Spy Photos for the Next-Gen Prius

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 19 2007, 02:55 PM) [snapback]377879[/snapback]</div>

Yes, that's a great idea for a PV array on an automobile. But they don't offer it now. Why?? Perhaps it was simply to prone to failure. The array could get damaged by a passing rock truck (some $%#$ rock truck just last week put a small dent on my roof the other day, just one inch from the windshield), it would have to be coupled with a thermocouple as so not to operate during the winter, it has to be sealed so it will not leak over the life of the car, it has to be vented properly, etc. And you know how subjective the public is. "I have a factory installed solar fan in my car and it is still hotter than hell when I get into it after it has been parked in the sun all day". Wouldn't you like to be the service manager fielding that complaint.

There are perhaps many more neat and cool things that could be incorporated into an auto. But when you mass produce a auto, it's got to be practical and make money for the company.

Hmm, if the crow tastes like chicken, can I eat the chicken instead?

Rick
#4 2006

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 19 2007, 03:26 PM) [snapback]377901[/snapback]</div>

but they would look so cool:

 

Note, 80 mpg for City only. With the increase in ICE displacement, I think highway mpg should remain around 50 mpg... considering the frontal area is about the same.

Dennis

 

This spy photo is just an "artist interpretation" computer doctored photo. The next Prius was seen in sketch form last month and resembles the Toyota Volta concept car. I understood that the car was going to use a turbo-charged motor and the next gen. hybrid drive system. I hope that they focus on fuel efficiency rather than performance though, as the Prius is plenty fast now and if it would only incorporate new battery and plug-in technology I don't think 100mpg is unreasonable.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 19 2007, 11:55 AM) [snapback]377879[/snapback]</div>

Dinosaurs and their descendants should taste similar.

 

Yeah, if they lose the hatchback, they lose me:-( My dog just fits in the back now, and she actually likes it (she can look out without having to stand up, as in the SUV (which now gets used mostly for trips to the mountains or the desert, on actual dirt roads

But without a hatchback, a lot of the Prius' functionality would disappear, and the German clean diesels about to come in to NA shores would start looking more appealing (they always have HB versions.)

BTW, why, oh why, does the NA market shun hatchbacks? We gobble up SUVs and claim it's because of their utility, but at the same time, shun wagons and hatchbacks. Go figure....

 

If the picture is relatively close to the 2008 model, I want one now!!!

Photovoltaics are a nice idea, however you don't get much energy out of a small panel.

Keith

 

If NA is so against hatchbacks....how come the '04 Prius redesign with a hatchback took off in sales over the previous, mundane, boring same as other cars with a trunk '00-'03 design? It's the hatchback that made the Prius the most successful hybrid selling today.

Why mess with a good thing?

Count me in on the if they lose the hatchback they lose me group. I'll buy the most recent model that still has a hatchback and that will be it.

And I'll have the chrome removed if I have to. I hate the chrome grill on the newer models. My 2005 doesn't have any, thank goodness.

Gray interior.

I may have to have it painted dark blue.

And install side signal mirrors.

 

Some of the third party solar systems we have seen have been a joke because they only deliver 40 watts or less. An integrated solar system could deliver as much as 800w which could add up to a few miles a day in the full sun. It would never pay back as it would cost wholesale at least $2400 <for the parts alone> but it would be neat.

The Prius could get 10% better mpg just by more advanced control electronics and batteries. The talk I have heard is some kind of turbo generator or turbo charger that gets a little more energy for the car from the exhaust. That could be good for 15% more mpg.

 

I should have said "have the ICE run less." There's no reason to assume that the next gen Prius will control the HVAC the same way the current one does. After all, the new one will be bigger than a Hummer, sexier than a Tesla and get 280 mpg.


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(viking31 @ Jan 19 2007, 11:51 AM) [snapback]377875[/snapback]</div>

Well, since this is all hypothetical, and based on nothing but a wish and a prayer, I'll go out on a limb and say yes, it would be WAY enough power for the fan. God lord, I use a panel the size of about 1/4 the roof of the Prius to run my MUCH larger attic fan on my house.

In the current vehicle, yes.

If you look closely you'll see that *I'm* the one who often squashes the dreams of others who think that adding PV to a car can add lots of miles. So... uh... yeah.

There weren't any lines forming for what I already HAVE done, but that doesn't mean it has no value. No, I'm not willing ot spend $1000 extra for a little HVAC-extending panel. To spin the fan, it would take a fraction of that. Again... we're just dreaming here.

My words verbatim from other threads on the subject of extending EV range with current PV.

Doesn't matter when you drive if you actually ARE able to fill up some form of storage (cap, battery, etc). I'll tell you what though, when I drive during sunlight hours, there are hundreds of thousands of cars out there with me.

Boiled or BBQ'd? Really - other makers have already done this, so it isn't so far out of the realm of reality for the Prius to have it.

 

I think it the artist's rendering is rather heinous. I love the sleek styling of the current model, it is brilliant. This looks like the current model got chopped up and stomped on the front and the back.. .

 

I am in the market to buy a Prius and I planned on buying one by March 31st so I can catch the higher tax credit. Now that I have seen this, I may have to hold off until this is out. I think it looks very sexy and by the pic, it looks like it would still have a hatch. The wheels also get two thumbs up.

Are there any definites?

Is this def. going to be the 08 model? If so, when will it be released?

Is it def. going to be a plug-in?

Is it def. going to have a bigger ICE? The 80 mpg city sounds great but with the bigger ICE is it going to get worse highway MPG? I would hope not.

 

so that means less legroom or storage space if the engine compartment is longer yet the overall car length is shorter

 

New Solar Technology:

The idea of putting an old Silicon based Panel is cool but not very efficent. The New Nanotechnology Solar Paint is the way to go. 5 times the energy output and much less expensive. Here is just one of many articles :

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/20...larplastic.html

 

First, I'm still amazed permission was given to copy that image here, as it is clearly copyrighted for the named site only.

Second, I like the looks. It is only someones opinion of what the car will look like - someone not affiliated with Toyota. Toyota employees do read this site, so they may be influenced by the ideas put forth in that image.

Third, calm down guys. It's claimed to be ONE INCH shorter. If you really think you would notice that, time for a mini-van. That alleged inch could have been saved in the engine compartment.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Gary0878 @ Jan 20 2007, 05:39 AM) [snapback]378213[/snapback]</div>

I'd agree... if it existed. The promise of Fuel Cells is almost as bright.

My spray-on PV is TEN times more efficient, and costs even less.

Seriously. We have to deal with technology that exists to have any sort of relevant discussion of what may or may not happen to next model year's vehicle. By now, all the specs would have to be nailed down.