| | |
Toyota Prius Online Community with News, Forums, & Research
|
By Presto at 11/20/2008 - 3:25pm
| Quote: |
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A clean-burning diesel sedan, Volkswagen AG's Jetta TDI, won the "Green Car of the Year" award at the Los Angeles auto show on Thursday, the first time a diesel-powered car has taken the industry's top environmental honor....
| Link to full article...
It doesn't mention what car show and whether the Prius was part of the competition. Perhaps someone can shed more light on what this award actually is.
| | |
| |
The Lexus RX, the brand's most popular crossover, has inherited a brand-new cloak, unveiled for the first time at the Los Angeles Auto Show. But the few touch-ups still lend the vehicle an air of déjà vu.
Its line is similar to the current one, with the few extra millimetres in length benefiting the wheelbase. The hood, in the image of the IS for example, is a tad more stretched out, and the light clusters, both front and back, are completely redesigned and more prominent.
Full Article
"A different type of battery is also installed in the RX." | | |
By Danny at 11/19/2008 - 2:13pm
| Toyota Displays Hybrid Synergy Drive® Versatility With CNG-Powered Camry Hybrid Concept At 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show
11/19/2008
November 19, 2008 - Los Angeles, CA - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today highlighted the versatility of its Hybrid Synergy Drive® system by showing a compressed natural gas (CNG) Camry Hybrid concept vehicle at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.
"In the near future, growing demand for liquid petroleum simply and effectively will exceed supply," said Chris Hostetter, group vice president, TMS Advanced Product Strategy. "Before that occurs, automakers must look to vehicles powered by alternative fuels. We believe CNG will be one of those alternatives."
The current CNG benefits are amplified by rapidly changing market conditions and an increase in consumer environmental awareness. As a transport fuel, natural gas is a clean and safe gasoline alternative. It can potentially reduce U.S. dependency on foreign oil and reduce vehicle operating costs. Currently more than 99 percent of natural gas used in the U.S. comes from domestic & other North American sources. Proven worldwide natural gas reserves are estimated to last until 2100 and have the potential to last until 2200 through improved advanced production methods.
Natural gas also produces lower particulate emissions, nitrous oxide (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2) and non-methane organic gases (NMOG), and less CO2 per unit of energy when compared with gasoline. In addition, it has a higher flash point (ignition temperature) than gasoline, can run at a higher compression ratio and is quickly dispersed into the atmosphere, should a leak occur.
The CNG Camry Hybrid concept was designed by the TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, Calif. To convert the stock Camry Hybrid to a CNG vehicle, the gasoline fuel system was replaced with a CNG system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area.
The exterior of the vehicle also received some sporty concept' touches. A sleek custom front fascia and front bumper cover eliminate the grill opening, while a custom rear bumper covers the tail pipe and visible exhaust system. The vehicle is fitted with 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza 225/35ZR19 run-flat tires to accommodate the lack of a spare tire. The overall ride height is lowered while new side body skirts and "Compressed Natural Gas Hybrid" graphics complete the unique look.
In 1999, Toyota marketed a CNG-powered four-cylinder Camry to fleet customers in California. Due to relatively low gasoline costs at that time, customers were not attracted to a vehicle that required special refueling techniques and a limited refueling infrastructure. The program was discontinued a year later. Today there are less than 1,000 CNG refueling stations nationwide, with less than half open to the public.
"Toyota believes CNG has huge potential, both in the U.S. and globally," said Hostetter, "but CNG is just one of the many alternative fuels we're exploring in our ongoing advanced technology research and development."
TOYOTA CNG CAMRY HYBRID CONCEPT
PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS
POWERTRAIN
2.4 liter, 4-cylinder engine with Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive®
Gasoline fuel system replaced with CNG system
ESTIMATED FUEL ECONOMY (mpg)
City/Highway/Combined = 32/34/33
(Gasoline Camry Hybrid = 33/34/34)
NET HORSEPOWER (Engine + Electric Motor + Generator + Power Storage)
170 hp
CNG SYSTEM
Two (2) Lincoln composite Type 4 tanks - plastic liner with carbon fiber wrapped exterior
Tanks installed in spare tire well area
Maximum 3,600 psi
CAPACITY
Proposed 8 gallon gasoline equivalent
RANGE
250+ miles
DIMENSIONS (inches)
Overall Length: 191.2
Overall Width: 71.7
Overall Height: 57.5
Wheelbase: 109.3
Wheel Size: 19 x 7.5 alloy wheels
Additional photos over on Toyota's Flickr page: 2008 L.A. Auto Show: Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept - a set on Flickr | | |
| | |
The new Nissan Cube has been revealed today and I have posted a lot of photos, as well as the official press release in my blog (japanesegreencars in blogspot)
| | |
| | Well folks, I was contacted via my site by Bossdowner who shared with us 5 photos of the new Prius a short time ago.
He says that he is blown away by the hundreds of pages devoted to his pictures. I'll say that he finds it funny how Toyota is almost laughing at how they are getting a lot of free publicity from their 'planned' leak pictures that they continue to post.
He shares similar feelings with me that these 'teaser' photos Toyota keeps putting out are somewhat ridiculous, especially when for many of us this really isn't a game. With the current economy purchasing a new car is a major decision and as potential buyers we should be shown real facts or simply made to wait, not teased.
He does want everyone to know that he never was and still is not in this for any money. He never made money by releasing the photos nor does he intend to in the future. He says he released the photos here first because of the sincerity of the members here on PriusChat. That says a lot folks.
Anyways everyone, he gave a me a link to share where he has made up his own 'commercial' for the 2010 Prius on a site he has that he admits doesn't really work quite well and not many people go to lol. He says he just uses it to stream off the wall content and movie clips. He wants us to have fun viewing his homemade commercial and enjoy the music he chose which is from "something's coming" from Bernstein’s "west side story." Also, he says there's a second little commercial featuring "my favorite things" played by Dave Brubeck.
I'll say I watched the commercial and I thought the music worked for the commercial haha. The pictures ( in the 2010 prius video)are some of what we have seen already but many are new like 2 new photos of the steering wheel (right hand side) and a partial passenger side view but not from an angle. Look for the 2010 Prius link on the left... So as Bossdowner told me, Enjoy!
UPDATE - At first there wasn't a link to 2010 Toyota Prius favorite thing on the left but now there is. Watch the video and be amazed everyone! The photos in this commercial will impress quite a few if not all of us.
http://www.bossdownerscinemaobscura.com/
Videos are also now on YouTube due to issues with the original site:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0j816jD4FI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2njVnpjYL8Y
Here's my crude attempt at sharing a few stills from Bossdowners commercial. You have to see the commercial to appreciate the color screen that will be in the dash but I love how the 'mode' screen for the battery/engine etc will be up there like that. Bossdowner, you rock! lol
 | | |
| |
It was reported in the Chinese press, and because of that it must be taken with a block of saltlick. 
Chinese May Buy GM and Chrysler | The Truth About Cars
Like Jim Cramer says, "which sovereign wealth funds? Communist or terrorist? I guess we'll take any because we're so desperate." 
Would they even bother trying to utilize GM's 2-Mode hybrid stuff or the Volt, I wonder.
| | |
By Danny at 11/17/2008 - 12:18pm
| 
This week's teaser image has been posted over on POG (PriusOwnersGroup), along with the following message:
Quote: |
For those of you who always thought the Prius was cool, we guarantee the new one will be even cooler.
| Anyone else think the A/C button pretty much confirms the solar panel roof A/C system? Can you think of anything else it might be?
The next generation Prius : the Prius owners group | | |
| |
WENATCHEE — Thirteen ordinary Toyota Prius hybrids drove into the Wenatchee Valley College auto shop early last week.
They drove out with even better gas mileage, a direct link to the feds and the hopes of many for a future less dependent on fossil fuels.
| | |
| |
|
