Prius Wagon Mod

The extra height of the rear hatch would create much more negative pressure immediately behind the vehicle, thus dramatically increasing the aerodynamic drag experienced. That's the main reason it is the way it's currently designed.

Although I agree, hybrid technology would be more appealing to me (other than the Prius, of course) if it were in a Volvo XC-90 or Subaru Outback (which I've heard unsubstantiated rumors of developing a hybrid) type of vehicle as opposed to an SUV using it to get 18MPG. Although, with finally installing racks on my Prius, I find that I have sufficiently very near the same amount of space that I did in my 98 Outback, and that makes me love it even more!

 

You can have the left-over parts from my convertible mod.

 

Nice illustration! I guess I don't carry anything that bulky that I'd need a wagon. Fold down the rear seats in my Prius and I have as much cargo carrying capacity as I need.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jgills240 @ Mar 12 2007, 09:10 PM) [snapback]404642[/snapback]</div>

Volvo 1800ES, circa 1972 (I still have the one I bought in '72)

 

I think it looks great. Tell toyota I would buy one...but I like the topless one too. Don't tease me...they both look great!

 

For those of us who need a kid-hauler, I'll bet you wouldn't have to stretch the wheelbase too much to squeeze in a third-row seat.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(liquidsoapdispenser @ Mar 13 2007, 07:59 PM) [snapback]405088[/snapback]</div>

Actually, it's much more pronounced that it would seem. I've done windtunnel tests at SDSU on NASCAR race car models, and they begin to feel the effects of pressure drag starting at even 40mph. So yes, on a high square back vehicle, 35mph will be within the pressure drag envelope. But like i said, i'm all for it!

 

On a somewhat related note... I live in Los Angeles. Lots of limo service for lots of people. Some people are going with "Green" limos now -- these are Prius cars and Mercedes bio-diesels. What I haven't seen yet and I'm waiting to see, is a stretch Prius. Not a HUGE stretch, just 6 - 12 inches or so... I guess the coachbuilders are all afraid to saw a Prius in half, or maybe it is just that the market demand is so limited....

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Mar 14 2007, 01:49 PM) [snapback]405482[/snapback]</div>

If you stretch the Prius that much and change the roofline as in the photo, you should be able to get in a third-row. Sure, you'd have added weight and drag from the roof, but we could still acheive maybe- mechanical engineers, weigh in here- what, 80% of the Prius' fuel efficiency? That would still be a hell of a lot better than my wife's Pilot.
Those of us who need to haul more than five people on a regular basis have (in this country) a choice of either a bloated "mini"-van on an SUV (one exception would be the Mazda5). Build a vehicle like this, and I'd buy one tomorrow, and I'm sure a lot of other folks would too. Toyota, are you listening?

 

Here, have your third and fourth row seats for the kids and friends, plus the low back end to reduce the drag.

 

With the above stretched prius I imagine you can also fit a *buttload* more batteries. I reckon you could also put motors in the back wheels.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(redcane @ Mar 15 2007, 12:47 AM) [snapback]405951[/snapback]</div>

Oh what the heck - why don't we make it a Touring model, drop in a 5.6L semi-hemi engine in there... And can you imagine the stiffening plate underneath this thing????

How far do you think it would go in EV mode?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(John in LB @ Mar 15 2007, 08:37 AM) [snapback]405978[/snapback]</div>

To the end of your driveway (if it's downhill)

 

There are feet holes in the floorboards for the second, third and fourth row seats. When in EV mode, all passengers are required to put their feet through the holes and run, saying "Yaba Daba Du!"

And did I mention, it is a Plug-In too, with the added advantage that the front end can be plugged in at work at the same time the back end is plugged in at home.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Mar 15 2007, 01:02 PM) [snapback]406129[/snapback]</div>

There's a warning label on the dashboard that reads, "Danger! Do not hang giant dinosaur ribs on the side of the car- it could cause the car to tip over."