my car. I tell them my wife must have left it in there the last time I made her clean my car. (god i hope she won't see this) I might also think about something other than spray paint to cover so much of the interior. My wife's Prius is an 06', much much better. Other than that, it's perfect. Especially when I pull into my driveway with mpg at 60.1! (which just happened 15 minutes ago)

05-24-2006, 09:03 PM	#3
Bob Allen Captainbaba Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 1,254 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	For body style, the only change I'd make is to the grill openings. The upper and lower ones don't fit together very well. The '06 addition of a chrome horizontal piece does absolutely nothing, and in my opinion actually looks worse than having the grill all the same color. It would look better if the opening in the upper grill had a complimentary shape to the lower grill, and had the same sort of inset. I love the teardrop shape.

05-24-2006, 10:49 PM	#4
Begreen Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Western WA state Posts: 625 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Continue to improve the drivetrain, moving to latest gen LIon battery technology and offer PHEV option. Then I'd dramatically improve rear visibility and handling. Next would be the lumbar support and adjustment options for the front seats, especially the driver's seat. I also agree about improving the climate controls. Make them analog like the Camry. I don't want to have to look at the MFD to adjust.

05-24-2006, 10:54 PM	#5
hdrygas Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Olympia Wa Posts: 3,650 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Buy out Eifler and put CAN View in every Prius with plug in that goes both ways. Charges the battery and /or acts as a generator for my house in emergencies. Can you imagine what it would have been like in the Gulf if even a quarter of the cars could have supplied 3KW of power? A whole lot less suffering.

05-24-2006, 10:56 PM	#6
Salsawonder Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: La Mesa California Posts: 1,296 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I would like improved climate controls, I would like to control the fan on the steering wheel more than the temp. A little more protection from sun glare out with the MFD. In SoCal this is a problem. I really love this car and can't imagine too much else but that is probably why I am a nurse and not an engineer or designer

05-24-2006, 11:00 PM	#7
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 8,341 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 15	Keep most things exactly the way they are. Extend the visor with a pull-out thingy that closes that gap in the upper courner of the side window.

05-25-2006, 12:04 AM	#9
Prianista Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 173 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Door locks that activate when the car is put in gear. (But that do not compromise your security by unlocking the moment you put it in park) A button that allows the driver to unlock the rear hatch while still in the car. Some way to know where your front bumper is without getting out of the car.

05-25-2006, 12:26 AM	#10
bsd43 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 105 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Seats that are comfortable for people >6' tall, with adjustable height, tilt angle, and lumbar.