Third-gen Prius to be sportier?
Click above for more images of the 2009 Toyota Prius
Automotive engineers who are currently working on hybrid drivetrains have a bit of a conundrum on their hands. Should they make the most of the battery pack's available power to eke the highest mileage possible or should they configure the electronics to offer the best performance? Generally speaking, the right answer falls somewhere in the middle of the two extremes, but that doesn't make the job any easier. Where is the perfect compromise between sportiness and efficiency? If sales are any indication, hybrids should lean more on their fuel mileage capabilities than on their sportiness, as the Prius clearly does in its second-generation model that's currently for sale.
Toyota's third-gen Prius, though, will somehow manage to be both more efficient and sportier. Toyota has had a few years now to tweak its Hybrid Synergy Drive and has created both performance hybrids and super-efficient hybrids from the technology. According to Toyota managing director Miguel Fonseca, the next Prius will emit less than 100 g/km of CO2 while offering sportier performance. The automaker could have gone even lower, and rumors indicate that a second, even lower carbon emitting model will in fact be available in Europe.
Gallery: 2009 Toyota Prius
[Source: AutoMotoPortal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris 6:31PM (10/03/2008)
Greetings!
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MikeW 8:59PM (10/03/2008)
I think the biggest threat to the environment is the group think/mass delusion of the ecomentalists (who are the useful idiots of the powers that be) to push a chicken little environmental hoax.
Insofar as that the governement (global, national, state, local) will be 'granted' powers to tax the fundamental elements of life.
http://www.21stcenturysciencetech.com/Articles%202007/True_CO2_Record.pdf
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GSP 10:23AM (10/04/2008)
The current Toyota Prius (2004- ) is actually the THIRD generation. The first generation hybrid propulsion system was sold in Japan starting in 1997. Toyota brought the second generation Prius to the US in 2000.
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Red 9:14AM (10/06/2008)
What he/she said ^^^^
Also, I'm curious to know if by "sportier" they mean Matrix XRS-to-Corolla "sportier" or something more sporty than that. Because to be honest, the XRS is more or less a poseur in that regard, when compared to other vehicles in its class.
Kendrew 4:35AM (10/05/2008)
Can't they just make a sport/fuel econ mode?
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Sasparilla 11:32AM (10/06/2008)
Kendrew is right on. Since this sport economy settings will be in software, just program both and let the consumer decide.
Something to consider Toyota, people buy hybrids to get the great mileage, not for sportiness (that's why the Accord hybrid which used the hybrid to increase power wouldn't sell) - so use some common sense and squeeze out the mileage for the next gen Prius. Otherwise, Honda is waiting for your market with their new Insight.
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