New Prius ...Sweeeet! Great lines and it even uses Solar Roof to trickle in a charge to the batterie

[masmdu]

s.





http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/07/07/next-gen-prius-to-get-solar-panel-to-drive-accessories/

Although some aftermarket operations have tried installing rooftop solar panels on the Toyota Prius, none of the pioneering hybrids have ever come so equipped from the factory. This will reportedly change next year when the third-generation model hits the streets.

[smoogatz]

1. Wow.

Is that what they look like? Very cool. Gotta have me one of them.

[SharonRB]

2. Very cool!

Now why can't they figure out how to charge the battery using the solar panels? Seems like a natural to me, but then I'm not an engineer.

[LisaM]

3. Yuck!

That's even uglier than the current one, which (IMO) is no prize for the eyes! I know that people who drive them love them, and I applaud the technology, but they are not very attractive cars.

[calimary]

8. Hey, I don't care! Looks I'm not into. Besides, the additional savings and wise

and innovative use of resources is mighty beautiful to me!

That may well become another standard for beauty in the energy-starved years ahead.

But then again, objectively speaking, I look at the photo and I'm not repulsed in the least. I think it looks kinda cute.

[kestrel91316]

14. Yeah - 'cause looking hip is WAAAYYYY more important than

having a liveable planet!

Hummers are so macho and cool. I think I'll get one of THEM.

[Ichingcarpenter]

15. What is an attractive car for you? I'm curious

what you find modern and not ugly.

Can you show me a 4 passenger car you like with a picture?

[LisaM]

21. I like the looks of the Outback and Forester

though I know they need to work on gas mileage. I also like the Passat wagon. Like the other poster, I like wagons. Also, I'm short, and I like to be a little higher up. When I see that car, all I can think about is that the visibility would be bad for me.

I like the solar roof/mileage thing though!

[Ichingcarpenter]

25. I have the forester, love it and had an outback before that.

I never bought the Subaru for their body designs, which I always thought were
a little ugly and behind the times. However everything underneath the shell is ahead of the curve.
I love my 99 forester, I get 30 mpgs with it.

[electropop]

60. I don't understand what's pretty about a big box on wheels. May as well drive a boxcar.

To me, streamlining is beauty. Form follows efficiency, as with an eagle or a dolphin.

[Warpy]

23. It looks like the driver needs to be decapitated

in order to fit. It looks like it was squashed by the Monty Python foot.

It looks like a Big Gulp won't fit in the cup holder, never mind a few bags of groceries in the back.

[Divernan]

53. My dtr.'s new Prius is amazingly roomy and comfortable - more than my Saab.

I drove it from NYC to western PA and it was a treat to drive. What I really loved was the rearview live video cam/screen for backing up/parallel parking. And the floor of the "trunk" opens up to give you a recessed area in which to stack your grocery bags so they don't tip over - excellent design all around.

[Schema Thing]

30. This is a case of form following function

You may or may not come to see this car as attractive, ever, but I suspect many people with an initial negative reaction will, over time.


It's way past time for car makers to start making their cars look like the "concept cars" of the past, because those concepts (low air drag) were good ones.

[baby_mouse]

33. It's BEAUTIFUL!

Like a sculpture...

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

51. It's pretty radical. I thought it was a concept at first. I think it's good looking

[freesqueeze]

4. what a cool idea

Now, tell me again why all the US car makers are gagging on the fumes of Toyota?


I can see an opec free
future from up here

[emilyg]

5. Kool.

[leftchick]

6. when the hell are they going to make a freakin wagon???

those of us with children need more room!

:(

[Beaverhausen]

10. Have you tried one yet? I can get 4 adults and a big child in one easily

and plenty of room in the trunk.

[leftchick]

17. well no

but I have sat in and checked it all out at a car show. I need a real wagon for my boys, their friends and their 'stuff'. It is just not big enough, yet IU do not want or need an SUV or Van. I believe it would be simple enough to make wouldn't it?

:shrug:

[northzax]

22. given that I am 6'5"

and have been in the back of a prius...as long as you are close to the other person in the back, it's all good.

[trof]

44. Surprisingly roomy and comfortable. Just did 3000+ road trip.

Coastal Alabama to Boston and back.
I'm 6' 2", 235.
Plenty of room for luggage and LOTS of birthday presents (2 grandkids).
Cruised at 70-75 & still got around 46 mpg.
I can usually get over 50 in town, doing a little hypermiling when I can.

With the back seats folded down I've gotten 8' lumber in.
I love mine.

[flvegan]

13. Hybrid Matrix would be an excellent car.

Especially if it wakes Pontiac up into offering the Vibe the same way.

[gateley]

7. Anyone know if any Tesla Roadsters are actually on the street yet?

They have a solar panel option, too. (Just add it on to the $100K+ price tag :7)

[calimary]

11. They were talking about a 60-thousand dollar Tesla here a little earlier.

A five-seater sedan now in development - next coupla years or so.

YOWZA!!! Found it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3573173

[gateley]

19. Thanks for the link --

and I'm surprised I missed that thread. I'm a big Tesla fan. I applaud how they're introducing this technology, and think it's the best way to go. It shows people that electric cars can be cool (understatement), and have great range. I hope their company is very successful.

EDIT - should have read the link before I mentioned that they had an even less expensive one planned after the sedan.

I subscribe to their newsletter, but since one of the founders left, communication has dribbled to almost nothing.

[calimary]

26. Indeed? A newsletter! Well, I'll join ya!

My husband wants one, especially now that the price is starting to approach something a little less gag-worthy.

[gateley]

29. The guy who left (and whose name escapes me)

would blog frequently. Nobody there now has taken up the challenge. I really enjoyed hearing about the company and the progress. I'm sorry it didn't work out for him.

I read your post on the link you provided - and you articulated perfectly why Tesla is a positive influence on our entire auto industry here. And it can spur on the big three to go BEYOND combustible engines, which they seem hesitant to do.

I'd forgotten about the price of calculators! :rofl:

[Ichingcarpenter]

9. They should call it the TRON

very cool


Looks like something for this century vs a design from the last century.

[flvegan]

12. You'd think Toyota would fit the Sienna the same way.

With acres of roof, you'd think solar could power something.

Far as I know, the only marque with a hybrid minivan in testing is Mazda.

[Greyskye]

16. Suicide doors?

From the door handle position, it looks like it has suicide doors in the back. I wonder it that's going to make it to the production model, or if it's just on the concept. :shrug:

I think it's a great look - but then again I already drive a Prius, and think it looks cool. :)

[workinclasszero]

18. Let me know when they make one

a working class stiff can afford.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

20. The only trouble with Toyotas is that they last too long.

My wife has a '91 Tercel and I have a '94 4X pickup. Both of which will probably outlast us so we have no incentive to buy another.

Damn things are virtually unbreakable and with minimal maintenance always work.

[DJ13]

24. Show cars never end up looking as good when it moves into production

Show car-




What it will look like when its produced-

[masmdu]

27. (Milk through nose-Funny)

[alfredo]

56. The Pacer was really roomy. The doors were too heavy, wore out the

bushings. Oh, and it went through a water pump a year.

[Gold Metal Flake]

28. 1) Where is the windshield wiper?

Perhaps this is a clay model.

2) Why not another 10-12 inches in length on the back? People need paces to put bags, luggage and groceries along with the passengers.

I look forward to pix of a production model. This looks like a shot of a prototype. I can tell from some of the pixels and from seeing quite a few prototype shots in my time. :P

[Warpy]

32. Not to mention, look how far that silly windshield extends down

on both sides! Won't THAT be a joy to replace when some kid throws a rock at it!

[Gold Metal Flake]

43. Like most, it would be bonded.

Mask off surrounding body exterior and interior trim. Cut the goo seal with a wire tool. Clean goo out of frame. Apply more goo, lay in window, push into goo. Clean off excess goo. Charge customer out the wazoo. Throw away clothes which are now covered with goo.

I dunno that it would be so bad, but I can't tell from here. But for sure that goo (they still use butyl rubber?) can be tough, especially when it's cold outside.

[Warpy]

45. It's bad because it's such a weird shape (hard to store)

and there's so damned much of it.

It's bad because it looks EXPENSIVE.

[Gold Metal Flake]

54. LOL! Agreed on both points.

I wonder what the CD is? Better be low.

[Dawgs]

31. That is one ugly fucking car.

Is it impossible to make a hybrid that doesn't look like a sport shoe from the nineties?

WTF!!!

[Lorien]

36. Far, far more beautiful than a Hummer or SUV! n/t

[Phoonzang]

34. Well...at least you'll have alot of clearance room

when you're thrown through the front winshield.

[lutefisk]

35. I think that's the Hybrid X concept car introduced back in 2007

I doubt the next Prius will look like that. At least I hope not.

[Snarkturian Clone]

37. Why can't they make it look like a regular car like the civic hybrid? NT

[crimsonblue]

38. YAAAWWNNN

I'll hold out for the Chevy Volt, which will blow the Prius out of the effing water.

[Ichingcarpenter]

47. $40,000 for the Volt vs Prius for$21-$23 thousand?

Volts new price

http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/19/chevy-volt-plug-in-hybrid-priced-at-40-000/


Prius Price
http://www.motortrend.com/new_cars/04/toyota/prius/index.html

[crimsonblue]

52. what can i say

I want to support American companies... the volt will be made in the U.S. Plus, I just hate the lines of the prius, both current and proposed generations.

[Ichingcarpenter]

55. You know that GM and Exxon (Standard Oil) supported the Nazis?

And made his War and Blitzkrieg possible and almost went to prison for it?

These Guys are not an 'America' Company and support their own agenda, you know that right?

They may use american workers but they are hardly Patriotic or seek the same values
and aspirations that america needs. They are an international conglomerate.

[crimsonblue]

58. you know the japanese bombed pearl harbor?

I couldn't care less about companies in the 40s... we beat the Nazis so it's all a moot point.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

39. There is no need for the car to look like that

It's a clever little trick to get a majority of people not to buy them.

You can make a perfectly good electric/hybrid that looks no different than a Camry.

[BigDaddy44]

42. Wait....you're suggesting they're making it ugly on purpose?

so people WON'T buy them? This is a Toyota. Not a GM. Toyota isn't that stupid. GM? Uhhhh.....see "Aztek"

[Ichingcarpenter]

48. The 2009 will look like this, which I find as improvement over the older model

[jakefrep]

40. Toyota has proved that it is possible to make a Pontiac Aztek attractive.

For all its manufacturing might, Toyota seems incapable of making a car that is good-looking and enjoyable to drive.

[CRF450]

41. Fuckin ugly, that is all.

[salguine]

46. Why can't they put all these great features into the body of a 1956 DeSoto Firedome?

That would be shweeeet.

[RedShoes]

49. if it premieres at the auto show next year, how long 'til it is on the market here?

just wondering.

[Ichingcarpenter]

50. The 2009 will look like this, which I find as improvement over the older model

2009






the one now.




so probably 2010 or 11

[Maat]

57. There will be no more sacrilegeous statements!

I am the proud owner of a Prius that looks like the one below. It is BEAUTIFUL, and it runs on an aura of superiority, not gasoline.

We are SO much better than the Hummer drivers. So there!

My Prius is HOLY and SACRED!

[Dover]

59. YAY!!! I'm a 'ready to buy' customer. Although it looks a bit smushed down

I'm sure the aerodynamics are improved by that. Love the color too. That said, it really doesn't matter. I'm ready to focus on efficiency over aesthetics.

On purely aesthetic grounds (well mechanically sound too), my idea of an attractive/functional car is a Saab 9.3 hatchback. Sporty but practical and well built. And although the mileage isn't too bad on the current models, they could do much better if they tried.
They are toying with a hybrid model however:
http://blogs.automotive.com/6261228/opinion/saab-9-x-biohybrid-wins-concept-car-of-the-year/index.html ... http://image.automotive.com/f/opinion/saab-9-x-biohybrid-wins-concept-car-of-the-year/10100706+w315+cr1+re0+ar1/saab-9-x-biohybrid-gm-corp-top-front-rightjpg.jpg

But if the Prius is the most advanced hybrid model on the market next year, that's what I'll get.
I had been hoping they'd upgrade to the newer batteries by then, but I can't wait forever.