Strange. The video was Published on Feb 15, 2017, at the same time when Prius PHV (Japanese name for Prius Prime) went on sale in Japan. Maybe this is the car currently sold in Japan, which is I thought essentially the same as 2017 Prius Prime sold in US?
Umm, that's just some YouTube bot reposting old stuff (so many of those around...) That's the Japanese reveal of the Prius PHV (Prime). 42.2 miles is the official Japanese rating of the Prime.
if it did, they could eliminate the hatch door, because it would be entirely useless, instead of partially.
I've contacted several Toyota dealers asking if they can confirm (or deny) that the EV range will increase on the 2018 Prius Prime model. Two weeks later and not a single dealer has responded, (one way or the other). My guess is, if word got out that the 2018 Prime does have better EV range, and/or if it has other improvements or features, the 2017 Prime's would be harder to sell, so perhaps dealers are playing their cards close to the vest. But it should be too much longer and we'll know if the 18's have any improvements.
I see no reason why Toyota would increase the range at this time. They can't make the Prime fast enough as it is. In a couple more model years, I'd bet there will be another doubling of the range, but not only one year in.
I am fascinated that you think independent Toyota Dealers know any more about Toyota's future plans than you or I do. They are not employees of Toyota, they are just franchise holders.
Heck, my dealer knew absolutely nothing about the Prime, whatsoever, even after seeing several going out of their dealership.
