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4th generation coming 2015!

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by edmcohen, Nov 6, 2012.

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  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The notion of All Wheel Drive leaves me kinda blank. Isn't that going to increase weight, maintenance and (shudder) decrease mpg.
     
  2. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Not the way I read it. The Toyota source says the rear-assist will be electric-drive. The whole car is shedding 150 lbs. Part of that may be integrating motor-generators into the rear wheels for both regenerative braking and traction. The engine and motor-generators are getting smaller too (without losing power) according to the article.
     
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  3. scripto

    scripto Junior Member

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    As someone who has considered buying a Subaru now instead of waiting for the gen 4 (apples and oranges I know), having AWD as an option would convince me to buy the Prius. I know the Prius will never be an off-road vehicle, but it would be nice to have more confidence on slippery surfaces, as long as it doesn't hurt mpg by more than ~5%.
    Also on my wishlist for the gen 4: 55 mpg hwy, due in part to lower frontal surface area, aka "sportier" profile. Also driver-centered, customizable lcd displays.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's kinda crazy to have to beg for driver centered instruments... Between that and the plastic wheel covers over alloy rims, methinks Toyota marches to another drummer in some regards.
     
  5. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    I live in Buffalo NY. I've never felt a strong need for AWD, but its flat around here. I have noticed a fare share of AWD vehicles in the ditch on that first snow. AWD helps you get going (confidence), but all cars have all wheel brakes.
     
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  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Nope, not with electric AWD. It'll increase weight, yes, but not to the extent of a "regular" AWD. There's the weight of the rear electric motor and some cables which I think should be lighter than a rear differential and centre driveshaft.

    There shouldn't be any more maintenance and, contrary to thinking, electric AWD will increase mpg due to having an extra motor-generator putting more juice back into the battery. If memory serves me right, the RXh AWD got 1mpg better than the RXh FWD and they stopped selling the FWD model.
     
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  7. mozdzen

    mozdzen Active Member

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    smart key everywhere with customization means that the user can select which doors respond to the smart key.
    90 miles promised must be mpge. I was referring to pure gasoline mpg.
    Inside rattles tend to develop over time. Some poor buyers get the rattles within weeks - others within a few yrs.
     
  8. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    Power to weight is better than battery, capacity to weight is the real problem. But since supercap can give you all 100% of rated capacity, and Prius Ni-Mh can give you only 40%, you could get away with only 300 Wh of capacity in normal non plug-in hybrid.

    There was an interview with Pascal Vasselon (TMG Technical Director), he was optimistic about supercap in road car, but possible time frame to put this in production was way off for gen4 prius.
     
  9. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I should have said "energy density" instead of power to weight ratio.
     
  10. heyphillip

    heyphillip Member

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    I know it's not released until the end of 2015 but normally there are leaked pictures of what it will look like
     
  11. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    No, the pics out there are artist renderings (aka speculation) or test mules with cladding/wrap on them.
     
  12. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    This is a great thread to start. Thanks.

    As spy photos and new (believable) artist renderings leak onto the net, let's post them here in this thread.
     
  13. Ashlem

    Ashlem Senior Member

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    There's been some links to artist conceptions in that big thread about the 4th gen prius. From what I can surmise it's not going to change too radically design-wise from the gen 3, at least on the outside, though they may soften the doorknob wedge back end a little.

    Aren't test mules are usually somewhat in the rough shape of what the final design is going to be like? After all, the engineers need the data from it to learn what works and what areas may need some improvements. Unless they're just testing specific components of the vehicle, in this case the hybrid drive system.
     
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Sometimes but not always. If it's aerodynamics, they can test the body indoors, away from prying eyes. Plus camouflaged mules will have elements designed to disguise the shape of the body - pieces of cardboard or styrofoam to make the body wider, the hood taller, the front or back squarer/rounder etc. A swirly one is usually body wrapped and closer to the shape of the body than one covered in cardboard. Also, unless it's a near production prototype, it'll sometimes be another body shoved onto the platform. You don't want a camouflaged prototype on public roads in case it gets into a collision. A substitute body is cheaper (e.g. a shortened Legacy body on the FR-S/BR-Z mule).

    Take the spy shots for the 3rd generation 2010 Prius for example:

    [​IMG]
    Or
    [​IMG]

    It's not as heavily camouflaged as the Gen 4 ones we've seen (it's wearing production wheels in the correct colour for example) but you can see that they squared off the rear bumpers, they're using a UK-spec rear wiper assembly and visually shrunk the rear quarter window and in the front, they tried to distract the eyes by making the centre material black in colour , the headlights look thinner and bulged the fenders out a bit
     
  15. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    I don't expect spy shots until 2015 unfortunately. Perhaps late Dec.

    I suspect Toyota has the final production design with tweaks, it's going in production next year. But they want to milk the 4th quarter all they can without distraction.

    Surprisingly, not many people know too much about the 4th gen. Not even the dealership. Perfect scenario before a change of strategy by Toyota marketing. They are milking it....

    I wish they would just drop the price of the Gen III, then they would have better publicity and better market. I think the Gen III is almost irrelevant now in terms of hybrid. It's just not cool or the latest or greatest anymore...haven't been for over a year.
     
  16. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I actually drove a new Gen IV 2015 Full Size Prius a week ago. Found it at Fred Haas Toyota in Houston. Looks almost identical to the 2013 I own now. The car I drove was a model 4. Has the leather interior. JBL Sound System. Heated Seats. Auto Headlights, Auto Mirror, 6 Way Drivers Seat with Lumbar Support.

    Very nice Prius. Sticker Price - Under $30K

    IMO, the new Gen IV 2015 Full Size Prius did NOT change that much. Don't let the hype fool you. If you have a good working Prius, stick with it. If you are driving a Gen II that has a lot of miles, then consider a late model Gen III, or even a NEW Gen IV. Either way you will be happy. Remember Gen III and above only has the back up camera if you get at least a Model 3.

    Almost bought it, but for now am sticking with my 2013.

    Currently on vacation. At the LaQuinta in Grand Junction, CO sitting in the lobby as I type.

    Went over Monarch Pass yesterday heading west. 11,2XX feet elevation. Prius handled it well going up. After 9,500 feet altitude I had the cruise set on 35 MPH, then dropped it to 30 at 10,200 to make it to the top. Was in Full Power Zone the entire time going up. Prius is well loaded with a lot of weight. Back seats down and so forth. Could have driven faster, but just did not want to risk damaging anything. Stayed in the right hand lane with the trucks and enjoyed the scenery. Going down the other side used B Mode, traction battery still filled up and the engine kicked in doing it's usual routine of acting like a engine brake while bleeding off the excess electricity.

    Travelled 376.4 miles on this tank. All mountain driving using Cruise Control set at 55 MPH. Slowed to 50 going up most hills. Only dropped back lower when going over the Intercontinental Divide. Computer calculates this tank going through the mountains at 57.4 MPG. That is incredible when you consider where the Prius was taken and the altitudes it was driven at. Ended the journey last night with 4 pips on the gage. Will fill up this morning, but I believe the actual MPG on this tank will be well over 50 MPG. Computer always shows 2 to 3 MPG higher, but when you consider the pips on the gage, I am figuring the computer's calculations to be pretty much normal and spot on.

    I am thoroughly impressed with the Toyota Prius. IMO it is still the best car on the planet. I will post photographs of the trip when I get back home from vacation.

    Peace Everyone,
    Ron
     
    #3096 dorunron, Oct 24, 2014
    Last edited: Oct 24, 2014
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  17. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Please do post photos....Because I really don't think there is such thing as a Gen IV 2015 model? You sure it wasn't the persona series which sports a slightly new look?

    now your MPG states otherwise. But again, lots won't have it - it's not even in production yet
     
  18. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    @dorunron , 2015 is not a 4th Gen Prius, it's still a 3rd Gen Prius.
     
  19. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    When I get back home I will visit the dealer again with my camera in hand. I will take a picture of the window sticker and the car just for you.

    Trust me dude, there is not a big difference. And NO, it was NOT a Personna I looked at. I know the Prius very well.

    Peace,
    Ron

    If that is the case, just when is the Gen IV coming out? I heard 2015 models...

    Ron
     
  20. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    It's still unknown as Toyota has said nothing officially. 2015, 2016 etc were and still remain rumors. It's expected to be a 2016 though since by then the 3rd gen would have ran 6 model years like the gen 2. It's being reported by news sources that the 4th gen has also been delayed 6 months.

    Toyota's website has the 2015 Prius page up as well and it's a Gen 3: Hybrid Cars | Toyota Prius 2015
     
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