4th generation coming 2015!

Their CEM compatriot, Panasonic, also played it conservative with plasma and look where it got them (they exited the industry a few months ago). The analogy may not be completely applicable (hardly anyone makes profit on selling TVs), but I hope Toyota still has some surprises in store.

 

I stopped by my Toyota dealer today (don't ask, my wife's Jetta broke down far from home) and the sales manager said to expect the 2015 Prius at the end of THIS year. He also said that production had already started.

JeffD

 

For the record, I'm not claiming to have unique insider knowledge just because I toured the headquarters museum. I'm building my speculation from the marketing presence that Toyota is promoting and what I'm observing on the streets here.

As for Toyota's FCV, I believe that's a ruse to put competitors and petroleum companies at ease. I believe the future for us is charging our EVs (or plug-in hybrids for the interim) with the solar electric systems on our roof -- cutting out the energy distribution infrastructure.

I agree with you in the sense that it seems that the US market is getting the short end of the stick when it comes to advanced drivetrains and selection. Although it seems to be changing rapidly, the Europeans and Japanese can get a hybrid in a wide variety of models.

EVs that I'm seeing on the streets here in Japan include Nissan Leaf, Mitsubishi MiEV. I was surprised to see several 4WD dual motor Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid SUVs. As far as hybrids, the most commonplace are the Prii, Honda Fit, and the various Lexus models. (Again, this is not a formal scientific study, nor to I claim to have extraodinary insight.)

Unlike in the past, the Prius manufacturing line is not open for tours. I (an unprivileged tourist) was only permitted to see the line for the Crown, Mark X, and Estima models. Moving the Prius line to another plant for this year may have been purely for logistical purposes, or (speculatively) may be interpreted as hiding it from public view because they don't want the awesomesauce to leak out!

 

...or, moving it into UPGRADED facilities pre-designed to incorporate production changes for FUTURE models, maybe?

 

I have to correct myself.

The Gen III Prius (and perhaps earlier) has always been at the Tsutusmi plant. I had ASSUMED that the Prius had been manufactured at the Motomachi plant because I had heard of people touring the plant. But this youtube video of the Tsutsumi plant is dated five years ago...

 

I think the Prius liftback will continue to dominate in hybrid sales if they keep the same basic shape.

I'll betchya what hurts the sedan (Camry, Fusion , etc...) hybrid sales a bit is the lost trunk space due to battery bewteen the wheel wells (and of course higher price, but all hybrids are pricey for their size). Prius hides its battery very well. Have to dig to find it.

 

Summary of OP's article; No new news, but Spring is 11 months from now, maybe 10,

• due around spring 2015.
  
  
• an all-new platform
  
  
• new styling, It will lose its characteristic wedge shape.
  
  
• lowering of hood and waistline, hood height will drop by at least 90 mm 3.5 inches
  
  
• The A-pillar will retreat backwards
  
  
• Roof line will be pushed forward by around 500 mm [19.5 inches]
  
  
• Lower curb weight, will shed over 150 pounds.
  
  
• A new more compact downsized hybrid system,
  
  
• Lower center of gravity
  
  
• The body size will change very little to present 106-inch wheelbase.
  
  
• Front overhang will decrease by just under 2 inches
  
  
• the car silhouette from the B-pillar aft will not be that different to the current model.
  
  
• The new version will get a more luggage space, we are switching rear suspension from the current torsion beam setup to a new double wishbone construction, which will improve the car's all-round stability.
  
  
• The current 2ZR-FXE engine will be significantly modified, while the inverter and motor will be downsized but deliver more power.
  
  
• We will continue to offer NiMH batteries as well as the lithium-ion variety.
  
  
• The lower hood height and roof height are both aimed at improving aerodynamics and mileage, which we expect to clear 40km/L. Expect mileage in the U.S. to at least 60 mpg combined.
  
  
• PHV version will be launched at the same time as the next Prius debut.
  
  
• EV mode will have a maximum speed of around 62 mph/range around 22 miles.
  
  
• The next Prius will be the first model to get 4WD. The rear wheels driven by a motor we call an e-4WD system.[/QUOTE]

 

I think Toyota FCV is a very smart move to develop a modular platform for any limited el. power energy source. Replace fuel cell with li-air or some other high energy and low power density battery and you have a long range EV, or replace hydrogen fuel cell with CNG fuel cell, or replace fuel cell with linear generator and make the buffer battery bigger to make it a plug-in.

There are many possibilities, but hydrogen is there only to collect money and pay for drive train development it will never be a fuel source.

 

LOL
So you say, and I have to agree..."replace FC for another source and you have a good car" !

 

I have been thinking about Sergiospl's list of expectations. I agree, all are points that we have all heard and read about, but there are a few that I sincerely hope are not correct. They are:

• new styling, It will lose its characteristic wedge shape.
• lowering of hood and waistline, hood height will drop by at least 90 mm 3.5 inches
• The A-pillar will retreat backwards
• Roof line will be pushed forward by around 500 mm [19.5 inches]
• 
  
• Front overhang will decrease by just under 2 inches

The first 4 that I have cited, seems to suggest that absolutely terrible depiction that we have all seen. I have told myself, don't worry, it is just a very clumsy, and ill conceived artist drawing.

The final point, the front overhang, would be welcomed if it prevented the front "chin" from scraping the street at every depression (yes, an exaggeration) but to say many depressions would be accurate.

I am counting on you Toyota .... do not ruin a good thing.

 

Unfortunately most design artists are only "happy" if they're able to "redesign / improve" things...regardless of whether those things NEED it or not.

 

I did the same here in NJ and after some checking was told the 4th gen Prius would not be until the 2016 model year. With that said, I have found dealer information notoriously inaccurate when it comes to info on pre-announced products.

 

Sergiospl - I like the GM concept head and shoulders more than the artist depiction of the G4. But the GM concept will never make it to production in that form. But I appreciate you pointing out that the lower hood, A pillar and etc, could be possible in a form other than that awful Stage 10 drawing.

Regarding the G4 arrival date. Both dealers could be correct. A model year 2016 delivered in 2015. That would be entirely expected.

Unrelated ..... Today on the news there was a story about government regulations costing the consumer an enormous amount of money in news cars. It was mentioned, that one regulation required 3 inches between the top of the ICE and the bottom of the hood. I have no idea why, or if it is true, but it causes me to think that if true, lowering the G4 hood might be difficult. Maybe we will see a slant engine???

 

...or, maybe a horizontal (or flat) engine?

 

Wouldn't bee too much of a problem with their Subaru connection.

 

I think the wedge shape is aesthetic, but if Toyota can lower the CD with another shape I say go for it.
Just keep it a hatchback.

60 mpg and 4WD-light sounds wonderful.

 

That looks awesome!
I pray the Prius looks futuristic like that or at least more sexy than the current versions...
Please
And
Thank you

 

It might sound trivial, but I believe the 2015 will be late this year early next year. I will continue to believe that would be the case until they announce the model year 2015 is a carry over, which I highly doubt at this point given the timing of these factors:

• It's June and we still haven't heard if the next model was a carry over, which we knew last year prior
• Spy shots out about a year
• Edmunds still calls it the 2015 year prius to be introduced in the fall and released early next year
• Knowing that we've heard the specs of the Prius for a long while now, I think it would be a mistake on Toyota to go head-to-head against GM's Volt 2.0 - their cheap version could potentially ride into Toyota's hybrid sales
• Release sooner and they'll jump above especially if it's a good car, GM is late in the production cycle that it would be hard for them to change on a whim if the Prius is a superior car (ie, it's PiP version uses less wattage to go further).
• That's where Toyota should go with the Prius - take what it originally stood for: efficiency. If the Rav4 EV or Tesla can only go so many miles per KWh, have the Prius go further on electric and gas. Higher MPGe, higher MPG

 

Well how about this:

• Just got a call from a rep trying to sell a new 2014 model
• I said I would wait until 2015 - I asked if it's going to be the same or new
• She says the same, I ask why
• She says that every year they do training and this year is nothing new
• She also said a Toyota Rep was just there and THEY ARE NOT releasing the new gen for the 2015 model. It will be a 2016 Prius Gen IV coming out Oct/Nov - Plugin AND regular

I can' express how disappointed I am, time to go into a cave lol.