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True Prius minivan (seats 7~8 people) any time soon?

Discussion in 'Prius v Main Forum' started by 2009Prius, Sep 13, 2011.

  1. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    We may be replacing our minivan in a couple of years. Prius V would be good but a larger version like a real minivan would be the best. Is such a model coming in the next few years?
     
  2. dipper

    dipper Senior Member

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    Maybe by 2020?

    Toyota and Ford is working on hybrid system for hybrids, so maybe waiting on this system to mature?

    I got tired of waiting, and got a 2011 Sienna.
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Toyota said 10 new hybrids by 2015.
     
  4. pfjmarina

    pfjmarina Junior Member

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    I'd love to see a hybrid mini-van too. Unfortunately by 2020 we won't need one anymore!:D

    A few years ago Chrysler had plans for a hybrid version of the Caravan. That plan apparently died when Chrysler got bought out by Fiat.
     
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Here is the surprising information about the 7 seater Prius+ (using Lithium HV battery) announced in Europe.

    CO2 emission is rated 99 g/km. That's lower than the Iconic Prius rated at 104 g/km. EPA rates the Iconic Prius as 46 MPG (combined). Does that mean if Prius+ is available in US, it can get over 46 MPG?

    Prius v wagon 5 seater with NiMh is rated 42 MPG by EPA.
     
  6. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    It can't happen until marketing figures how to call it something that it is ... without using the nasty minivan word.
    :fear:
     
  7. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Per publications they are working on adopting the EPA hydraulic hybrid system, which has the higher capacity/recovery rate then HEV in Prius.
     
  8. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    The problem is a true, full size hybrid minivan will cost too much to be marketable in the US.
    A Sienna is ranging from $35K to $45K, so a hybrid version will be $42K- $50K+.
     
  9. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    How is "minivan" a nasty word? :confused:
     
  10. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    He means "minivan" is out of fashion, the in thing is "SUV".

     
  11. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Chrysler/Fiat quality and 5,000 psi+ pressure hydraulics. Now, that's a winning combination:D
     
  12. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    They are not mini anymore.
     
  13. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Crossover. A friend was at a Toyota dealership and a salesperson told them that Toyota were bringing out a Prius crossover.

    I kid you not.
     
  14. bedrock8x

    bedrock8x Senior Member

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    A "crossover" is just a station wagon. Same out of fashion, marketing gave it a new name.


     
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  15. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    LOL I thought SUV is the evil of the 21st century.
     
  16. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    we had a Chrysler minivan for 14 years and I swore not to get another Chrysler product. Tranny rebuild 3 times, 250$ rear wheel bearing assembly, shocks to last 50K, broken drive axle, cracked head (factory QA goof), A/C loosing charge due to 50cent O-ring, radiator replaced twice, spontaneous cooling system discharge..

    guess what? got another 2 years later. despite all quality issues, cheesy plastics and reliability problems it is still the most practical minivan.