Toyota Engineers targeting 113 MPG for next Prius

[racy]

Next Prius to get Lithium Ion Battery and likely to be plugin capable in 2009. Will also get a redesign and better performance.

Full article here: http://kww.autobloggreen.com/2006/12...y-and-113-mpg/

AutoExpress magazine in the UK has a report in this week's issue about the next generation Toyota Prius. They are reporting that the new Prius will be switching from nickel metal hydride batteries to lithium ion batteries that have greater capacity in an even smaller size. With the smaller package, interior room of the new car should be improved, especially in the back seat. The improved power output of the lithium batteries will allow the car to run on electrons-only more often in urban traffic.

According to the magazine, Toyota engineers are targeting a mileage rating of 113 mpg, with improved 0-60 mph acceleration of less than 10 seconds. The internal combustion part of the drive train is reported to be a new turbocharged 1.8L lean burn four cylinder. The car may even get factory plug-in capability when it goes on sale in 2009 and now that GM has announced their intention to offer a plug-in hybrid Saturn Vue, this one may be a certainty. The styling is also reported to be revamped, with a spy photo in the print version of the magazine.

[stevecmh]

so with Toyota's typical markup it will only be 75mpg..... Hopefully GM will get their plug in system out first

[coaster.n3rd]

The new Prius has a new type of exhaust on it. It sounds like this:

"bzzzzzrblwhocarezzzz"

Toyota needs to make a plug-in SUV. It makes no sense to have a small car that carries 1 person 90% of the time as a flagship hybrid. They should put their cash into SUV's and serious vehicles which are the culprits for emissions and gas usage. Such as the new Tundra. That would have been a much better way to come out swinging with the new trucks.

[plane]

GM - The gauntlet has been tossed.
Are you up to the challenge or will you remain in continual retreat?

With direct injection, smaller displacement, weight reduction, and a two-mode hybrid, you ought to be able to give stellar gas mileage with the functionality and family capacity of an SUV.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

so with Toyota's typical markup it will only be 75mpg..... Hopefully GM will get their plug in system out first

Toyota's markup? I was under the impression that it was the EPA that rated cars for their mileage.

[guitarlix]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

The new Prius has a new type of exhaust on it. It sounds like this:

"bzzzzzrblwhocarezzzz"

Toyota needs to make a plug-in SUV. It makes no sense to have a small car that carries 1 person 90% of the time as a flagship hybrid. They should put their cash into SUV's and serious vehicles which are the culprits for emissions and gas usage. Such as the new Tundra. That would have been a much better way to come out swinging with the new trucks.

My engine's BOV sounds like this

"sssssshhhhwhypostifyoudon'tcareuuuuuuu"

[GMsElite]

GM needs to get them an advance hybrid subcompact SOON!

[8>4]

Hey GM, come out with something BETTER. EARLIER.

[john1701a]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

It makes no sense to have a small car that carries 1 person 90% of the time as a flagship hybrid.

Look at the right-hand corner of your screen now.

How come the iconic vehicle for this forum is a car?

JOHN

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by coaster.n3rd

The new Prius has a new type of exhaust on it. It sounds like this:

"bzzzzzrblwhocarezzzz"

Toyota needs to make a plug-in SUV. It makes no sense to have a small car that carries 1 person 90% of the time as a flagship hybrid. They should put their cash into SUV's and serious vehicles which are the culprits for emissions and gas usage. Such as the new Tundra. That would have been a much better way to come out swinging with the new trucks.

January 7th. One step at a time. One step at a time.

[MelvinJ]

I'm not familiar enough with how the EPA tests hybrids. I believe I had read that the battery pack is half-charged at the beginning of the test cycle, but do they ensure that the battery pack has exactly the same amount of charge at the end? Because if it's not, how do we know just what gas mileage the car is getting? If some of the energy comes from depleting the battery pack (and with plug-in hybrids, this will be the whole purpose) or if gas was burned but extra energy was stored in the battery packs for later use, then they've either overstated or understated the gas mileage.

Anybody know the procedures? What exactly would they do if the pack has less or more energy at the end of the test than when it started?

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

so with Toyota's typical markup it will only be 75mpg..... Hopefully GM will get their plug in system out first

Huh?

Actually if reading this from a UK blog the 113 mpg is probably IMP Gal anyway.

But 60-75 mpg under the new EPA norms seems reasonable here.

One of the rumored options on the Gen3 will be a 5 or 10 or 20 mi plug-in driving range. To be determined. And if only Europe gets it that would be a damn shame.

GM joining the fray with a big effort should accelerate the development of all the auto makers. That's good for all of us.

[PhishPhood]

Originally Posted by MelvinJ

I'm not familiar enough with how the EPA tests hybrids. I believe I had read that the battery pack is half-charged at the beginning of the test cycle, but do they ensure that the battery pack has exactly the same amount of charge at the end? Because if it's not, how do we know just what gas mileage the car is getting? If some of the energy comes from depleting the battery pack (and with plug-in hybrids, this will be the whole purpose) or if gas was burned but extra energy was stored in the battery packs for later use, then they've either overstated or understated the gas mileage.

Anybody know the procedures? What exactly would they do if the pack has less or more energy at the end of the test than when it started?

That's a great question and I don't know from reading the EPA website if they make any adjustment plus or minus for the battery usage.

To further complicate matters if PHEV's do go into wide use and you fill up on Jan 1, 20xx, but your commute is only 7 mi or 15 mi RT, and you plug in every night drawing off the power grid, and end up the year with the same tankful as when you started, what's your FE rating?

Is it measured in miles/ton of coal ?

[camaro_freak]

Originally Posted by stevecmh

so with Toyota's typical markup it will only be 75mpg..... Hopefully GM will get their plug in system out first

even if they are bloated numbers, 75mpg whips the crap out of anything GM will have available.

[Dave B]

Originally Posted by PhishPhood

That's a great question and I don't know from reading the EPA website if they make any adjustment plus or minus for the battery usage.

To further complicate matters if PHEV's do go into wide use and you fill up on Jan 1, 20xx, but your commute is only 7 mi or 15 mi RT, and you plug in every night drawing off the power grid, and end up the year with the same tankful as when you started, what's your FE rating?

Is it measured in miles/ton of coal ?

Naw.......the power grids will just crash when everyone plugs in.