2015 Toyota Prius Rumor Roundup: 60 MPG, AWD, Lithium-Ion Battery
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Over the next 14 months, you can expect leaks, rumors, suppositions, spy shots, and outright guesses about the 2015 Toyota Prius to proliferate.
The fourth generation of Toyota's quintessential hybrid car is a crucial model for the company.
If Toyota sticks to its model cadence, we expect that all-new Prius liftback to be shown at either the 2014 or 2015 Detroit Auto Show--and go on sale within a few months as a 2015 or 2016 model.
For the moment, we'll call it the 2015 Prius and assume we'll see it in Detroit in January 2014.
The 2015 Toyota Prius, incidentally, will likely be assembled in the U.S. for the first time.
While the Toyota Prius is now a family of four vehicles, and remains the world's best-selling hybrid, it faces new and fierce competition on a variety of fronts.
Virtually every global carmaker now offers at least one or two hybrid models, not even to mention plug-in electric cars.
Hybrid volume will soar as car companies boost fuel efficiency throughout their ranges to meet new gas-mileage and carbon emissions standards across the globe.
So the 2015 Prius has to be good enough to stay the hybrid standard, keep its highest-EPA-rating crown in the U.S.--and improve on the current car.
Here's our roundup of rumors, speculation, and likely directions for the new 2015 Prius:
Battery pack: One of the biggest questions is whether Toyota will stick with its known, proven nickel-metal hydride battery or switch over to lithium-ion. This may vary by region.
Koie Saga, a senior managing director for Toyota drivetrain research, told trade journal Automotive News (subscription required) in May that fourth-generation Priuses built in the U.S. would likely switch to a lithium-ion battery.
Today's Prius, launched as a 2010 model, was originally meant to have a lithium-ion pack. But in January, 2010, Saga told journalists the company had bet on the wrong lithium chemistry--so Toyota fell back to the tried-and-true nickel-metal hydride cells.
Lighter weight: Although Toyota has reportedly scrapped the idea of an all-aluminum body for cost reasons, it's likely to make heroic efforts to reduce the weight of the new Prius. A Toyota engineer is said to have specified a 155-pound (70-kg) reduction in weight.
Better aerodynamics: This is potentially where the new Prius will be the most radical. The startling FT-Bh concept shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show had a drag coefficient of just 0.235, which is very low for a five-door compact hatchback.
New shape: The shape of the 2015 Prius will clearly follow the form that produces least aerodynamic drag. Frontal area, cross-section, and length are the most influential factors.
Now the British outlet AutoExpress has shown a sketch of a radically lower Prius with very tall but narrow tires.
We're not convinced that's the way the designers will go; instead, we'd look for inspiration toward not only the FT-Bh concept but also another high-efficiency Toyota concept, the NS4 Plug-In Hybrid concept shown at Detroit in January.
Either way, you can expect the new shape of the Prius to be more radical than the 2010 redesign, which was very similar to the groundbreaking 2004 generation.
Low-rolling-resistance tires: This is entirely predictable, but Toyota may push beyond the current state of the art. Earlier this year, Inside Line said sources at Toyota revealed the company was talking to tire manufacturers about working on a new, groundbreaking, ultra-low rolling resistance tire.
All-wheel drive: We're skeptical about the AutoExpress claim that the new Prius liftback will offer all-wheel drive. We might believe it for the Prius V wagon, but there's never been an AWD Prius and we wouldn't expect one unless or until Toyota decides to build a Prius-branded crossover utility vehicle.
SO ... what kind of gas mileage might the new Prius return? AutoExpress claims 90 mpg, using Imperial gallons on the European test cycle.
That translates to 75 mpg in U.S. gallons, so cutting another 20 percent for the tougher U.S. test cycle would bring that down to 60 mpg--which sounds about right to us.
What would you like to see in a new generation of the Toyota Prius hybrid? And what do you think it will have--and won't have?
Leave us your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Have an opinion?
Dump the silly shifter, and reduce road noise in the cabin. Add 1" more head room in the back seats.
Other than that, don't mess to much with it. The load bay is great.
Offer a Prius SE edition so it can lose few MPG but has better tires, better performance and braking.
If by making it "capable" equals dropping its MPG from 50 to 40 (camry hybrid), then the 50 MPG is really "pointless" in my opinion.
I believe MOST Prius buyers believe that "poor" performance of the Prius is "acceptable" in exchange for its fuel efficiency. If the fuel efficiency is NOT there, then very few people will buy Prius.
In reality, you can make Prius even WORSE in performance and keep the MPG and people will still buy it. But to some drivers, they will be okay driving a "short bus" if it gives them > 50mpg...
I don't call them "drivers". I call them "commuter" who are forced to "operate" a moving object. They are more than willing to take a bus...
The Prius has 0-60 at 9.7 seconds which is well within the main-stream market, and only a second slower than your beloved Volt.
Let it go, it is a small difference.
Let me settle this once for all.
Your quote of 9.7 seconds is FASTEST one ever out there. Most of reviews peg the Prius at around 10 secs. Sure, small difference.
Now, let us talk about handling and braking. How come you NEVER mentioned those two factors? They are TERRIBLE on the Prius.
All Toyota needed was better tires (which reduce MPG) and better suspension (added cost).
MrEnergyCzar
the prius to serve as a field generator
- stereo... bought the premium option and it is just above, "Sucks". lots of opportunity there.
- seats... they are not very confortable to say the least-especially on longer drives. Heated seats are needed too but think that is an option now.
- heating... sometimes, less is more. Let me control the dang thing. It is a pain.
- gas fill... maybe this is fixed but the thing is so tight (believe due to an intenal bladder) that sometimes it is very painfull to get the pump to stop clicking off.
I also love the idea of a plug-in version!
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1079832_2012-toyota-prius-plug-in-hybrid-is-it-an-electric-car-or-not
JeffD
Some of the resort driveways are so steep and windy, you won't make it up even at super slow speed with 2WD...
I know there are some pluses and minuses between the two, and all Prius don't look so bad on the road, but the picture at the top of this article is one homely vehicle IMO.
But other than that, it is probably OK.
Your Prius dash board is also cheap and low tech. Volt can be operated without any gas for months... I haven't used a single drop of gas during my work commute in the last 6 months...
1. More leg room for tall people, I'm 6 foot.
2. Longer Telescopic with Tilt Steering.
3. Better Arm rest positioning.
4. Lower Road Noise.
5. Easier to see out when backing up. (I don't have the rear camera)
6. I don't care for real low profile tires (
6. I don't care for real low profile tires (
a) no feel to the steering
b) terrible rear vision ... wish it had the V's rear hatch!
c) terrible sense of where the front bumper ends
d) awful road noise
e) under powered ... could use another 5 to 10 horses
Otherwise the great gas mileage is absolutely wonderful! Getting an avg of 41-43 around hilly area I live in but can get 50 to 60 mpg driving on a flat road going 45mph.
A deflated spare tire which you will have to inflate to install.
The tail end will be lower to reduce drag.
Expect a cover over the rear wheels.
I am waiting at cidpusa
PS for those bragging about their plug-in MPG, let us know the real MPG after you figure in the electricity cost to charge the battery at home.
It would be a pure EV when the weather is warm and the trip is short. But when I need heat or when I want to increase range I would like to be able to flip a switch and start a single cylinder engine (see the recent German design in the news) that would generate electricity to increase the range of the battery. The trade off? Well, you can't use it for really long trips (I use my current Prius for those) but you would be able to get longer range than most current electric cars and with a smaller (less expensive) battery.
Have an opinion?Join the conversation!