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Next-Generation Toyota Prius Promises Improved Mileage and Unique Styling

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, May 23, 2007.

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  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Toyota's top-selling hybrid sedan is headed for a redesign next year. The popular Prius four-door is expected to once again differentiate itself with unique styling and class-leading mileage.

    Although our spy photo shows an evolutionary shape, it doesn't represent the final design. It was one of three designs Toyota was considering, but we've heard the final decision went to a more conservatively styled Prius more along the lines of the Hybrid X shown in Geneva this year.

    Toyota officials have said recently that they hope to bring down the cost premium of hybrids while continuing to improve their efficiency. With new less-hybrid-friendly EPA testing procedures, the 2009 Prius may not show huge gains in its stated fuel economy figures, but its real-world numbers should improve beyond the current 40-45mpg range.

    What this means to you: If gas prices continue to climb, the 2009 Toyota Prius could be the hottest new car on the market next year.

    Source: Edmunds.com
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, May 23, 2007
  2. gilahiker

    gilahiker New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 23 2007, 09:23 PM) [snapback]448711[/snapback]</div>
    I looked at the photos on the Edmunds site and I gotta say that I don't like either one. I think the Hybrid X design looks like a puffier version of the Yaris. To my mind and eye, Toyota will have lost the nice clean, spare styling of the current Prius if they go with either one of the two shapes shown on Edmunds.

    I just really like this generation of Prius, it speaks to my need for clean, spare, Finish/Scandanvian styling.
     
    #2 gilahiker, May 23, 2007
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Well, it seems as though Toyota wants to stick with the hatchback design which is a good thing because I think the majority of PCers want the hatchback design kept. I can think of two people off the top of my head that want a sedan instead (you know who you are haha). Maybe Prius "A", "B" and "C" will have different bodystyles.
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, May 23, 2007
  4. NoMoShocks

    NoMoShocks Electrical Engineer

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    Hum, to me, the green one looks like they tacked the front of a 2006-07 Civic on the back of a Prius G2. Weird, but I always think that about new designs, and often end up liking them later.
     
    #4 NoMoShocks, May 23, 2007
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I don't know what they meant by "conservatively styled" as the direction for the next Prius. Did they really want to "dumb" it down? I thought that's what the Camry's for - a conservatively styled hybrid heh.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, May 24, 2007
  6. SomervillePrius

    SomervillePrius New Member

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    Is it only me or is the spy-shot more "conservatively" looking then the hybrid-X?

    I think the hybrid-x stands out and I like the design. The spy-shot looks like they let a 19 year old "civic" modder loose on a poor prius.
     
    #6 SomervillePrius, May 24, 2007
  7. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The blue one? Gawd, I hope not! In the Edmunds photo it's as ugly as sin.
     
    #7 richard schumacher, May 24, 2007
  8. larkinmj

    larkinmj New Member

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    Whatever it ends up looking like- PLEASE, make it a plug-in!!!!!
     
    #8 larkinmj, May 24, 2007
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 24 2007, 08:22 AM) [snapback]449051[/snapback]</div>
    I second that!
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, May 24, 2007
  10. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ May 24 2007, 07:31 AM) [snapback]448914[/snapback]</div>
    What am I missing here. I see two "photos". One is a green computer generated image, the other photo of the blue Hybrid X. I see no spy-shot. A spy shot would be a photograph of a real car testing.

    I like the hybrid X concept better, I'm glad they have gotten rid of the step from the hood to the windshield. Now if they would just put the engine in the back were it belongs I would be really happy. Lets hope they actually pay attention to aerodynamics this time too. For all its looks the Prius isn't very aerodynamic. It doesn't even have a $10 plastic undertray.
     
    #10 JSH, May 24, 2007
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ May 24 2007, 02:47 PM) [snapback]449382[/snapback]</div>
    Yet the Prius is one of most aerodynamic production cars on the road. The only cars that beat it is the Insight and the LS430 w/ air suspension. Both are Cd=0.25. I guess the LS460 can also be put in there too.

    The Prius has a Cd of 0.26
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, May 24, 2007
  12. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ May 24 2007, 04:47 PM) [snapback]449382[/snapback]</div>
    You're going to have to explain this...it's completely contrary to the facts. Cd 0.26 beat by only the Insight and a handful of cars real people can't afford.

    Oh, and if you look at the undercarriage it has several $10 plastic trays with a unique bubble pattern that was leading edge when the 2G Prius came out and is now standard on the Lexus line. It's specifically designed to improve undercarriage aerodynamics.
     
    #12 efusco, May 24, 2007
  13. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(larkinmj @ May 24 2007, 08:22 AM) [snapback]449051[/snapback]</div>
    Yeah well.... don't hold your breath on that one!


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 24 2007, 07:09 PM) [snapback]449516[/snapback]</div>
    The EV1 had a Cd of 0.19. Only car ever under 0.20. And it was designed in the early 90's. It DID have a $10 plastic belly pan. ;)
     
    #13 darelldd, May 24, 2007
  14. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco @ May 24 2007, 10:15 PM) [snapback]449518[/snapback]</div>
    OK Cd's for some cars around the the Prius:

    Toyota Camry 0.28
    Saab 9-3 0.28
    Honda Civic 0.27
    Infinity G35 0.27
    Mercedes Benz C-Class 0.27
    Lexus LS430 0.26
    Mercedes Benz S-Class 0.26
    Toyota Prius 0.26
    Audi A2 0.25
    Honda Insight 0.25

    Yes, the Prius is about 10% better than the typical 0.35 of most traditional sedans but that's not really that much. It is only 2% better than a C-Class which is a very typical sedan design. The Prius is styled to LOOK aerodynamic but it really isn't that much better. They are going to need to go the the next level to get much better numbers. Things like fender skirts, flat underbody, no mirrors, much smaller grill, etc. The GM Precept Hybrid Concept for example had a Cd of 0.16.

    About the under tray, yes the Prius has couple of small spoiler but it doesn't have a undertray. My TDI has a full undertray that goes from the front bumper all the way under the engine to the firewall. It is there to reduce noise, but is also smooths out airflow.
     
    #14 JSH, May 24, 2007
  15. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Sounds great! I'll take one!!
     
    #15 TonyPSchaefer, May 24, 2007
  16. darelldd

    darelldd Prius is our Gas Guzzler

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 24 2007, 08:53 PM) [snapback]449584[/snapback]</div>
    You can have mine for cheap. Silver one, three up from the bottom. Runs great. Slight cosmetic damage. I think it even has a better Cd now than when it was new. Less frontal area certainly.

    [​IMG]
     
    #16 darelldd, May 25, 2007
  17. Sticman

    Sticman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 23 2007, 10:41 PM) [snapback]448742[/snapback]</div>
    I'd like to ask, "what about this one?"
    http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive...rs/4212545.html
    We don't know, of course, but its "still in the running", isn't it?
    Thanks.
     
    #17 Sticman, May 25, 2007
  18. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    I like the Honda FCX design but the grill is way too big and it doesn't have wheel skirts. I wonder what the underside looks like and what the Cd is.
     
    #18 JSH, May 25, 2007
  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Sticman @ May 24 2007, 10:54 PM) [snapback]449637[/snapback]</div>
    Not sure. Might be an evolution from the green concept in the link in my first post.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jhinton @ May 24 2007, 08:44 PM) [snapback]449580[/snapback]</div>
    Camry is 0.27 for the SE model.
    As I said, LS430 is 0.25 with air suspension.

    So yeah, it's among good company haha. Mazda3 is 0.31 (with 17" alloys), NSX is 0.30.
     
    #19 Tideland Prius, May 25, 2007
  20. JSH

    JSH Senior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 25 2007, 10:58 AM) [snapback]449774[/snapback]</div>
    The Mazda 3 may have a Cd of 0.31 but it also is a real wagon, not a hatchback so a lot more stuff will fit in the cargo area for the size of the vehicle and it only pays a 4% penalty for the versatility. Like I said, Toyota could do a lot better, the Precept was 10% better than the Prius and still holds 5 people.
     
    #20 JSH, May 25, 2007
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