any word on the (and I can't find a source to cite) 19 mile max between engine run events? My 14 mile RT commute will be mildly annoying every other day if the car wants to start the engine. (I'm OK with using a little EV range to spin (NO GAS) the engine, if needed).
Why ? Wayne Brown's energy/mile calcs for the G2 Prius are here http://privatenrg.com/#Bill_Moores Under 200 wh/mile at 53 mph. Even at 15% energy losses from battery to wheels (and I expect reality to be better,) only 3.4 kwh starting energy is required.
To answer my own question, the British press release states that the 30% power increase (along with the other figures) is over a TEN YEAR period and not an increase from the 2011 to the 2012 model year as the above quote implies.
It looks like the Solar Roof will be available on the plug-in from this picture. Galerie photo - images de Toyota Prius plug-in - Nouvelobs.com
Woohoo! That was actually my biggest worry after reading up on the plug in. I really wanted the roof! *edit* Dang, under further inspection this picture is from the regular Prius. The center button of the 3 driving mode buttons says "Eco", not "EV City" (Fullsize picture here) http://www.toyotagb-press.co.uk/protected/vehicles/releases/2011/65288-P-h-toy.jpg Plus the center vents are different compared to the dash picture Paradox posted here: http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...prius-phv-plug-in-updates-32.html#post1386684
Why wait? So, for those unwilling to wait another year or more... There are PHEV Prius conversions now that are fully functional. I have had a 10KWh installed in my 2009 Prius for more than 21 months, and have logged more than 20,000mi. There also are GenIII conversions out now. If you live close to the SF Bay Area, they will be on display here: Green Drive Expo - Bay Area Also, can expect to see the "state-of-the-art" in EV's. Scott
It almost definitely will not have the Solar Roof package available in the US. This photo is also definitely NOT of the Plug-In. Check out the rear deck. That is from the 2012 Prius refresh, not the Plug-In. The Plug-In rear deck won't have an accessible area nearly as large as that. Here is a photo of the Plug-In access area:
As I wait for you guys to figure out what the plugin mpg numbers mean.... HV stealth EV range in addition pure EV range? if you manually switch modes? From Toyota Europe site video: Video of Toyota FT 86 II Concept @ 2011 Frankfurt MS - YouTube FT86II production car to debut at Tokyo show. I think he says November 30 which is press day or maybe it's November 13 as in 2013? EV model also?
Has Toyota provided any details that confirm or deny the availability of the Solar Roof on the Prius Plug-in? Is the Solar Roof the only way to get a moon roof on current Prius models?
Yes, unless you go aftermarket, the solar roof option is the only way to get a sunroof on the current Prius. As for Toyota providing any details, they have not released anything official about the US production model at this time. We will have to continue to wait and see... When they do I'm sure you'll see the info posted here first.
What are set of buttons above the power button (left of radio controls) which can be seen in both the new PHEV interior pictures that show the center console? (sorry can't post pics)
the top two are HUD and NAVI. the bottom is TRIP. the second from the bottom/third from top just looks like a blank honestly.