2016 Toyota Prius unveil expected soon - Lentz Speaks

wow!

 

I'm waiting for the BIG unveiling..................

 

I'm waiting for any unveiling;-)
It is nice to hear something though.

 

Hmm...
I'd hardly expect to hear much of anything different from him. You know, glad to hear he's driven it and thinks it's great.
Kind of surprised he went out of his way to squelch overly optimistic rumors concerning fuel economy. I might of just let those rumors ride. Why not fuel some excitement while you can on the fuel of the overly optimistic unfounded rumor?
As long as the MPG does represent an improvement, I don't think it would be harmful at all once the actual product is released IF the reality differs from pre-release rumor.
If the product is better? It's better. I remember quite a bit of unrealistic rumor about the Gen 3 before it was released, most surrounding it's eventual EV capabilities. I don't remember a lot if any disappointment when it turned out some of those rumors simply weren't true.

"Better Looking" is what interests me. I honestly don't think the Prius is bad looking now. I hope "Better Looking" doesn't translate into meaning it looks like everything else.
The Prius since Gen 2, has had certain now iconic stylistic trademarks. I don't know if I want a Prius that looks like a Subaru Station wagon.
Hope they don't updated Prius out of what I think is it's trademark uniqueness. There are a LOT of good looking, great handling, low center of gravity cars available....very few "Prius".
I await the unveiling with interest.

 

because toyota is not gm or ford? unrealistic rumor is not toyota's problem. jim lentz is as official as the come. it's lentz, not lutz.

 

I agree with you that I like the looks of the Prius.
However, Toyota needs to do something to try to increase market share. If becoming a bit less "Prius trademark" looking will allow them to increase sales, all the better.

 

Prius drivers are motoring down the road getting great fuel economy, laughing at the ebb and flow of gas prices. 2 cents cheaper at this station sounds good, I saved a whooping 15 cents stopping here! Living the good life in our current cars. Toyota needs to throw us a whole box of bones to get our attention. If I see a peek of the new Prius...

 

Hey watch your language or you may be ban from Priuschat!

 

I think the 4th gen Prius will mostly appeal to Prius enthusiasts and will look mostly the same. Single biggest factor that would draw more people into Prius would be reduced price (MSRP).

 

Because such optimism turns into disappointment when the truth comes out, and hurts the roll-out excitement and reviews. That stuff tends to snow-ball. Falling short of expectations is poor marketing. Just watch what happens on Wall Street after quarterly earnings reports.

 

I'm still hoping one of 'em is going to fork up some PiP news . . . . c'mon all ready!!
.

 

Second biggest factor would be a nationwide spike in gas prices (not just the mini California-only one that is going on now)

 

Yup. I read that, I thought: uh oh...

 

I disagree in regards to early general rumors, mostly because everyone knows they are simply that....rumors.

It's NOT a big deal, but the way I look at it, the rumors concerning the gas mileage could exist without his commentary on them, one way or another. He could of chosen to simply NOT comment on them.

IMO when talking about building up excitement or attention for a release, why not let "unrealistic" rumors stand? When the vehicle is formally unveiled and released the expected official MPG will be stated. In the meantime, what do I care if rumors are circulating that in some cases over state the MPG? At this point I want as much excitement as possible about the product.

To be honest, I hadn't even heard anyone saying they expected a 15% gas mileage improvement. So at this point I don't think that rumor wherever it is coming from was creating unrealistic expectations for anyone.

Again, I think it interesting that he went out of his way to comment on this specific rumor. I don't think it's a big deal one way or another. I do think at this point I wouldn't of even bothered to comment. If the rumor started to gain "too much traction", in other words we got numerous posts in Prius Chat proclaiming the upcoming 15% mpg improvement, then that rumor can be shot down at any time.
But at this early of a stage? In my opinion rumors, even unrealistic rumors are simply kindling to excitement and attention. I believe there is potentially more value in letting them stand, then shutting them down.

For example I do remember because of leaks regarding the EV button in the GEN 3 Prius, a lot of rumors about what that meant. Most of them were unrealistic or unrepresentative of what EV mode actually is...When the vehicle was released, and what EV mode really is in operation became evident, I don't think it caused any damaging level of disappointment.

I think most people understand the difference between early rumor, eventual reality, and don't build expectations on rumor.

 

Even the EV button rumor for the Gen III was kind of a non-event, because the button was already in use - on other continents. (In fact, that's how many of us came about acquiring one of them for our gen II's.)
Yet even a little thing like the button was played up good & early prior to the gen III reveal. Because of history - Toyota wanting to generate buzz, I'd hoped by now they'd throw us a bone ... something to hold on & look forward to. Especially if there are actual new & exciting things. Evidently Doug won't be goaded into releasing any tidbits before their time.

.

 

maybe it's the same ol' same ol'.

 

Plenty of people seem to expect 60mpg from comments on just this site. That is a 16% to 20% improvement depending on how you's do the math. It is really just would people are hoping for, but without anything from Toyota that isn't more than positive adjectives, it can grow into rumor. Some will be disappointed that the next Prius won't get 60mpg, and now Toyota has a defense in the case that disappointment grows.

My gen2 had EV mode, and I still might have the Coastaltech hack if anyone is interested. I believe the gen2 didn't get it officially, because was worried about complaints from people that didn't read their manual.

 

If they let the ECO mode 'get serious', 60 MPG would be trivial. Combined with adaptive cruise control, game over.

With Prius-to-Prius communication, Prius trains running 80 mph and feet between like bicycle racers averaging 60 MPG! Every 22 miles, front car waits for following train to move to passing lane; slows; train returns to cruising lane, and; Prius rejoins train.

Bob Wilson