Exclusive: 2012 MY Prius - Changes and Additions

Matte finish seems to be the in thing for the real high end cars and custom paint jobs. It requires more care, so I don't see it coming to the regular car majority even if price wasn't an issue.

There won't ever be an independent rear suspension on the Prius. It's rare on regular wagons and hatchbacks do to space issues. The battery will have to downsize before Toyota considers for the Prius.

 

My wild guess is that perhaps Toyota didn't have time to or didn't feel it was worth the expense of porting IPA to the new Entune hardware, which might have a totally different software development platform/environment.

I do like the HUD becoming available though...

 

So basically it does the pre-support system part for you? I prefer to skip the pre-support system entirely as it takes too long. Just pull up as normal, shift in reverse, hit the parallel button and okay it once you see the green lines. Much faster that way.

I think it's just a cost saving measure in order to keep the same price point. Something had to go in order to get HUD in (probably due to popular request) and it made sense for them to get rid of IPA of all the AT features.

 

When will the 2012's be available for purchase?

 

Thanks for the information! Now the two big questions I have...

When will the 2012's be available to buy?

And...

How much will they cost?

 

Toyota (Build Out Final Order Start Up Dates)

ProductionDate: Dec/2011; Delivery Month: Feb/2012
As far as cost, who knows, Prius may see a price increase similar to the 2012 Camry!

 

Fits OK in the CT200h, which has fully-independent rear suspension.

The Ford Focus has had fully-independent rear suspension since it launched in 1998. Ford have a layout they call 'control blade' which is compact and made from pressed steel parts, so it's cheap to assemble as well.

 

Im sure Entune for Canada wont be available on all model and why they are releasing 2012 only in Feb 2012? I mean why not having them already in stock?

 

I am bummed about the release date as well... But my guess is that due to the tsunami... everything from Toyota has been pushed back.

 

that site is constantly wrong when it comes to retail delivery.... for instance, Camry Hybrid is coming to dealers in October, while it says Jan/Feb... it might be for fleet customers only where Toyota does not allow fleet orders for first few months.

 

I'm really disappointed that the new level v will not be available with a sunroof. I thought this was a no brainer for the engineers! I understand the weight issue with the 17's, but how come there are so many aftermarket rims that weigh half the weight? At least allow the HUD on the level 4, then i could add the rims of my choice. Otherwise i will be waiting for the Model S.

 

Wowweee!!!
My 2010 will be sooo outdated!
I'll jump in in another 10 years hopefully (2022 Prius?)

 

How many automakers run the EPA tests and/or how many cars does the EPA certify with aftermarket rims that the automaker itself doesn't sell?

I doubt it's strictly the weight of the rims alone but rather the mileage hit from a combination of factors (e.g. tires being heavier, revs/mile difference, likely greater contact patch on the 17" tires, difference in tire model, etc.) + hit from greater weight of the roof.

 

I deeply hope they will not change the Instrumtent panel,because i thought it was a very good thing separating the energy flow-display,climate controlls and Nav so you can have all the info at the same time without having to circle through a menu in wich you only could display a single feature !
It really would be a major step backwards into "old" times !
What i do hope for is,that they will colour it !

 

well it creaks because you have layer of glass or plastic, whatever it is, on the top of the roof... vs same metal mold.

 

I don't see removing IPA as a cost-saving issue unless they'd have to re-develop the software for it for the new system. The Prius with AT package already comes with all the hardware to support the feature, so once the software development cost has been absorbed, it costs exactly zero to add to the car, it's just a couple extra megs of programming they load into the computer.

I suspect it'll be added back in eventually. The systems over time will get good enough that it's not a time hit to use it and we'll see it on more and more cars, so it'll have to come back to remain competitive. Whether that's within the gen 3's remaining lifetime or not is open for debate though.