<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eric Nothman @ Dec 12 2006, 07:53 PM) [snapback]361317[/snapback]</div>

Thanks for the post - this is great news. I can't wait to see the new model.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ Dec 13 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]361345[/snapback]</div>

bummer i was hoping to see a pic!

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eric Nothman @ Dec 12 2006, 10:53 PM) [snapback]361317[/snapback]</div>

I'm getting in line now! :lol:

Will the 09 Prius have the EV button? :unsure:

Not much point in a PHEV if you can't force EV mode at low speeds.

If it doesn't have an EV button, then i can promise you that mine will within the first hour of purchase (heck, i might even show up with the parts and tools in hand and install it right in the show room before i drive off) :lol:

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Mark Derail @ Dec 14 2006, 07:58 AM) [snapback]362148[/snapback]</div>

Why would it need an EV button? Isn't the main idea that it would be designed to go all electric, all the time at any reasonable amount of acceleration (until the batteries are depleted to a certain level - perhaps 20% which wouldn't happen until you went quite far - guessing 20, 30 miles?) I don't see why you would expect to need to force EV mode - especially at low speeds.

this is great news and a range of 5 miles would be a dream come true....fantasies start at 20 miles, shangri la starts at 50 miles. but its still a start and makes a mod to increase the range that much easier and cheaper

The article does not mention distance. However, prior news indiciated capability of 9 miles of travel on Li-Ion battery.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Fibb222 @ Dec 14 2006, 10:10 AM) [snapback]362251[/snapback]</div>

Whoops I got confused and thought we were talking about a hypothetical PHEV not the next gen prius.

9 miles would be very nice