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Prius Minivan Coming in 2011 with Lithium-ion batteries?

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Apr 16, 2010.

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  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    A Prius Minivan is the unicorn of hybrids for many Prius fans, and according to the Nikkei, Toyota is planning on launching one next year using lithium-ion batteries. Nikkei, a Japanese daily newspaper, reports that Toyota aims to keep the price competitive and at a level similar to "those of current models" in the face of increased competition in the hybrid market. The Nikkei goes on to report that this new Prius Minivan will have 3 rows of seating to hold up to 7 people, a spacious interior, and it will of course offer improved fuel economy over competitors in the minivan market. The lithium-ion batteries will be produced in a joint venture with Panasonic, who is Toyota's partner in producing the current Prius' nickel metal hydride batteries. It is obviously too early to have much information about this potential car, so it is not known if this will just be a North American version of the Japanese Estima Hybrid, shown above, or if it could be a whole new hybrid built to more closely resemble the Prius hatchback.
     
    #1 Danny, Apr 16, 2010
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  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    About time... my sister was waiting for it but got Odyssey V6 with VCM instead.
     
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Apr 16, 2010
  3. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    SOLD - I'll be first in line for that. Correction - my WIFE will have me first in line for that one.
     
    #3 HTMLSpinnr, Apr 16, 2010
  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Add our names to the list:

    Robert and Holly Wilson
    Huntsville, AL 35802
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Apr 16, 2010
  5. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    I have a friend that has been waiting for this minivan to be available. She has a 2008 Prius and has been biding her time waiting for Toyota to come out with the minivan.
     
    #5 jdcollins5, Apr 16, 2010
  6. Codyroo

    Codyroo Senior Member

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    Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
     
    #6 Codyroo, Apr 16, 2010
  7. Navigare

    Navigare Active Member

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    +1:D
     
    #7 Navigare, Apr 16, 2010
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Next year??? wow they're that far into the development already?

    So it'll be a new vehicle then? Not one based on an existing vehicle? Very cool. I wonder if it's gonna be Mazda5-sized (i.e. like the rest of the world).
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2010
  9. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I certainly hope so. It goes back to the "What's the minimum MPG a member of the Prius family should get?" In order to achieve a decent MPG rating, it'll almost have to be a Mazda5-sized MPV.
     
    #9 Danny, Apr 16, 2010
  10. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    Sorry it is not a Prius minivan, it is an Estima hybrid minivan, much bigger than a Prius.
     
    #10 bedrock8x, Apr 16, 2010
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    All I care about:

    • hybrid minivan
    I don't care what battery chemistry is used. I don't care what the vehicle is called (call it "Godot" as in "Waiting for Godot".) What I want is the usable space of a minivan (or Scion xB) and fuel efficiency of a hybrid (or compatible or better than a Highlander SUV!)

    Things that are nearly mandatory:

    • 110 VAC inverter - 1.5 kW (or I'll just add my own)
    • accident avoidance / automatic cruise control (*)
    • lane following (*)
    Everything else is negotiable.

    Bob Wilson

    * - Considering the recent safety complaints, making this an affordable option across all trim levels would be wise.
     
    #11 bwilson4web, Apr 16, 2010
  12. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Article didn't say this will be launched in the US, did it?

    Anyways, I'll see it when I believe it...
     
    #12 zenMachine, Apr 16, 2010
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    An Estima would be too narrow for American tastes (heck the Mazda5 sits 7 passengers elsewhere but only fits 6 in North America even with the larger engine). There will need to be a wider version (not necessarily larger, just wider)


    I do not know... a 1.8HSD might be a bit taxing and a 2.4HSD would be overkill imo or maybe just right if you're able to fill all 7 seats with cargo. I don't know if Toyota's planning on hybridising a 2.0 litre engine. mpg? The Mazda5 gets about 9-10L/100km in the city and about 7 on the highway (so what's that in mpg... 20-35mpg?). If it can break 40 mpg while carrying 7 people, that would be a pretty good achievement.


    Price might be another concern. I don't know how it's priced in the US but it is very very afffordable in Canada. It starts around Cdn$20k and tops out at Cdn$26k-$27k. For reference, a base Camry LE (we don't have a standard or CE Camry) starts around $25k (same as the base Accord, Altima and 6. Fusion starts around $23k but it's a manual). Compact cars top out anywhere from $24-$29k in Canada (Base prices are $15-$17k). $30k plus if you include the MazdaSpeed3, Golf GTI and Lancer Ralliart. Heck, it's in the same range as the Insight! ($23k to $27,500)
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Apr 16, 2010
  14. hampdenwireless

    hampdenwireless Active Member

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    The Estima sized would do it for me. I would prefer it not to be as big as the current Toyota Sienna. I think a Sienna sized vehicle would sell as well, so its entirely possible that it will be that big but it is just would not be what I would expect from a 'Prius' brand.
     
    #14 hampdenwireless, Apr 16, 2010
  15. smartalec89

    smartalec89 The Official Alaskan

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    YAY! Pretty exciting for me cause now I know what I will make my parents buy. I might steal it though. Sounds like Toyota has been keeping secrets.
     
    #15 smartalec89, Apr 16, 2010
  16. talonts

    talonts VFAQman

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    I seriously doubt that it will have Lithium drive cells in 2011, as Toyota is very stubbornly (and rightly, when looking at a cost/warranty outlook) sticking with NimH at this time. The only Lithium right now is the Prius PHV test fleet, and so far, they say that only the PHV will have Lithium in 2012. A Lithium pack for the larger Estima, even if not PHV, would be quite pricey to come out next year. And totally unproven. The Prius is the intended Lithium test mule in the US, at least.
     
    #16 talonts, Apr 16, 2010
  17. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    ... only about ten years too late ...
    .
    _H*
     
    #17 hobbit, Apr 16, 2010
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  18. Rybold

    Rybold globally warmed member

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    I'm not at all surprised that Toyota plans to make a hybrid minivan (it's overdue - the demand and market has been waiting). However, I am baffled that they plan to use Li-Ion instead of NiMH. (due to costs and proven reliability of NiMH)

    Trivia: what do you get when you mix a Prius and a Sienna?
    answer: a Prienna !!!

    While searching for an image, I came accross this hillarious photo of an SUV limo in an unfortunate situation. -Just another reason why SUV gas-guzzling limos should not be on the roads:
    http://images.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/01/beached_limo-750272.jpg

    .
     
    #18 Rybold, Apr 17, 2010
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  19. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    Yeah, pricing will be a big concern. Hopefully, they can price it somewhere between a Sienna and much less than a HyHi while delivering mileage close to the FEH or HyCam. Also, hopefully they can keep the weight out of monstrosity class SUV territory which in my book, starts at a bit over 5000 lbs. curb weight.

    Errr... I think there's some demand (and it's unmet in the US), esp. amongst us hybrid enthusiasts, but unfortunately, the minivan market has been on a decline for a LONG time. See http://priuschat.com/forums/other-cars/30896-why-bother-3.html#post407309.

    But yes, even though I'm a single guy w/no kids, I used to drive a minivan (93 Dodge Caravan, wasn't bad). It was way better than having no car. I really wish it weren't a declining market w/people buying stupid monstrosity class (full-sized) SUVs like Tahoes, Expeditions, Navigators, Escalades and Suburbans just because they have a few kids.

    LOL! On your answer. :)
     
    #19 cwerdna, Apr 17, 2010
  20. Navigare

    Navigare Active Member

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    #20 Navigare, Apr 17, 2010
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