New plug-in 2017 Prius Prime: 22 miles EV range; 84 MPH EV mode; ugly

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by sendler

Maybe one of the resident aerodynamicists can tell us why so many new car designs feature those gaping feux scoop nostrils in the front.

Not an aero expert, but my understanding is that it creates a high pressure zone that partially mitigates turbulence caused by the front wheel wells - a "virtual" front wheel skirt.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Wasn't the lack of a 5th seat among the main complaints of conservative customers about the early Volt? Anyway, it does surprise me that Toyota sacrificed seating space instead of trunk space in the new plug-in Prius.

They lost some trunk space, too, raising the floor a bit to make room for a battery in the spare tire well, according to the admins at Priuschat who were at the reveal.

[rmay635703]

Originally Posted by Vman455

They lost some trunk space, too, raising the floor a bit to make room for a battery in the spare tire well, according to the admins at Priuschat who were at the reveal.

Too bad the plug in didn't take the increased length and wheelbase of the prius V and just use it to add seating room and a better taper to the rear of the car.

I would rather see the car much more efficient than the regular gen IV, not just meet expectations, but I guess that's why I own a volt, I can stay in EV mode almost all the time, a PIP Gen I or II would not.

Ah well.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by sendler

Maybe one of the resident aerodynamicists can tell us why so many new car designs feature those gaping feux scoop nostrils in the front.

In Toyota's case, they're there to "train" our future aesthetic sense.

They're trying to normalize the look of the Mirai, because big-a$$, aero-destroying grilles are more necessary on hydrogen vehicles. Which is where Toyota wants to be in the future instead of in EV's.

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...rag-32756.html

[NeilBlanchard]

The decision to put cup holders in place of a fifth seat is bizarre - the e-Golf has a fold down thingie that lets you choose between 5 seats, cup holders or a center armrest.

Apparently the new PiP (they really don't like to use "plugin" in the name, do they?) has a CFR hatch, and an aluminum hood.

[Xist]

Why don't they make bumpers anymore?

I thought ridiculously-oversized grills\etc. were en vogue.

Why did my \thanks button disappear after post ten? Am I not Canadian enough?

Metro, thanks for posting the link.

[redpoint5]

The car looks fine; better than the standard gen 4 Prius. Besides, I spend less than 1% of my time looking at the car from the outside compared with the amount of time spent inside, which makes me wonder why they removed the 5th seat. It was unnecessary and inexcusable considering the Volt is a smaller vehicle but has a greater EV range and 5 seats. A big reason to choose Prius over Volt is greater utility. Another reason is higher gasoline efficiency. Lets not forget price.

The Prime had better impress us on affordability instead of relying on the corrupt practice of stealing HOV access.

[Vman455]

Should we take bets on starting price? I'm going to guess...$31,900 base, $35,900 Touring-or-whatever-they-decide-to-call-it.

[Daox]

Well, considering how well the 3rd gen PiP sold, they better do something amazing, and the only thing yet to unveil is the price so... I'd like to see under 30k. I am not super hopeful for that though.