Nice

Engine size will increase from the current 1.5 liters to a 1.8 liter four-cylinder for better performance. Improvements to the Hybrid Synergy Drive along with new battery technology are expected to up city gas mileage to 80 mpg.

"This artist’s sketch gives an idea of what the new Prius might look like."

I hope this is not true. While I wouldn't mind a slightly wider car I don't want to loose the hatchback. And reducing the length with an inch (and the picture above) is a less appealing car to me.

From the link:
In Japan the Prius will be offered with a choice of front wheel drive or all-wheel drive. A solar panel on the roof to recharge the batteries and plug-in recharging are also being considered.

How cool is that?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Jan 19 2007, 12:11 PM) [snapback]377741[/snapback]</div>

Still looks like a hatchback, and I didn't see anything in the article about it not being a hatchback? Or did I miss something?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Jan 19 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]377752[/snapback]</div>

AWD would be great for those in the Northern climes. PHEV is also much anticipated.

But a solar panel on the roof? We have discussed this at length in the past and it has been determined to be a silly idea at best. The amount of power realized even on the most ideal sun conditions (try solar recharging your car on a typical winter day in Chicago if you get my drift) is miniscule compared to the cost, overall life of the panels, and overall problems to integrate the panels (both body wise and electrical) with the car.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MarinJohn @ Jan 19 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]377752[/snapback]</div>

If we could get those options here in the US I would be tempted to upgrade.

AND ... 80mpg?!?!? HEY NOW!
I can't wait to beat the EPA in THAT sucka. If the obsessively anal drivers here on Priuschat can get over 70mpg and 800 miles per tank, just THINK what they'll do with the '08 model. Woo Hoo! Take THAT, middle east fossle fuel sellers.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Beryl Octet @ Jan 19 2007, 12:29 PM) [snapback]377758[/snapback]</div>

Looking at the picture, it might still be a hatch-back but the rear of the car seem to slope down A LOT more. This would take away from the usefulness of that space. I like the wagon like feel of the 04-08 priuses. I'm still hoping they will do a wagon model!

Personally, photovoltaics on ANY part (s) of the car is a welcome idea. Sure, you're not charging the batteries by the Megawatt, but who cares. It trickle charges the batteries and will minimize losses when parked.

Sure it's gonna cost more. But this is the world's most futuristic car remember? Im in two minds about purchasing. If it comes with a PV roof, I'll be first in line

The Prius now costs two to three grand more with the options I require than did my 2004. The 2008 will be more expensive yet and with all wheel drive I imagine It'll cost over $30K.

On getting into this price range I would expect the car to take on a more luxury look (it leaves that impression on its new exterior). The interior would have to be more refined and the car would have to be quieter.

You may notice that my current license plate proclaims, "Bang for the Buck". That's the way I felt about Prius back when I ordered it. If the car does indeed meet the expectations noted above, I could probably continue to keep this plate (if indeed I want to pay well over $25K for my next car .. I Wonder what the new generation Insight will cost).

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 19 2007, 09:32 AM) [snapback]377759[/snapback]</div>

True that there's little benefit to trying to charge the traction pack with PV... my guess is that if a PV panel does exist up there, it will be an inexpensive one, and would only serve to keep the 12V system topped up so that the heat-pump AC could continue to work without the ICE on. That would be very handy indeed. I think VW has done this in one of their cars???

How accurate is the source? I wouldn't bet on anything till I see Toyota's official announcement.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jan 19 2007, 11:50 AM) [snapback]377829[/snapback]</div>

The AC is powered by the traction battery, only the blower and controls are powered by the 12V, so the Hybrid system would have to stay on.

Nate

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(darelldd @ Jan 19 2007, 01:50 PM) [snapback]377829[/snapback]</div>

It wouldn't even come close to providing enough power for the A/C compressor. I wonder if it would even have enough power to turn the A/C interior vent fan at a sufficient rate (which BTW uses very little power). Besides, the A/C compressor uses the HV system, not the 12 volt system. I believe the last thread on this issue projected that even in the most ideal of solar conditions (of where the vast majority of us do not live) you would save maybe a few gallons of fuel over the life of the car. So for ten bucks of fuel you'd be willing to spend perhaps $500 or thousands for the solar cells? I don't see any lines forming for that option...

Don't get me wrong, I think solar power is great no matter how the use (electric, water heating, etc.). If high capacity cheap capacitors come to market many houses will sport PV cells to lessen their dependency on the grid. But it just is not even close to practical for use in an auto. Most driving is done either in the morning to work, the evening back home, or night. Solar PV output would be very low to nil at those times.

If Toyota puts a PV panel on the Prius then I'll eat crow. But I don't think it is close to practical on an auto and I believe the Toyota engineers know that.

Rick
#4 2006

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 19 2007, 02:51 PM) [snapback]377875[/snapback]</div>

Mazda put a little solar panel array in the sunroof of their 929 sedan in the late 80s/early 90's...the idea was to provide power to little fans that helped cool the interior while the car was parked.

I thought this was a great luxury touch...getting into a car that's never baking hot, then having to turn on the A/C full blast to cool things down...

I hear that crow tastes a lot like chicken!
[laughing]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 19 2007, 02:51 PM) [snapback]377875[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, but most folks I talk to about this car will invariably expect it to have a solar panel. I thought about making a fake one out of vinyl decal material just to mess with people. After all, now that I have a block heater, when they ask where do you plug it in, I can show them the cord. And don't forget one of these for the HSD's aluminum cover:



Anyway, my point is that if Toyota thinks everyone expects the car to have a solar cell panel on it, then they might just do it as a "gee whiz" feature.

More than saving fuel, if the Panel provides power to batteries without an engine turning, it might make sense to the Toyota engineers. I'm certainly hopeful!

The 'Gee Whiz' factor should also be factored in.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ScottY @ Jan 19 2007, 01:23 PM) [snapback]377845[/snapback]</div>

People are analyzing the picture, but it's an "artist's sketch". So the people worried about losing the hatchback can relax a bit, that's not really a photo of a new car, just the current car photoshopped.

For the solar panels, yeah, that's probably not enough to do much, unless the whole roof and hood are covered, and then it might get you a couple miles a day (too tired to do the math now). OTOH, most cars are parked all day long in the sun at the workplace, so that's good recharging time. I like the Mazda idea of ventilating the cabin so at least you don't need the A/C on high just to get in the car. I think I saw something from J.C.Whitney years ago, that you hang on the window glass then roll it up, and it has a little fan with a solar panel on the outside.

Also, consider that the solar racers that go cross country every summer can get up to 65 mph (and maintain that) using nothing but the sun. Of course, they're also one-seaters with no auto-anything, no batteries and are about 2 feet high max.