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2008 Prius stats revealed: lithium-ion and 94 mpg !!

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by clett, Apr 8, 2006.

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  1. clett

    clett New Member

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    AutoExpress over here in the UK have a very interesting article in the latest (print) issue. Can't see it online yet, but they've got a big picture of a reworked Prius (looks a bit like a Corrolla Verso from the front) and some news from Toyota as to what the next generation Prius will offer.

    Here are the headline stats:

    1) Finally made the leap to lithium-ion (at last!) :D

    2) As a result, performance set to be much better (0-60 times at least 1 second lower from current).

    3) No more gasoline-engine on during city driving (except once charge depleted).

    4) Expected 94 miles-per gallon (US).

    Given earlier leaks, this is almost certainly Toyota's first plug-in hybrid offering (9 miles AER was mentioned).

    Article says Toyota are desperate to get it out before Subaru and Mitsubishi bring out their own lithium EVs (set to be 2010), so are aiming to release this new super-Prius by 2008! B)
     
    #1 clett, Apr 8, 2006
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Interesting!
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2006
  3. galaxee

    galaxee mostly benevolent

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    wow! i really hope that's all true because... well... wow!!!
     
    #3 galaxee, Apr 8, 2006
  4. Begreen

    Begreen Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Apr 8 2006, 12:18 PM) [snapback]236855[/snapback]</div>
    Woohoo! BRING EM ON BABY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D
     
    #4 Begreen, Apr 8, 2006
  5. priusblue

    priusblue New Member

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    Fantastic! I hope this is all correct! And I also hope the MSRP is still in line with the current models, or at least not any pricier. That would be amazing. Hmm... if our current Accord that my husband is driving dies before this comes out, we'll just have to get an old civic to bide some time. B)
     
    #5 priusblue, Apr 8, 2006
  6. hycamguy07

    hycamguy07 New Member

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    I wanna see pictures .....!

    Like this Corolla Verso ?
    [​IMG]



    Or this Avensis Verso?
    [​IMG]



    This looks familiar :previa
    [​IMG]




    This is ugly AYGO :
    [​IMG]


    Barnum Bailey ordered 2 of these Yaris Verso clown cars :lol: :
    [​IMG]


    Its neat to see how much the cars differ from country to country.....
     
    #6 hycamguy07, Apr 8, 2006
  7. espoafd

    espoafd New Member

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    I'm starting to save right now. I want to be first in line. :)
     
    #7 espoafd, Apr 8, 2006
  8. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I was planning to keep my Prius for 10 years. :lol: Looks like it is going to be very hard since Toyota keep on improving HSD so much. *sigh*

    Dennis
     
    #8 usbseawolf2000, Apr 8, 2006
  9. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Apr 8 2006, 02:18 PM) [snapback]236855[/snapback]</div>


    Could you/would you scan and post the article? What was the information source? Guess I'm just a tad suspicious of the details since Japan usually seems to be first with this new info and typically they'd make a big deal about that kind of info...tentative though I'm sure it is.



    Still, I'm sure my heart rate went up 20bpm at seeing that info...I'm already trying to figure my way out of our usual new-car-every-5-years plan with my wife....
     
    #9 efusco, Apr 8, 2006
  10. kinghuang

    kinghuang Member

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    Is it too early to ask my dealer to put me on the waiting list? :D
     
    #10 kinghuang, Apr 8, 2006
  11. grasshopper

    grasshopper Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Apr 8 2006, 03:18 PM) [snapback]236855[/snapback]</div>



    Do you think they could fix the seats??? :angry:
     
    #11 grasshopper, Apr 8, 2006
  12. jbarnhart

    jbarnhart New Member

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    If the rumor is true I guess our Prius will have lower than expected resale value after all. This is the way of digital cameras, computers, and other fast-changing consumer goods. I just didn't think it would apply to a 2-year-old Prius.
     
    #12 jbarnhart, Apr 8, 2006
  13. RonH

    RonH Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ Apr 8 2006, 02:18 PM) [snapback]236855[/snapback]</div>
    I'm too lazy to do the math (its a nice day and I'm going outside), but barring super-conductor like improvements in efficiency or miracle density reductions in materials, this seems like a little overreaching. LiIon aren't that much better than NiMH. You're talking 50% improvement in mileage, 10% improvement in acceleration, and at least a doubling of electric drive's high end. What was the jump from '03 to '04?
     
    #13 RonH, Apr 8, 2006
  14. naterprius

    naterprius Senior Member

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    94 mpg would have to be by using electricity from plugging in. I believe you might break the laws of physics otherwise.

    Nate
     
    #14 naterprius, Apr 8, 2006
  15. RonH

    RonH Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(naterprius @ Apr 8 2006, 05:44 PM) [snapback]236927[/snapback]</div>
    How far does the current model go when you run out of gas? A couple of miles at low speed? So if you double the battery capacity (maybe possible by '08) and the efficiency + weight reduction improves modestly, how far will it go? 5 mi on a full charge at cruising speed? I've got a 20 mi commute, so that would boost my mileage by about 30% assuming I could recharge at work. YMMV.
     
    #15 RonH, Apr 8, 2006
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Depends. If there's a lot of us trading up, then there'll be a lot of Priuses on the used car lot. If so, all those who want a Prius as of 2006 but can't afford one will snap a used one up in 2008. Most of us will still have at least ½ the hybrid warranty left.
     
    #16 Tideland Prius, Apr 8, 2006
  17. ONwi03

    ONwi03 New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kinghuang @ Apr 8 2006, 06:47 PM) [snapback]236912[/snapback]</div>
    :lol: This was also the first thing that came to my mind.
     
    #17 ONwi03, Apr 8, 2006
  18. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    very interesting, but i have to be suspcious as well. Toyota is not one to advertise too far in advance over major technology changes in its models. look how long it took to get any real information on the Camry hybrid.

    but interesting nevertheless as i was predicting (hoping) that a plug in and/or a premium battery option would at least be an option. making this a premium choice would keep resale values on current models high...

    we must not forget the effects of gas prices either. the resale value of my car just dropped below what i paid for it. if gas hits $3.50, i be willing to bet that would change
     
    #18 DaveinOlyWA, Apr 8, 2006
  19. Kaos1

    Kaos1 Junior Member

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    What would be really cool is if the technology could be transplanted into our current Priui. If it means amputating the old NiMH cells and maybe some regulators, I would be up for that. I know that there are associated issues with Lipo batteries. Some radio control modelers have burned down there houses recharging these.

    Kaos1
     
    #19 Kaos1, Apr 8, 2006
  20. Don-RI

    Don-RI Member

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    Hope I'm not too late to get on the waiting list. :)
     
    #20 Don-RI, Apr 8, 2006
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