4th generation coming 2015!

inferno,
I agree with you that buyers waiting for the next model year is a constant problem for car manufacturers.

Interestingly, the latest issue of Consumer Reports contains pictures and a brief description of several new cars that will be introduced in early calendar year 2014. The Highlander was one, but also the VW Golf, a BMW, and the Audi A3. CR identifies them as "2014" models, and shows several additional models they indicate will be released this fall.

I am just interested .... and anxious. I wish Toyota was a little more forthcoming with reliable information. The few leaks thus far, would seem to lead the buyer to have an elevated expectation. I am not sure that is a good business approach.

 

They're not going to let up either.

We will see more leaks, mostly in the winter to prove their tests of the new G4. I expect winter spyshots to come out in a few months. Then it'd go into full production and a release late 2014.

 

I certainly hope so, leased car ends in December 2014.

​

​

 

I don't think they would bring it out in late 2015. I'll bet they are targeting an unveil at the Detroit Int. Auto show in Jan 2015, just like they did for the 3rd Gen Prius in Jan 2009.

Once the 4th Gen is unveiled (possibly Jan 2015), I doubt they'll make customers wait 'til October to get one. I'd wager it'll touch down late Spring. 3rd Gen first deliveries in Bay Area were May of 2009.

I recall there was an event for invited guests to see 3rd Gen Prius months before production models arrived to dealerships.

Once the 4th Gen is unveiled (at a big auto show) pics will be everywhere and VIPs will probably get to drive pre-production models,

 

Article above on CleanMPG seems highly speculative. Their '2015 Prius' seems to mix up model year with release year. What's with the photo of NS4 next to Prius mention? Toyota already had official news the NS4 would be a dedicated plug-in and will not be a Prius, if they even make the NS4 into something.

If you want to see what NS4 back end would look like, see the new Jaguar XJ, which btw has a trunk. If rear window is one piece (not Kammback), might as well have a trunk.

NS4 looks cool, but if they made it just like the picture, not so many would buy it. Interior view would be fairly bad.

 

Trust in Prius chat to give you the full details when they become available. The Prius Experts on this forum (Danny, Mark, Russell, Tony, Evan, Rick etc.) Will likely be invited to the early press events to check out the car first hand.

 

"Early and Speculative Conclusions
I suspect we will see the Fourth Generation 2015 Toyota Prius shod with an incredible 56 mpgUS combined rating while providing a spirited run to 60 in just over 8.5 seconds. Adding a better than Auris/CT 200h chassis and more modern Lexus like interior appointments,"

I really do not want, or intend, to be a 'nay-sayer' but I may not even believe it if I see it.
My cynical side says,: Right, ........ and all at a lower purchase price.

 

Just found this article - hopefully it's not a repost.

Toyota reveals details on next-generation Prius hybrid: 55 MPG goal and likely 2015 release : TreeHugger

 

Hmm, does this mean no release 2014?
Gen III was released late 2009. So 6 years would indeed be late 2015 Damn that sucks, that's way too long.

But other data shows (I forget where) the 2015 model is the refresh model and it would be released 2014 late. The article implies it's a 2016 model released 2015 (because that's a true 6 years). I think 6 years it oo long, the competition has almost caught up...

But damn!

 

As a follow-up to my previous conversation on the v I finally spent some time at Toyota dealership yesterday and weighed on a number of options.

We spent almost an hour driving each of the available vehicles (the v the liftback followed by the C). Each car pleased both my Wife and myself in different ways. The v had the most generous storage capacity, whereas the liftback was superior when it came to highway driving. After spending that amount of time, in unison, we dismissed the v entirely. Although it looks far much better on paper compared to the liftback, we found its overall performance lacking, especially cruising on one of highways here. Sure, the car had no problems reaching the designated limits, but at terrible cost of engine noise (really loud!) and with a noticeable penalty on fuel. We tried all of the modes and I did apply some HM techniques. Nonetheless, after 45 minutes we agreed to cross the vehicle out of our list.

Finally, somewhat reluctant, we decided to kill some time and asked for the Prius C; naturally, took it on the same cruise and... we both fell in love with it right away. I have to admit, that I have never been so surprised by a vehicle in a long time. In terms of ride comfort and handling, it was fantastic! We found the engine to be smooth and quite peppy. The C was actually the car that we enjoyed the most. While it is the least spacious vehicle, for sure, the overall package/value proposition looked very appealing to us.

I did 70 kms with the C and loved every minute of it. It burned 3.8L/100 km which offered another surprise; so, it looks that it will be the C, which is quite a departure from our original plan. Nevertheless, the car handles and feels great and with the upscale trim the interior looks very appealing.

We decided to change our strategy and at this point we will make the Prius, size-wise, our secondary vehicle, and my primary commute car. The SO will get a bigger vehicle for the kids & stuff in a couple years, like a hybrid Venza, or something alike.

Thanks!

 

Only if you consider the month of May to be late in the year. I was at Piercey the first day it arrived about the middle of May and test drove a 2010. By the next month, I rented a 2010 Prius V (Five).
I was working on my custom seat at the time for my 2009 Prius.

The top conventionals Accord, Civic, camry, Corolla are on a 5 year cycle, but I can see how Prius could take longer: Prius (liftback) is not just a hybridized version of a conventional. Toyota has to decide what they are going to do with the body, improve the hybrid system, and choose the type of battery. And they are developing the next Prius Plug-in along side the non plug-in ....

No wonder it's a 6 year cycle for Prius liftback. Also, the expectations from customers are huge.

I've no problem if they only go for 5 MPG improvement, just make it a better overall car....

I asked a Toyota tech today if he thought the Plus rims would improve handling a good bit. He said somewhat but not a huge improvement. I asked if the torsion beam limits improvement in handling and he thought so. Hey Civic has an independent rear suspension, basic, but there. Maybe there's no room for that in Prius.

I test drove a 2013 Corolla S last week and it's surprising to be in a car without a floating bridge console ... it's like, wow, all this room has opened up in the front.

 

can I buy it tomorrow. WOW

 

Is there anything we can learn from new Lexus IS 300h. It uses D4-S, dual VVTi 2.5 L engine delivering 133 kW (180 HP), together with electric motor it delivers 220 HP. The journalist that tested it, reported 5.4 l/100 km (43 PMG) on a car with 18" rims, more or less town driving of one week. The 16" version is rated only 10% worse in fuel economy than current Prius, downsize the drive train to 1.8 and put on 15" LRR tyres and you have 160 HP Prius with improved fuel economy.

Lexus IS 300h - The Dynamic Sports Saloon | Lexus
Lexus IS 300h F-Sport driven full road test car review - BBC Top Gear - BBC Top Gear
http://www.auto.cz/test-lexus-is-300h-tise-a-za-malo-76822

Must be first hybrid ever that is available in Europe and not (yet?) available in US, why is that?

 

I disagree totally!


If the NS4 makes its way into production as-is, it will be the best selling car Toyota ever made.

 

No way. You and others like you are smitten with the steeply raked windshield and aerodynamic look. The average car buyer couldn't care less about that. The view would be quite compromised in that car just like the A -pillar in liftback Prius gets right smack in the view when looking around right corner.

Moot point anyway. If NS4 like plug-in comes along, it will cost a small fortune anyway, up around $40k.

The Accords and Camrys would outsell it 10 to 1 .

 

I can't speak for others but yes, I absolutely love the overall NS4 design - I also realize some of it is not workable in a production model but nevertheless, it is a fantastic design direction.

Okay I presume you represent the "average car buyer" ? Well, either way I respect your view but those of us who like the NS4 have a right to be "smitten" with a different view. And everytime I see a discussion on NS4, you can bet I will be there expressing my wish to see the NS4 into production.

At the end of the day, the wise folk at Toyota will decide what happens to NS4 - average's Joe's like myself can shout all we want but you can bet the "right" decisions will be made.

 

Booth information | 65th Frankfurt Motor Show | TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION GLOBAL WEBSITE