UK Features & Options round up

UK Specs are up - EXCLUSIVE - Full UK specs and prices for the next Prius! | Toyota UK news, reviews, video and pictures | Today Tomorrow

And there are still unanswered questions:

Is the remote air con only available with the solor roof (as in the US?)
The pricing suggest metallic paint is free - I’m sure this isnt so!
No mention of LED lights - I assume we aren’t getting them in the UK. Shame.
No mention of turn indicators on the mirrors (as seen on the Euro and Jap cars but not the US).

 

Overall I have to say I'm pretty disappointed, I thought they might at least make some of the tech from other regions (pre-crash/radar-based cruise control etc.) optional on the T-Spirit.

I guess I was also assuming we'd be able to get something like the iPod/iPhone connector the Americans can, or maybe even the upcoming USB add-on they're going to be able to buy, though they've probably figured that the HDD-based system on the T-Spirit is a good replacement.

Having said that, seeing as I'm pretty cynical about car companies when it comes to UI/hardware design, I'm rather disbelieving of the idea that it'll be much good in practice. To me, the likelihood that it won't require those of us who already have our music in digital formats to re-rip everything, and to burn CDs for music we've purchased online, is incredibly low.

Although I can't quite figure out if the lights are LED on the first photo, it does appear to be a T-Spirit (as it has the solar roof), and clearly does have turn indicators on the mirrors.

Toyota UK Press Release

 

The headlight-levelling may be a giveaway. Automatic on T Spirit, manual on T3 and T4.

Oh well, I wasn't that bothered - a nice-to-have rather than a requirement.

Note that Solar Pack doesn't mention sunroof/moonroof! The pictures may have been correct - solar panel only.

 

The car in those pics clearly show both the signal mirrors and the LED lights. However Simon on the blog has confirmed that we DO get the mirrors with integrated turning signal but we DONT get LED lights.

To be honest when compared with the US spec I would rather have the HUD and HDD Navi. But yes I'm still a little concerned how music is ripped to the HDD, but hopefully the Navi will be easier to keep up to date and faster. Who listens to whole LPs anymore?

At the end of the day I've still ordered a T-Spirit. It will still be a great car for my needs.

 

Looking at the prices Toyota UK targets the Prius for a different group of buyers as for instance the Dutch importer does. UK prices are £18,370 , £19,990 and £21,210 for three models, Dutch prices are €24,990 , €27,990 , €31,290 and €34,290 for four models. No wonder that the most expensive Dutch model is far better equiped than the most expensive UK model.

 

This is true, the most expensive European car is ~£29,578.

Compared to the £21,210 T-Spirit, UK buyers would be outraged to pay an extra £8, 368 for leather, LKA and LED lights.

So before we all start whining(!), the price to feature ratio is still in the UK's favour. The Europeans get more cool features and bragging rights, but they're paying a lot for them.

 

Dutch car please . The most expensive German Prius model is far less expensive.

LKA is not available in Europe AFAIK. The most expensive Dutch model is equipped with almost everything you can think of, except for the JBL speakers. No wonder, because of tax incentives the Prius is a typical company car in the Netherlands. Normally you would have to add 25% of the price of the car to your gross wages if you drive a company car. With a Prius it is only 14%. So for Toyota NL it pays to have a fully loaded top model. I ordered one too.

 

Looks like the UK Press Launch is in Sweden. Not very Eco friendly!

 

Will you be making the trip to the Bullring to have a look?

 

Well just confirm it is actually a UK spec car would be nice. Though I'd imagine by then the Press Kit will be online so we'll finally know. I'm going to wait and go to Bluewater.

I've finally signed the paperwork and paid my deposit. Silver T-Spirit with leather and protection pack.

 

LEDs, and headlamp washers (the small raised rectangles on the bumper below the lamps). Automatic headlamp washers are mandatory on high-output lamps under UN ECE construction regulations - dirt causes extra diffusion of the beam without significantly reducing the output and therefore causes more dazzle for oncoming drivers.

 

See if it also has auto dipping rear view mirror please

Have a great time
Thanks

 

Interesting posts on the UK options being offered on the G3 Prius.

Any guesses on just how many people are likely to order the solar roof option? I honestly cannot see it being a very practical feature in GB, where cloudy days are frequently the norm.