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Slightly Underappreciated Prime?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Tideland Prius, Apr 29, 2017.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yes PC members are aware that 25 miles is a bit short but as the temperatures are warming up, we see Toyota is understating the possible AER if the conditions are right (i.e. they were planning for the worst-case scenario) as members charge toward 30 and 40 miles AER. Even during the winter, we saw ranges only drop to 20-22 miles.

    Between the efficiencies made to the electric motor, PSD and inverter as well as the gas-injected heat pump, I think the Prime fared well as an overall vehicle.

    Why?

    Well let's compare it to a heavy SUV :p.

    2017 BMW X5 40e vs 2017 BMW X5 35i Comparison Test Review

    BMW X5 40e. Never mind the Cdn$74,000 starting price (plus $2,100 destination)

    Rated range: 25 miles
    Winter range (5°C/41°F): 14 miles
    Battery: 9.2kWh
    Charger: ?
    110V Charge Time: 7.5 hours


    Yes it's heavier so it's going to use more electricity to move but it has a larger battery capacity to offset the weight and the rated AER is the same. But look at the hit you take and the temp is still above freezing :eek:. It must also be using a lower rated charger than 3.3kW. That extra size can't possible take an extra 2 hours over the Prime.


    So yes, more AER would be nice, but don't forget all the other improvements Toyota made to ensure you got close to or at least 25 miles all year round. Like Hyundai, it's focused on efficiency.
     
  2. joachimz

    joachimz Senior Member

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    100% agree ... I'm in SoCal so admittedly benefitting from a climate perspective, my EV range currently sits at 42.3, that's actually 68% more than the 25 rating, I'm impressed!
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if only they hadn't shoe horned the battery in.:(
     
  4. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    That's rather short-sighted. Think about what happens with battery energy density...
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hey, i don't even buy green banana's.:cool:
     
  6. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    This is good news. I have a short commute (all street driving, no freeways) and live in a warm climate. In the summer my PiP shows around 16 miles per charge. I wonder what I can expect from my Prime when it arrives?
     
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I never saw anything that high with mine in Minnesota. 13 miles was the top estimate.

    For my Prime, I'm seeing 28 miles currently, despite the near freezing temps. With a single day in the day 60's, that estimate shot up to 32 miles.
     
  8. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Toyota will put in a bigger gas tank for longer range bragging.:)

    The incremental improvements in battery technology aren't going to be big enough for the Prime to get a cargo floor level with that of the Prius, and still retain its current range. At best we'll see what GM did with the gen1 Volt; a small improvement to range without touching any of the car's structure.

    Any changes bigger than that will wait for the next Prime. So calls about things being better in the future doesn't excuse the job Toyota did on the today's Prime.
     
  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    There is nothing to base such an absolute claim upon.
     
  10. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

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    I'm up to 36 now.
     
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  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It already did. The Japanese Prime/PHV has a smaller gas tank. TMS opted to keep the same-sized tank as the Gen 4 for the North American market.

    I'm thinking they'll use any battery improvement to try to reduce the weight to get that 5th passenger option.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i doubt we'll see any change to the battery until the next gen, there's no precedent.
    will 6 years be enough to get the same energy out of a battery that will fit below the hatch floor?
    and will 25 miles be enough for the next prime?
    might be easier to lose the wishbone.
     
  13. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Volt saw its total battery capacity increase for the 2013 model by a whole half kilowatt-hour. If we see such improvement applied to the Prime, the pack might go up to 9.1kWh. Going smaller to save weight would have to be part of other weight savings. Air cooling requires space for the air to flow, so a smaller pack won't save much space from the entire assembly.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's not worth arguing about, since there's only a .000000000000000000001% chance of them doing anything before 2023.:cool:
     
  15. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Huh? There is already a precedent for being flexible. We've witnessed that firsthand. Why such a staunch disregard for adaptation to a rapidly growing market?
     
  16. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yes but it's Toyota we're talking about.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk, i'm just going by history. sure, anything can be done. but why would anyone expect it, or even hold out hope? move on with your life, and enjoy the moment.
    what a sad state of affairs. toyota comes out with a brand new product, and we're already discussing how it can be improved.
    these suggestions are not new, why would they do them after completing the product?
     
  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Why didn't they fore see them coming?
     
  19. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    History has revealed Toyota's willingness to adjust based on how the market responds. Have you already forgotten what happened... several times?

    Ironically, that describes your own actions... still dwelling on what we learned a whole year ago and chose to wait until the next. Focus on the journey. Clear progress is being made.

    Prius is a product continuously being upgraded... without suffering from the Osborne effort. We have always talked about what comes next. It's a platform offering easy next steps and quite a bit of flexibility.

    Remember, the goal is to expand the market. Trying new approaches is a way of doing that. Think about how much people complained about Toyota not taking risks. Clearly, they are now. This thread helps to confirm the stir caused... breaking the status quo.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you serious? i'm still waiting for the upgraded battery for my pip.