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Exclusive: 2012 MY Prius - Changes and Additions

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Danny, Aug 26, 2011.

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  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Toyota updated the 2nd Generation Prius for the 2006 MY (model year) following 2 wildly successful years, adding features like an upgraded MFD screen, an option for leather, and new color choices. The 3rd Generation Prius launched as a 2010 model and has also been extremely successful for Toyota, leading to the creation of a whole Prius Family. According to our well-placed insider, the 2012 MY Prius will follow in the footsteps of the 2nd Generation and receive what Toyota calls a "mid-cycle refresh", with exterior styling, package, and color changes. What changes are in store? I think you'll like what you see below. First of all, the image we have of the 2012 Prius Plug-In production model is likely very similar to the exterior changes coming to the 2012 Prius. A new front fascia incorporates DRLs while moving the fog lamps back to the lower grille area (like in the 2nd Gen Prius). The rear of the Prius also gets updated with new tail lights, presumably still LED. No photos are available of the rear of the 2012 Plug-In yet, but I think it's safe to assume that the lights will be very similar on both cars. The Prius will include a backup camera as standard equipment in 2012. And a back-up camera requires a pretty screen to view the video on, so all models will now include a minimum 6.1-inch touchscreen, replacing the current audio system. The upper-end models will receive an upgrade to a higher-resolution 7-inch touchscreen, identical to the system found in the higher-end model Prius v, and the Prius 5 finally even gets the HUD that has been present across the world for years. Color choices are going to change slightly for 2012. The Blue Ribbon Metallic color will be replaced by Nautical Blue, a color currently used on other Toyota models. The 2012 MY Prius will also replace the Sandy Beach Metallic with Sea Glass, a new color for Toyota. I'm told it will be a greenish color, so Toyota may have taken inspiration from the Martha Stewart paint color below. [​IMG] Interested in the new packaging of the various Prius models? Here is a breakdown of the new models:
    • Prius 2: Exterior refreshes, DRLs, Display Audio: 6.1-inch touch screen audio system with integrated backup camera, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology.
    • Prius 3: Prius 2 equipment, plus 3-door Smart Key; Upgraded Display Audio with Navigation and EntuneTM* includes: 6.1-inch touch screen with integrated backup camera display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, SiriusXMTM Satellite Radio (includes 90 day trial subscription) HD RadioTM with iTunes® Tagging, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings, hand-free phone capability, phonebook access, advanced voice recognition, text to voice with programmed and customizable text responses, and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless. *Entune - includes BingTM, iheartradio, MovieTickets.com, Open Table® and Pandora®, real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports, stocks, and news. All EntuneTM features are included in three years of access to EntuneTM services
      • Optional: Solar Sunroof
    • Prius 4: Prius 3 equipment, plus Softex (a non-leather leather, just like in the Prius v), Power Seat, Upgraded Display Audio with Navigation and EntuneTM* includes: 6.1-inch touch screen with integrated backup camera display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, six speakers, SiriusXMTM Satellite Radio (includes 90 day trial subscription) HD RadioTM with iTunes® Tagging, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod® connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings, hand-free phone capability, phonebook access, advanced voice recognition, text to voice with programmed and customizable text responses, and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless.
      • Optional: Solar Sunroof w/ upgraded Premium HDD Navigation with Entune* and JBL® includes: seven-inch touch/split-screen with integrated backup camera display, AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, eight JBL GreenEdgeTM speakers with amplifier, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (includes 90-day trial subscription) and SiriusXM Data Services (includes three-year trial subscription) with NavTraffic®, NavWeatherTM, Fuel and Sports and Stocks; HD Radio with iTunes Tagging, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod connectivity and control, vehicle information, hands-free phone capability, phone book access, advanced voice recognition, text to voice with programmed and customizable text responses, and music streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology.
    • Prius 5: Everything in a Prius 4 plus the 17" wheels. I assume the Premium HDD Navigation with Entune but do not have confirmation.
      • Optional: Advanced Technology Package including Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Sytem, Lane Keep Assist. AT Package adds HUD (Heads-Up Display); Advanced Parking Guidance System has been REMOVED for 2012
    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Danny, Aug 26, 2011
    19 people like this.
  2. HI MPG

    HI MPG Active Member

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    Thanks for the info Danny. I like the addition of the Entune HDD system and HUD, just wish they would make it available across the spectrum.
     
    #2 HI MPG, Aug 26, 2011
  3. StuffOnARock

    StuffOnARock Member

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    Great info! Thanks! Getting more excited. :)
     
    #3 StuffOnARock, Aug 26, 2011
  4. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    No Sunroof with premium nav as an option to the 5?
     
    #4 ksstathead, Aug 26, 2011
  5. JeffyJosephNorCal

    JeffyJosephNorCal Formerly JeffyJosephNCa

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    They listened and finally added power seats! If only it was already on the 2010 :p
     
    #5 JeffyJosephNorCal, Aug 26, 2011
  6. SiRealiUS

    SiRealiUS New Member

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    Thanks for the new info, Danny.


    The sunroof wasn't an option for the 5 for 2011 MY, either, if I'm not mistaken. Not sure when it's been offered in the past.
     
    #6 SiRealiUS, Aug 26, 2011
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    I'm guessing they ran into the same weight issues (potential EPA fuel economy rating downrating?) of 17" wheels on the 5 in conjunction w/the sunroof that they did with the '10 and '11.
    Wow, I totally missed that.

    I'm glad a touchscreen LCD has been brought back to all models and that you don't have to go to model 4 (and leather) for 3-door SKS. I am curious about the price delta between model 2 and 3 though. With the touchscreen, I wonder if that means some of the MID functions will be mirrored onto the LCD and whether we'll refer to it as the the MFD now.

    That is too bad that the IPA/park assist is being removed. Oh well.

    I also wonder what the prices will look like for the 2012 models...
     
    #7 cwerdna, Aug 26, 2011
  8. joe1347

    joe1347 Active Member

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    Oh well. No 16" alloy wheels or 4-wheel independent suspension. Maybe there at least might be a better set of wheel covers

    Good choice of upgrades for the II. wonder if the base price will stay unchanged?
     
    #8 joe1347, Aug 26, 2011
  9. StuffOnARock

    StuffOnARock Member

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    I wonder what the new color will look like. I'd love an obnoxious green, but that's probably not going to happen... not with the Prius. ;) I'd guess it's like the swatch or the metallic silvery green color of the previous generations...

    Nautical Blue looks a lot like Blue Ribbon from what pictures I can see... can anyone describe the difference? :)

    I like the 3 door smart key on the 3...
     
    #9 StuffOnARock, Aug 26, 2011
  10. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Hooray for the DRLs. I say boo on the stereo if it ups the price, but my wife likes the idea of standard backup camera because "you can't see for shit".
     
    #10 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Aug 27, 2011
  11. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Since I haven't seen any other Toyota in a blue that's as good as Blue Ribbon, I presume the main difference is that it doesn't look as good.
     
    #11 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Aug 27, 2011
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    So they sacrificed some wow factor (Intelligent Parking Assist) for a more useful feature in terms of everyday driving (HUD).

    I'm not a fan of pastel green colors.
     
    #12 32kcolors, Aug 27, 2011
  13. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    parking assist gone


    i guess they finally figured out that if you need parking assist you shouldn't be driving
     
    #13 SlowTurd, Aug 27, 2011
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  14. SmogSlide

    SmogSlide Member

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    That's very true... (admittedly I never use the IPA in practise but only for demo) However, there are a lot of car manufacturers adopting this technology, e.g. Ford Focus and VW Golf are 2 that comes to mind. Not sure what are they thinking?! :confused:
     
    #14 SmogSlide, Aug 27, 2011
  15. SlowTurd

    SlowTurd I LIKE PRIUS'S

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    aging population
     
    #15 SlowTurd, Aug 27, 2011
  16. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Probably just because they can and for marketing purposes (they're big on advertising this feature on the lowly Focus). However, it won't last in the long term due to limited usefulness, as evident by Toyota's getting rid of IPA in favor of HUD in the Prius.
     
    #16 32kcolors, Aug 27, 2011
  17. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    I agree completely with that but, car manufacturers are like people, sometimes they have insecurity issues.
    Here is Audi a few years back saying his drivers know how to park their vehicles, parking behind a Lexus LS. Next video shows Audi self park now. Hybrids were also heavily criticized.
    Audi A4 Parking commercial - YouTube

     
    #17 Sergiospl, Aug 27, 2011
  18. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    If you live in a place where you have to parallel park regularly a good system could be very useful. But to be useful it has to be better than the driver. "Better than the driver" is the hard part, especially when a short turning circle and a back-up camera would make manual parallel parking easier.

    Everything I've read suggest Ford's system is advertised heavily because it is easy to use and good.
     
    #18 ItsNotAboutTheMoney, Aug 27, 2011
  19. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    No, I don't believe that. I can skip the pre-support system and park nearly as fast (except for the speed for pulling in) as if I were to park myself, but that still doesn't make it practical.
     
    #19 32kcolors, Aug 27, 2011
  20. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    One of the interesting qualities of sea glass is the cloudy matte finish. I would love to see them try to duplicate that, but I suspect we will just get shiny.
     
    #20 Corwyn, Aug 27, 2011
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