HDD based Navi and Music

I know this is likely to wind some of our US friends up, but as we are getting the hard disk based Navi & Music store in Europe, I thought I would ask away. I'm presuming here that this option is available in Japan - and presumably therefore some Japanese customers must have cars equipped with this option.

So my questions are -

1. Can you update the Nav more often as its hard disk based?

2. Does the Nav have any advantages over a DVD based system?

3. How do you store music onto the system? I'm assuming you put a CD into the player and then it can be ripped? If so, how do you enter metadata like artist / LP etc as I assume the system wont have access to the internet to look it up.

4. Can you upload music from a USB stick?

Thanks

I've been wondering about this a bit too, though a photo Prius-PT.com posted of what's behind the display (linked below) implies that it uses a stored Gracenote database for figuring out track names and that it can play both MP3 and WMA (probably at least from burned CDs).

The exact purpose of the mini Firewire connector shown is still something I'm a little unsure of, and although it could be a way to copy music to the drive, I wouldn't be surprised if it's there as a more of a service port for Toyota to use than much else.

h**p://prius-pt.com/cafe/forums/p/1455/7891.aspx#7972
(sorry for the asterisks/working around the 5 post requirement, there wasn't another way to link to it)

Another thing I'm still unsure about is the degree to which we're going to see iPod/iPhone/USB support here, as the Americans appear to have iPod/iPhone support as an option at launch, but with more complete USB support coming later in the year.

I'll let you know when mine turns up on 31st July :fear:

LOL, now that's a statement!

I'd say more - and it's been killing me not being able to say anything since last week!

I'm gonna regret this and say: TSpirit, Abyss Grey, Aqua Interior, 01.08.09

Don't ask!!!!

Are you going for leather as well?

Considering it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to get to the UK by ship from Japan (dodging the pirates off Somalia!) they must be building the first batch of UK cars in the coming few weeks.

Nah - I just can't justify the £1,400 cost, plus it's cold on the bum in the winter months

The fabric interior of my 56Reg has been very good - so I thought why change?

I got confirmation of my new car yesterday.....Tasman Blue (8T5)/Aqua Interior I-tech (our top model in OZ).
Comes off the production line 15/6/09; arrives at port (here in Queensland, Australia) 1/7/09. That's 16 days from built to destination.

Then I have to wait another 2 weeks until release here!!!!!

You lucky thing..... I am hoping to get my T-Spirit for 1st March next year when my A3 will have it's 3rd birthday :cheer2:

BTW did you just order the HDD music system without knowing how much extra it was, or does your dealer state that it is standard on the T-Spirit?

I will also be interested to know how much they are going to charge for the LED headlights if they are available seperately

I'm led to believe that LED headlights and HDD Nav & Music come as standard on the UK TSpirit model (despite what the website says!) LOL. I'm so trusting

UPDATE: Following answer from Mark Johnson, UK product manager for the Prius:

"The singular difference between the T4 and T Spirit grades is that the T Spirit has HDD Navi as standard. This includes Intelligent Parking Assist, rear camera, Navi and music “Jukebox!” (Allcome together as one item of spec.)"

I hope that helps!

Hmmm that sounds very intersting and makes the T-Spirt sound well worth the extra £1200 over the price of the T4.

My colour choice is either going to be Pure White, Pearl White or Tyrol Silver. I love the Abyss Grey, but my current car is very similar in colour.

Gagging to get hold of a full UK spec list

No mention of the adaptive cruise control (ACC). I wonder if we'll get that.

Checking back to the Toyota blog it seems the order book for UK 2010 cars opened on the 1st June (i.e. Monday).

I take it it's just me wondering why Toyota decided that a bottomless pit with less than lovely connotations, was a better name for that colour for its European customers than "Winter Grey" .

Which blog is that - I looked on the Toyota UK news, reviews, video and pictures | Today Tomorrow Blog site but couldn't see the bit about the order book opening on 1st of July (although this is the method my dealer has used to order mine)

It's in a reply from Simon at Toyota in the
Next generation Prius: more power, more kit, more economy… same prices

thread as follows:

1. Hi all, thanks for your patience - I’ve had some replies to your questions:
   @Ron - The hard disk does store navigation data, but doesn’t store additional points of interest. It does provide greater screen visuals.
   The air conditioning doesn’t split left/right, but it does provide ambient air to the face-level vents.
   15″ wheels won’t be an option on the T4 or T Spirit, but they can be fitted aftermarket.
   The reversing camera is not available separately from the navigation system.
   @Sandeep & Andy, the order book opened on 1 June. It’s too soon to confirm lead times for delivery, but it should be possible to confirm them shortly.
   I hope that’s useful. We’ll carry on trying to bring you as much information as possible in our posts, so please keep reading!
   
   Posted by Simon | 3/06/09 at 12:29

According to the Toyota UK website we will have "Abyss Grey" and not "Winter Grey"

My current car is "Dolphin Grey" which I think describes it very well

I'm such a tart - I'd stopped reading the commments on that post! I thought it was in a new article - that's why I couldn't see it.

:doh: