Toyota’s new Prius model to get record 40 km per liter

Exactly. After awhile (now), people look at the entire car, and its cost.

 

As you can see, because the Prius is already so efficient, Toyota is "up against the wall" trying to improve it. You have to ignore the "savings" and concentrate on the "better" figure.

Current oil prices dropped, not because of "shale oil", but because the Saudi's caused it to drop. Exactly why they did that is up for debate, but I'm guessing they were asked to by the US to punish the Russians, and they agreed because they also wanted to punish Iran and others, who are a different flavor of religion, and were becoming "uppity".

And after posting this I'm probably on some list.

 

That is an unusual perspective. Saudi Arabia did not increase production, they refused to produce less.
I thought the reasoning was sound: if they reduced output, the shale producers would ramp up.

 

If they weren't before, they are now:
Fuel Fix » Saudi oil output rising amid fight for market share

 

they were claiming 20% weight reduction in Gen4 with TNGA platform. According to EPA study that alone should account for 8% MPG gain (more so if engine downsized to match performance). There were also reports of increased thermal efficiency to 42% (from current 38%). That does not account for improvements to electrical components, battery, etc.

Question is if Toyota can actually deliver it.

 

I guess they didn't see the result they wanted and keep pushing reset button.

Too bad they don't realize that the ship already sailed. They are not the piper anymore, they will have to learn how to dance.

 

Can't wait for the reveal. One 8% improvement and maybe another 4% improvement from the thermal efficiency = 12%. But maybe -2% for better design and less drag coefficient? Anywho, I want it to be 60 mpg and therefore a 20% increase, wouldn't that be rad?

8% MPG gain from lighter weight
4% MPG gain from thermal efficiency
1% for improved drag performance
2% for better batteries, lighter
2% better overall from a more efficient system
then there's 3% missing

 

can they improve drag while going more mainstream in looks?

 

will thy design to the test, and then disappoint on the road?

 

38% to 42% is 11% increase

 

pleather?

 

ah, thanks.

 

Here is why Toyota targets 40km/L:
Mazda to offer diesel-electric hybrid from 2016 – report

 

currently developing...

 

so is Gen4.

On side note looks like Mazda is serious about small oil burner, CX-3 will be sold in Japan as diesel only. And they have designed knock reducing piston pins, available as option.

Mazda still promises to bring diesel to US, but 2.2D used in CX-5 and Mazda 3 and 5 overseas got delayed several times due to performance issues. There is assumption that if they bring diesel to US it will be big 2.2 as a step up for 6/3/CX-5/etc, but perhaps 1.5 in Mazda2 will be certified first? Would make sense if they plan to bring diesel/electric hybrid to US.

 

yes, but at least toyota has 15 years of experience to work with.

 

just to be clear: Mazda hybrid system is licensed Toyota HSD. What differentiates it that they probably won't get access to Gen4 improvements, while they enjoy benefits of ICE's better thermal efficiency.

 

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