15" or 17" Wheels

Again, I must ask, where was the sticker located???
Do you remember?

I took dozens of photos on that car, and there is no sticker anywhere to be seen...

 

yeah too bad about the roof... i would have gotten that option, but not with 15" wheels.

 

I think that the sticker was on the electronic panel (located close to the left front wheel) describing the vehicle. It is also possible that the sticker was added in time (I was there on the 10th).

The reason given by Toyota peole were weight/homologation - I am not sure if that reason really applies everywhere in the world (eg a fully loading a Mercedes can add hundreds of kg and still we get only the figures of the base model) and even if it were the case why not having 2 slightly different conso figures...

The Dutch price list (posted here in another thread) also confirms the alternative 17" or sunroof.

 

Correct. Order the sunroof and you get 15" regardless the edition / model. It is not available on the Comfort Edition though, only on the more expensive models.

 

Ahhh... that might explain it... I was there on the 5th. Still, I think this is not good policy, this is deliberately promoting an non existing package just for marketing reasons!

I don't buy that one. I would still very much know what is the real reason behind it. It seems they would sell double if they had that option available, judging by what we read on this forum!

Yeah, I believe so now. Not happy though...

 

I just hope they have the same tuning at suspension level for both the 15" and 17" wheels.

If they force me to go for the 15" I might even be happy, now that I think of it... as long as they don't give me soft suspensions like the USA models have! I hate riding boats!

I was just this close to change my alloy wheels on my 2006 Prius to 17", so this would not bother me too much to do on the 2010. It would in fact have the added benefit of having smaller tyre threads (is the 15" 195mm?) and thus better fuel consumption!

I would have 17" with current 195mm (or whatever 2010 15" has) which would give me much better handling without mileage penalty... Nice!

 

i think main difference is how they have to shown fuel consumption average - meaning if Solar panel was significant number of sales together with 17", it would bring down the average they have to post for EPA....

And additionally, there are quite few changes in 17" wheel models - firmer suspension, larger wheels and quicker steering ratio. It basically makes 17" model an sports model in the lineup, and that doesnt go well with heavier roof either.

Pricing needs to be considered as well - bundling with 15" wheels made option cheaper for sure.

so it is combination of everything, but major part was probably EPA averages which would be brought down complete Prius lineup and USA is major part of Prius sales.

 

i thought about that too, but isnt europe first place where we saw in documents that there is different steering ratio between 15" and 17" model?

 

Thanks for the input Danny.

Have you tried the 2009 touring edition? I'm asking because I've heard it's the closest thing you guys have to the European model.

The European 2006 model is very far from being a floating boat like we read here about the USA model.

These aspects, specially the riding and performance final tuning are made by Toyota local branches, and they tune it up to their market liking. Tipically we Europeans like stiffer and sportier cars, so the Prius was well tuned too.

I often beat a lot of BMWs in corners (no kidding!) and other fast cars. They beat me in the straight, but hey, I don't go over the speed limit anyway, let them go

This is why I wonder if Toyota Europe has chosen to tune up the 15" as well at suspension level, or if the only difference is the turning radius. I can't see a softer suspension being well seen here. Both 15" and 17" should have the same suspension settings (sport) and the added benefit of having 17" wider tires should be enough for those wanting to do some bends a bit faster I would say...

 

Probably they've got some heat on that because the first thing a Toyota representative told me was that I should note that this particular option combination would not be offered for sale.

Why to show it then?
Also the car was probably manufactured before the decision was taken to impose US bureaucracy on European customers in the name of globalization.

Neither am I.

 

I have something of a handling test on my route home.



The right turn round the roundabout followed immediately by the left turn is something of a challenge for the suspension on many family cars. My previous car was a 2001 Ford Focus, which handled it pretty well. At first I thought the Prius was terrible, then I noticed that I was actually taking the corner about 25% faster than before! I used to change down to second gear in the Focus, taking the corner at about 15mph; I was doing about 25 (indicated) in the Prius. Cutting the speed to an indicated 20mph (probably 18 actual) and it does pretty well. There's quite a bit of weight transfer but no tyre-squeal.

The Prius does have a bit of exit oversteer, which is related to the torsion beam rear suspension. The Focus was equipped with Control Blade independent multi-link rear suspension. The Control Blade system is a compact system which generally allows greater space in the rear - as there are no struts introducing into the luggage bay, it separates the springs and dampers, and it's cheap, because it can be made from pressed steel rather than being machined.

The downside is that the ride can be a bit rough, particularly in the rear (especially over speed bumps!) and when you've inflated the tyres properly (i.e. > 40psi).

 

I don't really know, but I would speculate the following. Prototypes are VERY limited around the world, and expensive. So they decided to use one prototype to show all the features. We have to deal with these situations all the time.

Anyway, I got a call into Toyota Motor Europe to see if I can find out.

Doug Coleman
Prius Product Manager
Toyota Motor Sales USA

 

I agree. Car companies do this all the time. They will display cars at auto shows with features, such as lowering springs that make the car look cooler on a showroom floor, that are not available on production cars. So you can't assume that what you see at the show is what will be available.

Roy

 

Well, they told me at Geneva that the 3 cars on display there were not really 2010 Prius, they were mules, i.e. 2006 models under the skin, but I would never thought of having unavailable options on display.

It was hard for me to get to know they were displaying mules, I had to question several people why on earth the steel cable for the hood was removed so that you could not pop it open... I was quite shocked to know about it, even more because I knew the ones on display at Detroit were REAL 2010 models, not mules...

 

I wonder if I order the IV package (15" wheels) with the Solar Roof... and then add try to order and install the LED Headlights and Fog lamps.

How much do you think they will charge for the LED headlight assemblies?

 

That's how I want to order my new Prius. Then it will be perfect. I hope Toyota is listening to us and makes this possible.

 

i have one worry about the new 17's... i run 17's (the exact same size that will be incorporated into the 2010 prius... which has the same outer ratio as our current 15 inch tires)

my complaint is that they really don't last as long.. if i ask a tire tech.. it's because of weight... the prius is too heavy. since the 2010 weighs more.. i wonder how the wear will be on these new tires ( i only get 15k to 20k out of a pair... oh.. btw.. 17's of that size are directional.. so no cross pattern swapping.. only front to back....)

so.. i'm wondering if all this bracing and retuning to the 17" package is to save the tires... (reduced body roll so it tears up the front tires less.. stiffer body.. etc...)