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4th generation coming 2015!

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by edmcohen, Nov 6, 2012.

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  1. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Did I see "TV" at the end? lol Uhm...

    TV while driving!
     
  2. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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  3. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    Yeah, gotta protect your paint.
     
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Nothing new. Toyota/Lexus vehicles have had TV in vehicles since the late 90s

    [​IMG]

    Here's a pic I grabbed off ClubLexus in a 1998 Aristo Vertex Edition. TV button is on the bottom left.
     
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  5. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Is TV the same as just the LCD screen, or is it broadcasting television? In which that's a bad idea to drive and watch Game of Thrones :O
     
  6. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Another article, mostly about Ford and Samsung: Ford and Samsung Partner On Lightweight New Batteries

    This is interesting that cars will get lightweight li-ion batteries and improve mpg in exchange while providing more interior space. The part I sort of "lol'ed" at is they mention the 2015 Prius, last of the hybrids to offer NiMh batteries AND it says it's DEBUTING this year.

    I should have a checklist on when sites suspect the 2015 Prius will be the Model Year 2015 vs 2016. But the article is already citing it's debuting this year, so now again we look to the LA show in a half a year?

    Maybe we will see a flurry of details and images in the next coming months if this is the case...Hopefully! But then again, they'll remain guarded to not thwart any current sales.
     
  7. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    Don't hold your breath...unless you have a BIG death wish.
     
    #2367 70AARCUDA, Jun 11, 2014
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  8. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Intel Goes Wireless With Resonant Power | EE Times

    Summary: the company Toyota bought (Witricity) has reached an agreement with Intel to provide 90% efficiency wireless charging tech.

    Witricity says (or confirms?) the next gen prius will be provided with this tech.

    Now, if it's 90% efficient vs a plug that might be 99% I really don't think I would like that at all, especially if it's a standard in a Prius (added weight and what not). Imagine $1000 in energy costs, and you'd save over $90 using a Plug. Prius is about efficiency - I don't think wireless charging would make everyone excited especially with the idea you might have to place a heavy durable object on the ground or dig into concrete....

    Now if WiTricity touts as efficient as a direct wire, we'd be talking a different story here
     
  9. 70AARCUDA

    70AARCUDA Active Member

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    Toyota's Simile: Simplicity vs. Stupidity
     
    #2369 70AARCUDA, Jun 12, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2014
  10. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    While I feel the same, plenty of other folks will feel different. A manufacturer can reach a larger market audience by addressing multiple customer types.

    E.g., my spouse is much less OCD about energy efficiency than me, more concerned about convenience. I line-dry much of my laundry when weather is favorable, but hers must be machine dried. I want one of heat pump clothes driers when they become available in the North American market, cutting that function's energy cost in half, but she probably won't accept the doubled drying time. I would be far more willing to physically plug in a power cord, she'd greatly prefer the park-and-forget convenience of wireless charging.
     
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  11. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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  12. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    I wonder if Witricity is using AC or DC. Would be pretty dumb that if they use DC (convert the current for their product)- then it would result on 12-22% total power loss!
     
  13. Felt

    Felt Senior Member

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    Inferno, I know nothing about electricity (at one time I did understand volts, watts and amps), but I suspect we will just need to trust that engineers that can design and manufacture the genius of the Prius hybrid system, will not be fooled by energy conversions.

    Personally, I hope that wireless charging can be perfected. It needs to efficient, easy to use, cost effective and "transparent" (I hate that word). I am not willing to pay much extra IF .... what I understand about PIP is true. It just is not worth the added effort and cost in my circumstance.
     
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'm not sure I understand the question. TV is an additional source just like AM, FM or CD. It's terrestrial over-the-air television if I correctly understand how they work in Japan.

    I believe Distracted Driving Laws throughout Canada and the U.S. prohibit the use of a screen that displays video in the driver's field-of-vision unless the vehicle is in Park with the parking brake on. (In fact, I believe this was the law before any of the current distracted driving laws were in effect so it's nothing new).

    If you're driving, why would you want to watch television? The current HDD systems (7" LCD) allow DVD playback when the vehicle is parked.

    True but we have to step back from being "Prius owners" and think about the general car buying community. Advancement in vehicles to them is better efficiency and more convenient items (anything that makes their drive easier). Touting a wireless charging system is one of those features. You have the option to plug in (because the new PiP will still need that for public charging stations) or you can conveniently charge at home over your wireless charging pad (house or apartment). This can minimise damage (especially in apartments) because the wire is, mind the pun, hardwired into the electrical system and all the user has to do is to park over the pad. There's no risk of the driver driving off with the plug (there's always a chance of absent-mindedness).
     
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  15. 4EVsHybrids

    4EVsHybrids Junior Member

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    Its funny the Prius detractors are saying the competition (Honda and Ford) have caught up to Toyota in hybrids MPG? Really?

    Ford lowers MPG ratings on six vehicles - Autoblog

    Add the Honda Accord Hybrid's beat down by CR and guess what, the 3rd Gen Prius HSD is still far ahead of the competition. What makes it more significant is that Toyota is doing it using NiMH batteries, not the significantly more powerful Li-Ion batteries. How about this as food for thought, a 3rd Gen Prius with a Li-Ion battery(Not the PHV)? Imagine the possibilities? 4th Gen Prius HSD with a Li-Ion battery and it is a slam dunk! Tesla would be the only competitor.
     
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    The *last* person I would ask about an upcoming refresh to a product is a salesperson. The are either ignorant, or lie.
     
  17. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I have no idea what "a lot" of people means considering there are some 100 million taxpayers in the country ...

    However, taxable income of $73k after deductions for a married couple has a federal tax of about $10,000.
    Note, this couple are not even in the 25% marginal tax bracket.

    Perhaps a useful rule of thumb would be to say that a working couple that has $6k in disposable income a month left after paying for whatever was associated with a tax deduction or credit, have a $10k federal tax burden.
     
    #2377 SageBrush, Jun 14, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 14, 2014
  18. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Same in my house, until the dryer one day went and lost its cord.

    Now she is used to using the line.
     
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  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    In a 2011 IRS report, I'm seeing 145 million tax returns, with just under 92 million having any tax liability.

    31 million had adjusted gross income of $75k or over. Another 17.6 million returns in the $50-75k income bracket averaged $5280 tax on $61.7k AGI.
     
  20. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Our dryer motor failed a couple years ago. We promptly obtained a new dryer. (Earlier thermostat failures were cheap easy DIY jobs, but this wasn't.)

    In this climate, even I won't consent to line drying year round. The line is 'temporary', a cable between hooks on the house and fence that can be put up in about thirty seconds. It works great in summer, but is poorly situated for sparse winter sunlight. So this past winter, I added another pair of hooks in the best light, and gained numerous weeks of outdoor drying. And while pretending to be retired, I can better shift my laundry time to better fit the more scarce winter drying weather.
     
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