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Hybrid Sienna???

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by edrum, Dec 14, 2004.

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  1. edrum

    edrum New Member

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    I've been reading at this web site

    http://www.hybridcars.com/toyota-sienna-mi...van-hybrid.html

    that Toyota is planning on releasing a hybrid version of their Sienna minivan in late 05. Is this true? Has anyone else heard this? I am in the market for a new minivan next fall, and if I could get another hybrid I'd jump on it.

    The info they give on it's features are great. I especially like the fact that the rear wheels would have electric motors making it 4 wheel drive. That's a great idea and a good lead in for when they eventually get rid of the ICE.

    I would love to see it, however I'm not holding my breath. And no, I don't want an SUV, hybrid or not.
     
    #1 edrum, Dec 14, 2004
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I'm not sure. Given that Sienna uses the same 3MZ-FE engine as the RX and Highlander V6, I wouldn't be surprised if it showed up in the Sienna. Again, as far as we know, the next few hybrids after the RX & Highlander are the Camry, Corolla, and LS430. With Honda's i-VTEC 3.5 litre V6 with VCM, I'd think Toyota would be wise to drop in HSD in the Sienna really really soon =)
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Dec 14, 2004
  3. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    A Hybrid Sienna could very well earn a place in our driveway. While we enjoy driving 2 Prius, a larger vehicle may be required for child transport (especially if we grow a third) and other general utility. Being able to keep within a hybrid lifestyle would be desirable, and neither of us want any resembilance of an SUV in our driveway.

    I'd rather see a 4 cylinder + Hybrid arrangement rather than a performance hybrid solution though. Check into the Japaneese Estima and see how they went about it.
     
    #3 HTMLSpinnr, Dec 15, 2004
  4. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    I think that is the design used in the Highlander Hybrid 4WD.
     
    #4 bruceha_2000, Dec 15, 2004
  5. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    I have always been under the impression that Toyota plans to have their entire fleet available with hybrid options in the upcoming years. At one point, I heard 2007. Then have an entirely hybrid fleet some years after that. So it doesn't surprise me to hear when they are planning to convert (adapt) another of their vehicles as a hybrid model.

    In fact, I'm really proud of them to taking the lead and cranking out the hybrid vehicles in all shapes and sizes.
    Prius Sedan
    Highlander SUV
    Sienna Minivan
    High-end (Lexus) SUV

    This is my new retort for those who claim that they can't buy the Prius because they need a minivan
     
    #5 TonyPSchaefer, Dec 15, 2004
  6. edrum

    edrum New Member

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    I have two requirements that a hybrid Sienna would have to meet. The first and most important is that it needs the power to pull my popup camper. My V6 Caravan can and the current Sienna includes the tow package as standard. I expect the same from a hybrid Sienna. Since the electric motor has great low end torque, this shouldn't be much of an issue as long as the vehicle can keep highway speeds on moderate hills pulling it.

    The second requirement is that it needs good interior space. There are times I take all the back seats out of the Caravan so that I can get some large item home. That's not something I could ever do with an SUV. Also some items just don't fit upright in an SUV.

    When I replace the Caravan (none too soon) I'd like to go with a hybrid minivan, preferably the Sienna or whatever they end up calling it. Otherwise I'll just have to settle with the standard Sienna.
     
    #6 edrum, Dec 15, 2004
  7. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    It seems that much of the news related to the hybrid Sienna is old. For example, the article on hybrid.com suggested Toyota would launch the hybrid vesion in late 2005. However, they did not have anything to show at either the LA or the Detorit Auto Show, arguably the two most important shows in the U.S.

    Has anyone heard anything more recent about Toyota's plans for other hybrid models. Their management keeps talking about making it available in more models but they are not taking advantage of the spotlight they are enjoying with the international media.

    Any feedback would be appreciated.
     
    #7 Fuel Man, Jan 18, 2005
  8. bookrats

    bookrats New Member

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    #8 bookrats, Jan 18, 2005
  9. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    #9 tag, Jan 18, 2005
  10. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    Thanks for the article bookrats, this article is pretty good.

    I am familiar with the Japanese Estima, which is not on the same platform as the U.S. Sienna. I think that is the vehicle hybrid.com was referring to. While I think it makes sense to offer a hybrid version of the Sienna and the Tundra in the U.S., I haven't heard anything from source other than hybrid.com.

    Thanks for the input.
     
    #10 Fuel Man, Jan 18, 2005
  11. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    i dont think that Toyota will move all its cars to hybrid status. in an another post here at Priuschat, they said that ongoing research would be conducted for all types of vehicles. i do think that hybrids will soon be availabe in all ranges of car classifications though, including performance cars and pickups.
     
    #11 DaveinOlyWA, Jan 18, 2005
  12. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    Can't help thinking that might account for the delay, specifically that all of Toyota's hybrid models to date have been built in Japan while the Sienna is, AFAIK, built exclusively in the U.S.
     
    #12 tag, Jan 18, 2005
  13. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    That is an excellent point. They will likely wait until they begin producing hybrids in the states before moving into the minivan market.

    Regarding the first vehicle they produce here, I know many people are speculating that it will be the Prius considering the strong demand. However, the Prius is clearly their "global hybrid" that is sold as a hybrid-only. All future models look to be derivatives of a non-hybrid model. Therefroe, I think it may may be the Tundra when they refresh it in the 2007 timeframe, which will allow them to be the first to offer a full hybrid truck and steal GM's thunder before the introduce their full hybrid in 2008.

    What do you think?
     
    #13 Fuel Man, Jan 18, 2005
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's possible. The Toyota FTX was shown as a hybrid V8 truck.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Jan 18, 2005
  15. tag

    tag Senior Member

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    Good thoughts. I mean, you know those folks at Toyota don't want GM, of all manufacturers, to beat them to market with a hybrid pickup.
     
    #15 tag, Jan 19, 2005
  16. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    Maybe a Toyota Hybrid V8 Pickup with their version of cylinder deactivation?
     
    #16 Fuel Man, Jan 19, 2005
  17. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    Regarding learning which hybrid Toyota will produce in the US:

    Toyota to Decide on U.S. Hybrid Vehicle Production by Midyear

    The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Toyota Motor Corporation president Fujio Cho revealed during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI that the company is expected to decide by the middle of this year which hybrid electric vehicle model it will begin producing in the U.S.

    "Without a doubt, we will eventually produce a hybrid model in the United States," said Cho. "We believe hybrids will continue to be the core technology in the future."

    AP noted that Toyota plans to produce 100,000 hybrid electric Priuses for sale in the U.S. this year, with the hybrid Lexus RX sport utility vehicle (SUV) scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in April.
    (AP: 1/11)
     
    #17 Fuel Man, Jan 19, 2005
  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Cylinder Deactivation would only work on the highway. Besides, if the battery pack was powerful enough (seeing that there's more room in a pickup), then why not shut off all 8?
     
    #18 Tideland Prius, Jan 19, 2005
  19. Fuel Man

    Fuel Man New Member

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    As Im sure you know, Toyota's sytem would allow them to shut off the ICE at low speeds. However, to really compete with GM and DaimlerChrysler's (DCX) hybrid they will have to offer a V8 in the Tundra hybrid. Cylinder deactivation would allow them to further boost their mileage ratings while remaining competitve within the truck market.

    GM will begin selling the Tahoe and Yukon full-size SUV's in 2007 and the full-size trucks (Silverado and Sierra) in 2008. Their vehicles will utilize a 5.3L V8 with cylinder deactivation. They revealed their GMC Graphyte at the Detroit Auto Show last week, which features the technology that will be used in their production models. DCX is already using cylinder deactivation in their 5.7L Hemi so I suspect we will see it in their hybrid Ram truck as well, which will likely hit the market in the 2008 timeframe as well.
     
    #19 Fuel Man, Jan 20, 2005
  20. victor

    victor New Member

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    #20 victor, Jan 20, 2005
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