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100+ MPG Prius in 2009 w/ price cut by 20-30%

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Apr 13, 2006.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    First of all let me say that I've thought the AutoExpress article was bunk since the Prius isn't due for a remake until 2009, plus they said in 2004 that a turbo-charged Prius would be coming out in early 2006. But anyway, an interesting article in Edmunds tonight. Not sure where they get that the Prius gets 99 MPG in Japan, but ok.


    Ultra-Green: Radical 100-MPG Toyota Prius in the Works for 2009
    Date posted: 04-12-2006

    TOKYO — Expect something amazing from the next Toyota Prius — like fuel economy that pushes past the 100-mpg barrier.

    Due in two years as a 2009 model, the next Prius is set to be an evolution, company sources say. The hybrid will retain the same basic 1.5-liter hybrid drivetrain. But Toyota is now on a mission to do two things: drive the economy ratings skyward, and cut the associated costs by 20-30 percent.

    Toyota was rocked when news seeped out that Honda was planning a low price Fit hybrid for 2008, with the price differential just 200,000 yen (some $1,700) more than the regular gasoline version. So work on the next Prius has redoubled to slash R&D costs and halve Toyota's current hybrid differential of 500,000 yen (some $4,240) to compete.

    Honda is currently winning the hybrid image war in Japan with the tiny Insight coupe, which manages 102 mpg in Japan's standard fuel cycle. The Prius is just a whisker behind at 99 mpg (35 km/l). But now comes news that Toyota is determined to hit 40 km/l (113 mpg) with the next Prius.

    Sources say the next Prius will also be able to run longer and faster in pure electric mode, up to a sustained 30 mph, which will significantly extend its zero-emissions range.

    What this means to you: The Prius right now is massive in North America. Imagine what the next one will be like, with even better economy and value.


    http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=109981
     
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    99mpg they got is in Imperial mpg. That's ~82mpg US or 2.86L/100km
     
  3. jef

    jef New Member

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    It seems like the difference is even more drastic than that. The article says that in the Japanese test, the Prius II scored 99 mpg, while in the US EPA it scored 55 mpg, a difference of 44%. If they get 113 mpg with the Prius III on the Japanese test, and the US test is the same 44% lower, that would translate into 63 mpg US. It's a nice improvement, and hopefully it will be even better than that - they overachieved on the original goals for the Prius II - but hyping numbers in the triple digits is the worst kind of lying with statistics and it will only make reality look worse when it doesn't match.

    I'm personally looking forward to a PHEV because that seems the shortest route from here to really getting 100 mpg.
     
  4. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 13 2006, 12:46 AM) [snapback]238963[/snapback]</div>
    That's what I figured but what I am wondering is how they got 82 MPG in a 2G Prius?
     
  5. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    I think Edmunds.com is trying to inflat those Prius mileage numbers so they can stomp on it later when they get their hands on one... :lol:
     
  6. benighted

    benighted New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 13 2006, 12:07 AM) [snapback]239000[/snapback]</div>
    Then they can complain that they gave themselves false information. Brilliant! :lol:
     
  7. priusblue

    priusblue New Member

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    These numbers do seem very fantastic. MPGs in the 90's seem too good to be true. I'll hope for 70's and then maybe I won't be disappointed. I need to hurry up and pay off my current loan so that I can save up and pay cash for the next Prius!
     
  8. TimBikes

    TimBikes New Member

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    Maybe the Japan version uses EV mode to hit that mpg.
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    They have really smooth roads that reduce resistance between the tyres and the road surface (reducing tyre wear too). That could be a factor.
     
  10. JMcPhee

    JMcPhee New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Apr 13 2006, 01:39 PM) [snapback]239411[/snapback]</div>
    and the drivers are much smaller, so they weigh less... :eek:
     
  11. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Would someone care to explain this part to me and why this is an improvement?
     
  12. tstreet

    tstreet New Member

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    Keep in mind that this test was done in Japan and achieved 82 miles per U.S. gallon. Also, keep in mind that the Japanese test cycle is a joke and replicates nothing in the real world. This makes the EPA test seem conservative.

    The average speed of the Japanese test is 14.8 mph and the max speed is 43.5. The average speed for EPA hwy is 48.2 with the max at 59.9.
    The average speed for EPA city is 19.5 and the max speed is 56.7. Also, the rate of acceleration for Japanese test is 1.78 mph/second while the EPA rate of acceleration is 3.3 for city and hwy.

    So, reports of 94 mpg for next vehicle relates to Japanese cycle. Assuming the ratio of Japanese to EPA test holds us, the expected EPA combined would be 63 mpg.

    Of course, there may be differences between the Japanese Prius and the American one, in which case we would expect even less that 63mpg for the next American version.

    I must say I was really excited when I first heard about a future Prius making 94 mpg. I assumed that it was a PHEV. 63 mpg seems doable, however and would be welcome if not as exciting as I orginally thought.

    None of this was made clear in the article.
     
  13. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(JMcPhee @ Apr 13 2006, 05:56 PM) [snapback]239423[/snapback]</div>

    When did they pass the law saying Sumo Wrestlers couldn't buy a Prius?!?!?!?
     
  14. Sam-I-Am

    Sam-I-Am New Member

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    A honda fit hybrid would be really nice. The only thing I don't like about the current version is the drive train, so a hybrid version would be very tempting.
     
  15. Begreen

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dipper @ Apr 13 2006, 12:07 AM) [snapback]239000[/snapback]</div>
    Or it's part of a mass disinformation campaign to slow down current hybrid sales until the other mfgs can catch up.
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Tony, keep in mind they have no idea that the EV button exists

    tstreet, those in Japan have been getting pretty good mileage. They've been consistently getting 1200kms per tank, some up to 1,600km
     
  17. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    TOKYO — Expect something amazing from the next Toyota Prius — like fuel economy that pushes past the 100-mpg barrier.

    This is very confusing..... how can we consider this a big deal when they presently say the prius gets 99mpg?
    For some reason everything is inflated compared to how we normally relate.

    Sounds like all they will be doing is adding a bigger battery?


    Whoopy..... I can go 42 now? or even 34 with the EV button?..... whats wrong with their sources?..... this whole thing is not credible unless they are using a different ruler somehow?
     
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    okokok guys... stop confusing US MPG with Imp. MPG lol.

    edmunds - break the 100mpg barrier.. that's US MPG

    99mpg currently - that's Imp. MPG. It converts to 82 mpg US.
     
  19. windstrings

    windstrings Certified Prius Breeder

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jef @ Apr 12 2006, 09:59 PM) [snapback]238969[/snapback]</div>
    I think your right about thier figures..
    PHEV is the best way to go presently in my opinion too, but the way to make that electricity your pluggin into is not so glamorous if it cost more to get 100mpg than gas does now.

    We are already having problems with the wonderful "Ethanol" driving the prices up because of its production costs, it gives us worse gas mileage and more cost....yippi! :angry:

    Alternative Energy is only good if its cheap........ We all could run around with a nuclear reactor and get even better gas mileage, but we couldn't afford it.

    We need to be able to "collect" our own electricity or we will still get the financial shaft.
     
  20. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    The subject line "w/price cut by 20-30%" is a little misleading. They're trying to cut costs by 20-30%. That doesn't mean we'll see a savings in terms of price of that much.