Toyota plans bigger 'wagon' Prius with lithium-ion battery for next year

What sort of drag coefficient is expected for that configuration? And how much increase in cross sectional area as well as weight. With Cd and cross section you can get an idea of highway mileage potential. Weight will determine engine displacement and battery size.

 

Here's what kind of worries me about this whole thing. It's the word bigger. Now while that isn't bad...infact it could be a great product why does it seem to me like Toyota and Japan in general, seem to think advancement in the American market always means increasing size?

Fictionally, in my imagination I always picture some Toyota executives discussing Americans and coming to the conclusion we are all big fat burger eaters that only want bigger and bigger cars. Thus the next Prius is a "bigger" wagon, the new XB becomes bigger and more bloated....

Again, I'm interested and it might be a great product. But I'm more intrigued by the rumors of a sporty Prius coupe. I'd be interested in something that might be lighter, faster and less family practical, but also giving fantastic Hybrid gas mileage! If you could give me small sports car like performance AND great Prius hybrid benefits that might interest me more than more space when I fold down the seats.

I've heard very little complaining from most Prius owners about a lack of space. It just bothers me that every evolution from Toyota always seems to end up being an increase in size. Even this 3rd Generation Prius was increased slightly in size and significantly in engine power. Other advancements kept gas mileage equal and/or better so I guess it's a wash.

What I like about The Prius is it is different. It appeals to many, myself included on the basis of efficiency. But maybe I'm rare? Maybe we are a nation of Fat Drive Through Burger Eaters? Maybe all we really do want is bigger and bigger?

But I for one, miss the smaller, Xb and have some concerns about the next evolution or addition to The Prius brand being "Bigger"....Bigger is not always better.

 

Just out of curiosity what intrigues you most? The idea of a Prius wagon or The idea of a maybe a smaller 2 seater sporty Prius coupe?

I admit I might be "personally" wrong. The Prius wagon could be a "no pun intended" HUGE hit.

It might be more of a philosophical problem for me. What bothers me is when I see so many people every morning heading to work alone sitting in huge SUV's and trucks. Yes, occasionally we need room, for camping gear, groceries and life...but so often I see people buying space for spaces sake.

I owned a small truck once and I loved it. The random times throughout the year that I needed the space for hauling or camping and it was great. BUT I'll admit that most of the time it was a waste. And this was a small Pick-Up.

I just think Americans need to get away from this pre-concieved idea that bigger is what they need and want. If you REALLY are transporting the soccer team every weekend? Then fine...but if 95% of your driving is yourself and maybe 1 other person? I don't think you need the large wagon, SUV or Truck.

Most people purchase what they think they want to have image wise as opposed to what they really need. Which is fine, but often leads to many people spending a lot of time alone in huge automobiles and trucks designed to haul large amounts of cargo and people that often aren't around.

I'm not knocking the wagon idea...well at least not too much. I admit I'd have to take a look. If it can offer good efficiency AND the luxury of being able to haul more stuff...then I guess we fat Americans can have our cake and burger and taco and eat it too...

 

I think I can understand what you're saying.
But, Toyota's best seller is Camry beating Corolla, Prius and Yaris.
In Japan, we have Estima minivan ([ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Previa"]Toyota Previa - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame] in other countries), but Toyota offers bigger Sienna in the US.

Anyway, in Japan, small 3-row minivans are well sold, such as Honda Freed and Toyota Passo Sette.
Also, I believe Prius coupe and hybrid Yaris are coming.

Ken@Japan

 

They could also hybridize what they sell in Europe as Toyota Verso.

 

Well, if you can figure out how to comfortably seat 6 or 7 in a Prius without making it bigger, please let Toyota know. The point is that this would be a vehicle that could pick up where the Prius leaves off and without incurring the losses and size necessary with an SUV or truck.

Nothing wrong with a sporty coupe, but it is effectively a 2 person auto--see the Insight. There are many DINK's who might prefer a 2+2 (I used to be one of those) but when one has to routinely haul a family about something with real 4 person seating and storage is required. That's why I no longer have my sports car, do have a Prius and why my truck has an extended cab. (And yes, my truck has done plenty of hauling, thank you very much. By some rough accounting somewhere over 60% of its last 12,000 miles have been with trips that involved a loaded bed and four occupants at the same time.)

 

How about Toyota Tarago Hybrid?
A great 7 seater which are popular here as limosines. Very comfortable in 6 seat configuration.

 

I didn't mean to suggest a Prius wagon would be a bad thing. Really I understand the marketability if you can provide room for a full sized family AND offer hybrid benefits.

I'm just often suprised at what seems like a resistance for all automakers to bring good small cars to the US.

The Honda Fit for example. It was almost like a suprise when it became as popular as it did.

I'm not knocking the concept or idea of a full sized Hybrid Wagon, but I think there is room for more fuel efficient smaller vehicles. Again, the Honda Fit has shown that there is a market for fun to drive small vehicles that offer good build quality and amenities. But it almost seems like in the US there is this idea that people don't want smaller cars and/or they must be cheap.

I think a lot of the Japanese, European products would be succesful in the US. But it seems like pulling teeth to get Toyota, Nissan, Honda, even Ford to commit to a diversity in quality small cars.

I saw Smart Cars, Xb's, Honda Jazz (fit) and other models years ago in Ireland and The UK. I was impressed with their fuel economy and versatility. But in the US we've been slow to move away from our larger is better mentality, I think born out of our history of sprawling freeways and cruising large automobiles.

Bottom line is I'd like to see people move towards picking vehicles based on what actually fits their need as opposed to what they "think" fits there projected image or lifestyle. In the course of a year how often do we really need that off road capability? How often do we really need to haul 6-8 people?

If you can honestly answer Quite often, to those questions, fine. But if you are realisticly only hauling, transporting or driving in off road conditions a handful of times a year or less? Maybe you should pick a vehicle that fits the 95% of your driving as opposed to a vehicle designed to meet your needs for the 5%?

I don't mean to upset people to which these are realities. I realize some people have large families and/or lifestyles that do require these vehicle choices. But living in the suburbs, I see far too many people who just want the SUV or 4-Wheel Drive Truck for the 3-4 times a year they might benefit from the extra room or driving ability. The rest of the time they are sitting alone in huge vehicles wasting gas and resources.

 

No not really, I see them every day.
What did you think? I think it would make a great hybrid people mover.

 

most i have seen are 2-2-3. and the "3" is definitely for kids only. had a job where we were required to go to the customer. we had several of them and have been stuck in the back with 2 others several times simply because they took the 3 smallest people and they sat there and i was always one of the 3 smallest...sucked

on a 2-3-2 the 2 in the back would be rear facing. old design and have seen many of them as well, but not in the last several years. are they still legal?

 

Ouch, yes that hurts.

Back in the early 2000s Tarago sold here was similar to a Toyota model sold in Japan but our Tarago was 100mm wider than the standard Japanese domestic model to cope with Aussie fat arses but the Japanese got an all wheel drive version which used the wider body. An all wheel drive option was available here also. I don't know if this is the case with the current shape Tarago. The base model Tarago of early 2000s would seat 7 comfortably with plenty of room in all positions, the upspec version was extremely comfortable, with only 6 seats, or really 6 armchairs.

 

I would like to see a wagon, that way it would be easier to load my equipment for work in it
They could find a new market for people who work in the service
and need a small wagon

 

This is why I would like a wagon, would like little more room

 

MG?

 

Motor/Generator. Indicating in this situation an all wheel drive system.