Next Gen Prius... Li-Ion? Plug in? Mmmm

[BuddyP]

Can't imagine why they would be thinking of ditching the NiMh batteries?!

http://www.nextautos.com/next-gen-prius-sp...34#gallery-9675

While we’ve seen images of a Toyota test mule for the next generation Prius hybrid already, that earlier test vehicle was little more than a powertrain mule built from the current model with a new front fascia attached. These new images reveal much more; the very first look at the all new, next generation Prius.

The images confirm the rumors that the Prius would be growing in exterior dimensions – the car seen here is both longer and wider than today’s version – meaning more usable space for backseat passengers and trunk storage. Toyota is said to be giving the Prius a power hike as well, supplying the car with better performance in addition to its beefier body. While one might expect that a larger more powerful car would indicate an attendant drop in fuel efficiency, we’re told that the new Prius will be even more fuel efficient than the old one. That’s a viable claim considering the pressure Toyota must be under to improve the vaunted mpg numbers for its green halo car.

One of the ways in which Toyota will pull off this trick new packaging is by replacing the current car’s nickel-metal hydride batteries with smaller lithium-ion units. Reported solar panels on the roof also seem to be for real.

Look for the Prius to start a family in this generation as well, with possible station wagon and convertible variants reportedly on the table.

Scroll down for the spy shooter’s own words on the next gen Prius and be sure to browse through our gallery of exclusive images above.

The world’s most popular Hybrid car, the Toyota Prius is getting a new look, and here are the first photos of it.

Caught earlier as a mule, with the new front welded to the old body, these are the very first photos of the completely new car.

Except for the fact that the new Prius has grown, and is now longer and wider, especially the rear seat passengers have gotten more space, and the boot is bigger, rumors are talking about a whole family of Prius models. That means that we also will see a station wagon and maybe even a convertible with the Prius badge.

Insiders in Japan are talking about more power and yet still better fuel economy. There might even be a plug-in version this time which will be even more fuel efficient.

Other news that Toyota is working with, is that they will change the NiMh batteries for lighter and smaller Li-ion batteries. The Li-ion will not just make it possibly to load some more stuff in the boot because they are smaller, no, it will make the Prius faster as well.

Other news about the Prius: the roof will get solar cells to power the air-condition, and it will also be built in a new plant in Mississippi, USA. So when you look under the next generation Toyota Prius, it could stand: Made in USA, underneath.

Edited August 5, 2008 by BuddyP

[FUTURE_OF_GM]

So when you look under the next generation Toyota Prius, it could stand: Made in USA, underneath.

That's the funniest sh*t I've heard all morning!!!

Maybe he meant "assembled in the USA by citizens who aren't intelligent or concious enough to create anything anymore but instead are used as disposable labor for the REAL world leaders."

Remember: Americans can't even make beer anymore.

[Intrepidation]

Nice to see Toyota playing catch up for a change.

[enzl]

Nice to see Toyota playing catch up for a change.

With who?

The Prius is about 100X more likely to be introduced, on time, into consumers hands--not a limited intro leasing scenario that is now being floated for the first 100s of Volts to trickle out.

GM has again shown the PR skills of a amateur--Toyota will completely steal their thunder---and GM has noone to blame but themselves.

[loki]

Remember: Americans can't even make beer anymore.

Coors?

that quote is quite stupid though.

[gm4life]

Could it get any uglier?

[siegen]

That's the funniest sh*t I've heard all morning!!!

Maybe he meant "assembled in the USA by temp workers who aren't intelligent or concious enough to create anything anymore but instead are used as disposable labor for the REAL world leaders."

Remember: Americans can't even make beer anymore.

Corrected. ;-]

[frogger]

Could it get any uglier?

Its just ugly enough so that the people driving them don't need huge HYBRID badges to brag about their hybrid habit.

I won't be the least bit surprised if Toyota comes out with a mass market available plugin model befor the Volt is available for purchase by anyone.

Honda may steal a good chunk of their thunder with their next round of hybrids though.

[gm4life]

I hope Honda will and the Volt will too.

[Northstar]

A convertible version of the Prius? I'd like to see that, it'd be hilarious.

[Dragon]

Coors?

that quote is quite stupid though.

50% owned by Canadians :wink:

Edited August 6, 2008 by Dragon

[Dragon]

Can't imagine why they would be thinking of ditching the NiMh batteries?!

http://www.nextautos.com/next-gen-prius-sp...34#gallery-9675

i can't tell if you're serious, but if you are, its the same reason GM is putting Li-Ion in the Volt, they are more compact last longer and have more current capacity

didn't think was anything new though. they've been saying the next-gen would be li-ion for a while

[BuddyP]

i can't tell if you're serious, but if you are, its the same reason GM is putting Li-Ion in the Volt, they are more compact last longer and have more current capacity

didn't think was anything new though. they've been saying the next-gen would be li-ion for a while

I was being sarcastic... I only see Toyota doing this because of the Volt.

[aaaantoine]

Solar panels?

It's about time a car manufacturer introduces this into production cars.

[GXT]

I was being sarcastic... I only see Toyota doing this because of the Volt.

And the Volt only "exists" because of the Prius, ipso facto Toyota would be putting Li-Ion batteries in the Prius because of themselves

Seriously, I believe Toyota had hoped to put Li-ion batteries in the Prius long before the PRVolt concept debuted with a couple of lead-acid car batteries, a container of detergent, and a hefty dose of PR thereby technologically catapulting GM ahead of Toyota. But seeing as how the Prius is going to be a volume product available shortly they had to go with something that could be produced and at a cost-effective price. That meant Li-Ion had to wait. The Volt is only now starting to be constrained by reality.

[BuddyP]

And the Volt only "exists" because of the Prius, ipso facto Toyota would be putting Li-Ion batteries in the Prius because of themselves

Seriously, I believe Toyota had hoped to put Li-ion batteries in the Prius long before the PRVolt concept debuted with a couple of lead-acid car batteries, a container of detergent, and a hefty dose of PR thereby technologically catapulting GM ahead of Toyota. But seeing as how the Prius is going to be a volume product available shortly they had to go with something that could be produced and at a cost-effective price. That meant Li-Ion had to wait. The Volt is only now starting to be constrained by reality.

The Volt exists because of the EV1, you could probably almost say the Prius might even exist because of the EV1?

[CARBIZ]

The Volt exists because of the EV1, you could probably almost say the Prius might even exist because of the EV1?

Don't grace his posts with a reply. It's one thing to criticize; quite another to harp. Some people only have a single original thought in their life and need to get mileage out of it.

[Drew Dowdell]

And the Volt only "exists" because of the Prius, ipso facto Toyota would be putting Li-Ion batteries in the Prius because of themselves

Seriously, I believe Toyota had hoped to put Li-ion batteries in the Prius long before the PRVolt concept debuted with a couple of lead-acid car batteries, a container of detergent, and a hefty dose of PR thereby technologically catapulting GM ahead of Toyota. But seeing as how the Prius is going to be a volume product available shortly they had to go with something that could be produced and at a cost-effective price. That meant Li-Ion had to wait. The Volt is only now starting to be constrained by reality.

If the Prius only exists because of the Pruis, does that mean the Prius only exists because of the Insight and the Insight only exists because of the EV-1?

[GXT]

The Volt exists because of the EV1, you could probably almost say the Prius might even exist because of the EV1?

I'm not sure that follows. The Prius went on sale in1997 and the EV1 in 1996. That is fairly close time-wise yet they are fairly different approaches.

I believe both GM and Toyota were acting in response to pressures/opportunities in their home countries, not each other.

Edited December 2, 2008 by GXT

[GXT]

Don't grace his posts with a reply. It's one thing to criticize; quite another to harp. Some people only have a single original thought in their life and need to get mileage out of it.

I have a (second?) original idea. Why don't you compile a list about all the ways I was right about the volt and all the ways I was wrong? Then compare that to the opinions of the Yes-men and then see who you should criticize for lack of original thought?

If you don't want to take the time to look at other threads, why don't you just point out what is wrong with my post #15 in this thread?

Edited December 2, 2008 by GXT