Dreamy

Am I missing something here, or is the only outward difference the wheels?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 19 2006, 08:09 AM) [snapback]305778[/snapback]</div>

That looks exactly like a European Prius. Mine has the same wheels (covers actually), and we get all the airbags as standard as well. And a leather-look covered steering wheel, seems this one still has the plastic one.

Seems like a US 2007 Prius = Euro 2006 Prius. I wonder what we will get in 2007 then.

 

The wheels and the slightly larger rear spoiler. Otherwise, you can't tell the difference at all. Packages are slightly higher, because they're adding more stuff to the lower packages, like airbags.

 

I can't tell a difference in the real spoiler at all. mayby the rear tail lights look smaller? The wheels are definately different, but anywhing else? Sorry, I can't tell. Looks like a 2006, USA model.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rangerdavid @ Aug 19 2006, 11:13 AM) [snapback]305828[/snapback]</div>

My thoughts excactly. Looks just like my 06. Maybe a little more spoiler but not that noticeable.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ Aug 19 2006, 11:26 AM) [snapback]305833[/snapback]</div>

Here you go. http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=2...hl=rear+spoiler

 

I wonder if the larger rear spoiler (Europe edition) was needed due to the requirement for rear spoilers. That requirement was caused in Europe when cars on the autoban (started with the Audi TT I think) started spinning out at high speed - the rear ends were lifting enough to loose traction. I know the RX-8 has a "cool looking" spoiler there you can't get here in NA.

That was indeed a good thread you referred us to "force" - nice comparison in photos.

The air leaving the back of most cars creates a vacuum, which results in lift. Not a problem unless you're exceeding the speed limit by a lot. Starts to be noticable (to me in cars I've driven) above about 140 Km/hr (around 80 MPH). Don't have my Prius yet, so can't comment on it. Don't think I would drive a Prius that fast anyway (but you never know).

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Aug 19 2006, 11:52 AM) [snapback]305871[/snapback]</div>

Well, a friend of mine was in a real hurry to get to work in time for a meeting, ahem. Apparently a Prius can do 85 without any particular problems, even when passing 18 wheelers on a day with strong crosswinds.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(metamatic @ Aug 20 2006, 08:24 AM) [snapback]306241[/snapback]</div>

Ummm....yeah...a friend of mine recently (and almost accidentally) discovered the same thing...when she was driving on the open road and wasn't necessarily paying attention to the number thingy on the dash...

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rufaro @ Aug 20 2006, 09:49 AM) [snapback]306270[/snapback]</div>

Well, I'm a partially-reformed car nut, and on a recent trip to Arizona, on a wide-open Interstate 10, I found to my delight that the Prius is not the interstate dog I really expected it to be. I bought it as a commuting tool, but it was very comfortable cruising 85 on the open road, where the good aerodynamics paid dividends in low noise. I found out that there really IS a third digit on the speedo, too! Even with a brief sprint up to 105 mph indicated, I averaged 42 mpg indicated on the trip.

Now, I have no intention of taking my Prius to such velocities on a regular basis, and I certainly do not recommend this to others - I have a great deal of experience at high speeds on tracks compared to most road drivers, and was working with ZERO traffic for miles - but it was fun to have the performance exceed my expectations.