2016 Toyota Prius (photos, specifications, Cd 0.24)

[oldtamiyaphile]

I think the extra motor is to address the very aggressive TC that's been hereto required to protect the MG's. The slightest amount of wheel spin and the car dies completely for about 1/4 of a second. People in snowy areas have complained that it makes the car completely immobile on snow/ ice. With hybirds accounting for 30% of Toyota's European sales, fixing the issue would make sense.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile

Hang on did we miss the part about 90mpg (imp)? If true that's a huge jump.

"About 10% better" than the 3rd generation is the official word. That's on the US EPA tests.

[Daox]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It is not odd to offer only 15 miles of EV range. Why spend more money on having a larger battery that rarely gets 100% used when you can spend much less money on a smaller battery that often gets 100% usage on every trip?

I suppose I do agree with you on this. I rather do not agree with the price premium Toyota has on the PIP. Currently, the base Prius starts at $24,200 where as the PIP starts at $29,990 (before any tax incentives/rebates). Paying $6k (24% more) for 11 EV miles in my mind is crazy. Yes, I realize it has more options, but its still a silly jump from 50 mpg to 11 miles EV + 50 mpg. At that price point, the Volt's current price of $34,170 (before any tax incentives/rebates) makes more sense IMO. I think a lot of buyers would agree and thus why the Volt is way outselling the PIP. The 2016 Volt largely improves on the 1st gen, so this gap will widen IMO unless Toyota can keep their cost at a reasonable level.

[MetroMPG]

At a $6k differential, buy a regular Prius plus a 5 year-old Mitsu iMiev with 50 mile range.

[NeilBlanchard]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

It is not odd to offer only 15 miles of EV range. Why spend more money on having a larger battery that rarely gets 100% used when you can spend much less money on a smaller battery that often gets 100% usage on every trip?

Since the Prius already has a very efficient gasoline motor, it makes sense to use a small battery. If I wanted a car that would cover 100% of my commute and around town errands on electricity alone, I would purchase an EV.

The PiP was never going to have a 30 EV mile range. It goes against the design principle I mentioned above. Ford hit the EV range sweet-spot in my opinion. 20 miles range gets close to covering most trips while minimizing the expense and weight of a larger battery that would not be utilized in most cases.

AWD does seem unecessary, but I'm curious to see how the drive train is different than the previous design. Obviously it is efficient since Toyota shoots for a 10% mpg improvement for each new generation.

Strange to see that Toyota is going with NiMH again when they were considering phasing it out with the 3rd generation Prius.

I think it is fine to haul around a bigger battery, and the problem is having to haul around big ICE and gas tank. 20 miles of EV range doesn't even do my relatively short commute. I think 30 miles is barely enough, and the new Volt at 50 miles even is not enough EV range.

[MetroMPG]

Reminder/context:

Average daily vehicle use in the U.S.

average of 4.2 trips, yielding a weighted average daily distance of 39.5 miles.

Can EVs handle the distances we drive? • A Study

[oldtamiyaphile]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

"About 10% better" than the 3rd generation is the official word. That's on the US EPA tests.

18% on the EU cycle. Down from 3.9 to 3.2l/100km (combined)

ICE thermal efficiency is now 40%.

2016 Toyota Prius technical details revealed in Frankfurt

[gone-ot]

Sounds like "Henry Ford" interior color selection: cool grey or black...end of selection.

[Vman455]

There's some speculation as to whether the e-4WD on the new Prius is actually a thing; that Autoexpress article is the only news source to mention it, and they pulled their info from the Toyota press kit that covers the Prius, new RAV4 hybrid (which introduces "E-Four" electric AWD), and C-HR. There's no mention of it under the Prius section, along with a paucity of other technical information.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Daox

Paying $6k (24% more) for 11 EV miles in my mind is crazy. Yes, I realize it has more options, but its still a silly jump from 50 mpg to 11 miles EV + 50 mpg. At that price point, the Volt's current price of $34,170 (before any tax incentives/rebates) makes more sense IMO.

I agree with you on this too. It seems Toyota is pocketing the hefty price difference between the regular and plug-in version of the Prius. People would be crazy to get the PiP over the new Volt, which might also be a factor in why Toyota decided to halt production. From what I've read, the new Volt is a hit.

In February I paid $13k for my PiP with 35,000 miles on it. It was in a prior accident and had a reconstructed title. Not a single issue with it so far and averaging 60 MPG. I'd never pay for a new PiP, but apparently HOV access makes them appealing to those with money.

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I think it is fine to haul around a bigger battery, and the problem is having to haul around big ICE and gas tank.

You are describing an EV, not a hybrid like the PiP. If you already have an efficient ICE, then it doesn't make any sense to lug around the extra battery capacity. I'll eventually replace my Acura, because as you point out, dragging around an ICE sucks. My family will then have an efficient car for long trips and an efficient car for commuting/errand running.

What really doesn't make sense is EVs with 200+ miles of EV range. It's not practical to expect to go cross-country in an EV. Either trade vehicles with a friend for the trip, or have 1 of the cars in a multi-car family have an ICE.

People have the unrealistic requirement of EVs having all of the benefits of conventional cars with no additional drawbacks, when in reality it's a different tool for a different job.

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Reminder/context:

Average daily vehicle use in the U.S.

Which averages out to less than 10 miles per trip; within the PiP range. Ford's 20 mile range should get closer to covering those trips that go a little further.