4th generation coming 2015!

They are staying away, because 'on topic' amounts to about two sentences of forward looking Toyota statements and about two paragraphs of rumors. Feel free of course to complain to the mods about the other 138.8 pages

Now you tell me, what is more off-topic: discussing drivetrain possibilities for the future, or complaining about the content of a thread that by definition is going to be off-topic ?

 

Yes, it does, but its MPG CS is not really good, is it?

BMW i3 Rex range-extender long-term test review - MSN Cars UK
Gas 2 | Bridging the gap between green heads and gear heads.
BMW i3 REx 1,100-Mile Road Test Review

 

Chalk up a lot of that to the serial design. Some 20% of ICE output is lost by routing the energy through the battery.

This is one of your links:

Too bad he didn't say the fuel economy at 70 mph, but at 75 mph a Prius is ~ 45 mpg.

 

The electrical path, at constant SOC (not chg), means it goes through "MG1" - inverter "MG2", 20% losses is a bit high.
Also remember i3 rolls on 155 tyres, which mean less drag at highway speeds.

 

Fair enough, so similar to a Prius. I have read about 15% losses in the Prius for the equivalent path. That is most of the difference between the (35 - 38) mph in the i3 and 45 mpg in a Prius at 75 mph. Which has better aero ?

 

I would like to argue this is still on topic. Discussing next gen direct competitors should be a fair topic within talk of the next gen Prius (to a certain degree of course), especially as the Gen IV Prius will need to be able to compete with them. If discussion was to be strict on the next gen Prius, then this entire thread should only be 2 or 3 pages long since other than the date continuously being pushed back there isn't really any public info available yet about it anyways.

 

The subject isn't DERAILED until the TRAIN has fallen completely off the TRACKS (wink,wink).

 

It'll get back on track once we have some actual info about the next gen, whenever that will be.

 

Couldn't agree more with you. Likely what I assume will happen is as soon as some real bit of info comes out someone will be very quick to post a new thread containing it, and discussion will grow from there.

 

A "new thread?" I suppose that would be entirely appropriate. I will suggest a title: "4th Generation Coming 2016!"

 

Wait is the 4th gen coming out 2016? I thought it's still 2015, just went from expected spring release to fall release and therefor a full model year for Gen 3 2015 Prius (vs a short one)

Did I misunderstand? And then Gen IV Plugin the following year, and my guess, C and V that same year or maybe 2017? Hopefully C V 2016 and maybe a W

 

Uh, I'd suggest the new thread title: "4th Generation Coming......................sooner or later."

 

At this point I think I may just wait for the 2017 model at least before I buy, esp. considering I might be able pay off my mortgage early by 2017. Maybe by then the main kinks will have been worked out too. It also depends on the sizing. With two young kids at that time, I might want a slightly bigger vehicle, including in the Prius V category.

I'm still rockin' the 2004 Prius for the time being. It's still got just under 150000 km. My only issues at this point are that the paint is peeling, it needs repair of a rear light, and well, it has no aux input. I just replaced the muffler (big hole in the pipe), and while shock/struts are old, they're still OK.

 

I like the "sooner or later." I suppose we are anticipating a model year 2016 to be introduced sometime in calendar year 2015?

Re waiting for the bugs to be worked out. When I bought my 2010 (first year for the 3rd generation) I thought about that, but I am pleased to say there have been no "bugs" to my way of thinking. Yes, there was a brake recall, but I always thought that was more political than technical. The 2010 has been a wonderful vehicle in every respect. Hopefully, by delaying the 4th generation, when it is finally released, it will be "bug" free as well. I'd rather wait than buy a vehicle infested with "bugs."

My only disappointment is that Toyota is not just a little more forthcoming, especially with their "friends" like on PriusChat. Most companies cater to their supporters.

 

I am more than willing to pay that price, when I consider the advantages:

1. No hype
2. No manipulating expectations
3. No stock market shenanigans
4. A company focused on product rather than marketing
5. Sent to market when it is *ready*

 

I would like to add:
6. Toyota pays attention to the surrounding market so they don't do something outlandish (ie, not update 11 mile EV range on the PiP because Fuel Cells are coming out and more and more people are buying plugins - like they're in their own cave)

7. Why release updates on supercapacitors and what now? What's the purpose? Unless they want the entire industry to share the tech.


I think I'd rather see it when it's done, but I would love to have some sort of date of expectations. Otherwise, people waiting will flock to the competitors. Short enough date from now, people may wait and see. I'm sure some Volt owners on this thread who recently bought a Volt would've waited if we knew the NS4 would come out this Spring and with 50 miles EV range

 

Yep:

 

All good comments.