I have been waiting for about 6 months to get an idea of what the new Toyota Prius (Fourth generation) will look like. Mary Ann wants to get one, and I'm hoping it will not look too horrible, as we will have only one car.
Last night was the big unveiling, followed by the usual slew of hate from the "automotive enthusiasts" out there on the Internet. Forbes Magazine (The Capitalist tool) titled article "2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid: World's Least Dramatic Car Gets a Dramatic Makeover". The Verge announces "Toyota just launched an all-new Prius, and it looks weirder than ever".
Jalopnik, a car website that incidentally has a lot of Toyota hating readers, had an article titled "2016 Toyota Prius: WUB-WUB-WUB-WUB-WUB-WUB-WUB". I don't get it, maybe my age showing.
"http://jalopnik.com/2016-toyota-prius-wub-wub-wub-wub-wub-wub-wub-1729533962"
But among the comments on this Jalopnik article, some are surprisingly logical. Such as: Admitting the rear light doesn't look too bad, but then the first time if you crash it in a parking lot and it costs $500 to replace the light, but then a Ford F150 taillight probably costs more, but it has built in blind spot monitoring.
My own thoughts: "The first time"? I have never cracked a rear taillight in 50 years. Neither has Mary Ann. And anyway, isn't that what "Blind spot monitoring built in" is supposed to prevent on the Ford Truck? But then I suppose some other hit and run driver might leave you with a cracked taillight. And with my usual karma, I will smash the taillight the first week I have the Prius.
Then several other comments are the usual emotional hate that could apply to any new style of car or motorcycle: "It's fugly." or more emphatically "It's fug-fug-fuggitty-fugly." And there is also an animated Gif showing a US army tank crushing a Toyota Prius. Those commenters definitely need to ease up. World War Two is over, man.
My feeling is, the car doesn't look too horrible, that's all I really needed to know. Mary Ann likes the taillights. I like the "bump" on the hood. I can get used to the look of the car, just like I got used to the Toyota Matrix and every other car I have owned.
The 2016 Prius has better gas mileage than the old Prius (so Toyota says), and now for the first time, independent rear suspension. That could be good.
I'm interested in getting a different color (our Matrix is silver). Toyota says there are seven exterior colours, which unfortunately is no more than is available with the current Prius. The current 2015 Prius has red, and six colours ranging from white to black with shades of grey and silver. The new red for 2016 is apparently made with a new process that is deeper or something. I'll have to see that for myself, because in the unveiling photos, my computer screen has it looking the same as other reds.
Picture: New Toyota Prius in red. I enhanced it on my computer with a little extra colour saturation (70%) Now it's very red.
Wub-wub-wub?
ReplyDeleteThe styling is a matter of personal preference, as Toyota struggles to keep the Prius looking a bit ''different' from the rest of the stuff out there (including retaining that peculiar split rear window).
But the limits of their 'Synergy' gasoline power-split hybrid technology are showing, as this offers only a modest efficiency improvement over its predecessor.
The Law of Diminishing Returns continues to operate. The suggested 10% improvement over the current Prius falls within the range of driver technique variation. At around 4.3 l./100 Km, it's quite good, but by no means a breakthrough.
As far as those diminishing returns ... for someone driving 12,000 Km/year, upgrading from a current Prius to the 2016 would result in a savings of only about 50 litres ... a pretty nominal $75/year at $1.50/litre fuel price levels.
Of course, for someone moving to a new Prius from a less efficient vehicle, the gains would be proportionately larger. But worth the premium for a Toyota hybrid? Perhaps, especially with its styling ;-)
The gas mileage seems almost nothing when compared to the political baggage the car comes with.
DeleteMotorcycle and car drivers often talk about 0-60 mph times with differences of .1 second. That is also well within driver technique variation. Numbers like that are more to do with bragging rights than any real world advantage. Still, $75 could buy a nice bottle of Scotch.
2016 Toyota Prius: A Few Details On Engine, Hybrid System Released
ReplyDeletehttp://www.greencarreports.com/news/1100436_2016-toyota-prius-a-few-details-on-engine-hybrid-system-released
2016 Toyota Prius First Drive Review – Video
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hybridcars.com/2016-toyota-prius-first-drive-review-video/
That was a very comprehensive review. They said it would go on sale in January in the US. Looks like it will also be available in a lime green.
DeleteOfficial EPA MPG Numbers Are In For 2016 Toyota Prius ...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hybridcars.com/official-epa-mpg-numbers-are-in-for-2016-toyota-prius/
4th-generation Prius will win hearts, minds
ReplyDeletehttp://www.providencejournal.com/article/20151213/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/151219805/13881
Maybe I better see the Toyota dealer about when they start to take orders. Looks like they have the prices set already.
DeleteApparently, not for sissies ... it's 'Heck on wheels' ;-)
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/KxIIi6SVuII
That commercial is so embarrassing. And they are going to show it during the Superbowl. At least Toyota is keeping the price down, in Canada it will start at $26,000 almost the same as the US. But it seems they are not for sale in Canada just yet.
Delete'Why The 2016 Toyota Prius is the World’s Most Attractive Alternative Energy Car'
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hybridcars.com/why-the-2016-toyota-prius-is-the-worlds-most-attractive-alternative-energy-car/
There are a lot of nasty comments about the looks of the Prius quoted in the article, also following the article. If looks are that important, then obviously people should just avoid buying cars that they consider to be ugly. I think the car looks OK and we're still planning to get one, despite the fact that Toyota is not bringing the highest mpg "Eco" version to Canada, and despite the statement on the Toyota website that the upscale models of Prius will only be available in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
DeleteIt seems that the "heck on wheels" ad was not the one they showed at the superbowl. Instead it was the bank robber car chase, a much better ad in my opinion.
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