3rd Generation Prius

3rd generation is the current one. Next will be 4th.

Convertible would be nice... but kinda runs against the Prius philosophy of minimizing consumption, since the drag coefficient goes to hell with the top down. Maybe in a different hybrid model, so we can keep the Prius as the 'standard' of efficiency for HSD cars?

MGBGT said:

Convertible would be nice... but kinda runs against the Prius philosophy of minimizing consumption, since the drag coefficient goes to hell with the top down. Maybe in a different hybrid model, so we can keep the Prius as the 'standard' of efficiency for HSD cars?

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I agree. If they were to market a Prius Convertible, I think it would be better if they just come out with a Hybrid Convertible of a different model, maybe the Solara of their current vehicles. That or the MR2. I heard somewhere that the MR2 was going to be the next Toyota development project for Hybridity?

You mean hybridisation?

won't they prefer to concentrate on the mainstream such as the Camry and Corolla before targeting the convertible market? Although once they do the Corolla, it's possible that they'll drop it in the MR2.

If yer from a country that relies more or less on "the Queen's English," it's "s" not "z." So, once again, yer both right. Two countries separated by a common language!

My SO has an MR2 and is well plugged into car stuff... I thought it was a done deal that the MR2 is being discontinued. So a little Hybrid runabout could perhaps replace it.

I'd love the next generation to look a little "swoopier" somehow. Increase the glass area a bit, maybe -- enough people complain about visibility it might be worth the effort. Don't see it, myself, but.... :wink:

What I'd like to see is a plug in hybrid that can stay in EV only mode for 60 minutes at up to the top speed of the car, with no decay to the battery of any consequence. And keep it for less than $1000 premium.

Then sell us a device to put in the wall of your house that self finds the plug-in on the car. Then every day, the car will plug itself in. If your commute is less than 60 minutes, you will never again stop for gas.

Except to go visit your mother in law on the weekends.

Then in the Gen 6, make it 100 minutes, again for no more than $1000 extra. (Work to standardize the batteries.)
Then in the Gen 7, make it 300 minutes.
Then in the Gen 8, offer a no ICE option.
Then in the Gen 9, offer no ICE as an option with a battery that removes from the car in 2 minutes. Combo gas and battery stations will start to spring up nationwide and offer one size fits all batteries.
Then in the Gen 10, no longer offer the ICE as an option.

At 8 cents a kilowatt-hour, it will actually cost more per mile for me to plug her in than to gas her up. I'd have to get at least 2 miles per KWh to break even, considering that for $2 I can drive at least 50 miles, so for the same $2, I can purchase 25KWh.