Toyota Wants New Prius to Be America's Next Top Model

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Tideland Prius, Jun 12, 2009.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    TOYOTA CITY, Japan -- Memo to the beleaguered U.S. car industry: As the recession eases, torment from Toyota may increase.

    Designers of the Prius, the curiously shaped hybrid that since 1997 has allowed up-to-the-minute Americans to advertise their eco-correctness, are going after the Average Joe.

    The third-generation Prius is not just for "some special people," said Wahei Hirai, Toyota's managing officer for design. "This is a mainstream car."

    washingtonpost.com
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Jun 12, 2009
  2. snead_c

    snead_c Jam Ma's Car

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    Unfortunately, Toyota forgot to put Average Joe in its new commercials. Perhaps a lot of mainstream "Flower Power" buyers will line up. :rolleyes:
     
    #2 snead_c, Jun 12, 2009
  3. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    This is nitpicking, but I wish Toyota would option in a 16" wheel much like the Gen2 Touring wheel, into the III and IV trims.

    I like that Touring wheel, even with the full plastic covers.
     
    #3 cycledrum, Jun 12, 2009
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    +1. But we do know that the 15" will give better mpg.
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, Jun 12, 2009
  5. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I think those commercials that said "the new Prius is here" make the point well. Since the 2010 Prius looks just like the previous generation, most people will not notice even if they see it on the road. People need to know the new Prius is here. It gets 50 MPG and it has solar panel to cool the cabin. It even warm the cabin by capture excessive heat from the exhaust.

    Capturing energy from braking is the last last old gen technology. It would be nice to point out the Prius captures braking energy 4 times faster than the Honda Insight due to larger and more powerful generator and battery pack. Capturing heat is the next step and it is only available in the new HSD gen (2010 Prius, 2010 HS250h and 2010 RX450h).
     
    #5 usbseawolf2000, Jun 12, 2009
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I thought the Estima Hybrid had EHR
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Jun 12, 2009
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    You are absolutely right. I forgot about that one. EHR was first introduced with the Estima HSD in Japan.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Jun 13, 2009
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