More info on Plug-in Prius
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From: What is G?
More info on Plug-in Prius
Toyota's new-generation plug-in hybrid Prius will be shown for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week, and now we've got some new images and details. As expected, the PHEV Prius will be equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. The hybrid synergy drive system has been upgraded for the PHEV to allow the Prius to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 62 mph for up to 12.5 miles. The car can apparently accelerate all the way from a standing start in EV mode, although it's not clear how quick it will be. While doing this, the Prius apparently emits about 60 g/km of carbon dioxide. The range and emissions estimates are all based on the EU driving cycle, so the numbers should be a bit more realistic than the absurd Japanese 10/15 cycle.
The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium battery Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.
The battery capacity has not been announced yet, but it can be fully charged from a 230 V supply in just over 1.5 hours. Toyota plans to build 500 of these lithium battery Priuses starting late this year for leasing to fleets in Japan, the United States and Europe. Retail customers won't get their turn until about 2012.
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This is a sort of tease and hint from Toyota in terms of the electric range that the regular Prius will have once it is upgraded to lithium ion batteries 
.
Suddenly, the Volt's capability looks less appealing.
. Suddenly, the Volt's capability looks less appealing.
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It should be interesting. However:
Those 15 inch wheels look like ****
Heck, that's probably one reason why I haven't seen one on Philippine roads yet. If they gave us these instead, then things may have been better instead...
Those 15 inch wheels look like ****
Heck, that's probably one reason why I haven't seen one on Philippine roads yet. If they gave us these instead, then things may have been better instead...
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And, BTW, I find the five-spoke design of those 15" wheels handsome. I've always liked the classic five-spoke "mag" wheel design.
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From both the range and charging times it sounds like the battery capacity is significantly smaller than the Volt. Glad to see them coming out with this and I look forward to getting more detailed info on the electric side of it (LiON chemistry, battery capacity, etc...)
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Small, narrow, high-profile tires, with their low rolling resistance, are ideal for economy cars, where MPG is the main issue, not handling. The Prius is not designed to handle like a Miata or S2000. The Prius V, BTW, the top-level model, does come with larger wheels/tires.
And, BTW, I find the five-spoke design of those 15" wheels handsome. I've always liked the classic five-spoke "mag" wheel design.
And, BTW, I find the five-spoke design of those 15" wheels handsome. I've always liked the classic five-spoke "mag" wheel design.
However, they only offer those crappy 15 inchers as the only available stock rims here (in our market). That and since there are no tax incentives, the price here is exorbitant.
For the same amount of money, I can buy this instead:
plus have some spare change for LTO registration and car insurance
Another thing though: That and many of the local car enthusiasts aren't too happy that a of this class and of price range has small-*** rims (that are below 16 inches).
Oh well.......though it shouldn't matter as Toyota Philippines only expects to sell one unit per month
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Also the Volt is not here yet, so let's not get ahead of ourselves.
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REPORT: Toyota secretly tested lithium-ion Priuses for three years
http://green.autoblog.com/2009/09/15...for-three-yea/
Not surprised, Toyota always does things like that to surprise the competition. They tend to be secretive about their work and rarely over-hype or boast about future products.
Details are scarce, but it turns out that Toyota has been testing Priuses with lithium-ion batteries in them for years. Not many vehicles were involved – Bloomberg says only 126 such Priuses were on the roads in U.S., Japan and Europe – but the tests began in 2006. Toyota spokeswoman Jana Hartline confirmed that the tests ended last month. A Toyota battery engineer said that the li-ion packs gave fuel economy a small boost, but that, unsurprisingly, the company still prefers NiMH packs in the production models. Either way, Toyota says that the "durability, stability and safety are assured" when it comes to li-ion batteries. One analyst said that Toyota's tests, "appear to be among the most thorough done by companies planning to introduce [li-ion] batteries."
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I don't think Blackraven was objecting to the fact that it had narrow 15" wheels and high-profile tires, just that the rims Toyota picked are fugly. I'd tend to agree on that.
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I'm a fan of 5-spokes too, but not as pictured on the prius. They look like the awful wheelcovers that Pontiac used to use a few years ago. The 5-spokes in the inset are gorgeous, and would have been a much better choice.
I don't think Blackraven was objecting to the fact that it had narrow 15" wheels and high-profile tires, just that the rims Toyota picked are fugly. I'd tend to agree on that.
I don't think Blackraven was objecting to the fact that it had narrow 15" wheels and high-profile tires, just that the rims Toyota picked are fugly. I'd tend to agree on that.
