Independent Rear Suspension for the Gen 3 Prius?
 

My 2011 has a beam suspension in the rear. I've heard the new Priuses are built on the Camry chassis. Has anyone looked into replacing the beam in the rear of a Gen 3 Prius with independent suspension? Maybe from a Corolla?

The Corolla has a torsion beam rear suspension too.

The 2016- Prius and 2018- Camry are the first vehicles built on Toyota's TNGA (Toyota New Generation Architecture) platform, which is eventually supposed to underpin all their cars.

Trying to retrofit an independent suspension would be prohibitively expensive if it works at all.

What would you hope to gain from doing an independent suspension? The torsion beam suspension handles well enough (my Ion Redline can average almost 100mph on public roads, bumps corners and all) and I think that the independent setup might be less aerodynamic when viewed as a retrofit... it’s main advantage would be in RWD where you could get better traction off the line and in a corner(as far as putting power down)

Why? :confused:

My Dasher has a beam axle as well. I'd sooner put a wing on it flying seven inches off the ground, in the underbody flow, so that it adds downforce directly, instead of having it absorbed by the suspension.

Just seems the beam axle belongs on a 1985 Plymouth Horizon. Isn't there good reason for multi link rear suspension? Or am I just being stupid (Go ahead, say it.):confused:

It isn't you that's stupid it's the question. :) sorry...

Ask why Toyota went independent, eventually. Possibly

ride comfort
modularity
anti dive/anti squat
marketing

Is the ride and handling inadequate?

OK, Now I know it's not a beam axle. That's just the housing for the independent torsion bars. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjYoNL4g5Vg