It's been some 15 years since Toyota launched the first Prius with the tag line "Just in time for the 21st century." While it's commonplace now, back then, the Prius was at the cutting edge of the hybrid revolution. Toyota followed up with a parade of hybrids, expanding the use of its fuel-efficient tech to its luxury Lexus lineup as well as building a brand around the Prius.
Now, with nearly every car maker pinching some of the hybrid pie, Toyota looks to be planning a radically different approach for the next Prius, as we recently learned from an anonymous source close to Toyota in this exclusive interview. Here's what our source said is in store for the next-generation Prius.
Q: When can we expect the next Prius?
A: It was originally scheduled for a late 2014 launch, but the global financial crisis delayed our advanced development of the car, so it's now due around spring 2015.
Q: Considering that most of today's cars take just 3 years to develop from the product planning stage to production, that sounds like an abnormally long gestation period. What's up?
A: We started with development of the next-generation THS (Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive) system. As you know, the present Prius went on sale in 2009 with a model life of 6 years. So you could say that our R&D of the new car is not that far behind. However, the all-new THS system was being developed separate from the next Prius, in a totally different department. That means that we can't move on the Prius until the new THS system is ready.
Q: You are saying that the specifications of the new THS have just been finalized and that the new Prius is well underway?
A: Yes, I suppose you could say that. It's just that, well, there are various complications. You see, a number of basic THS patents will expire in 2013. That's not to say that some other car maker can pick up the ball immediately and get to where we are. Conversely, when we launch the new THS system, we will once again jump ahead of the competition.
Q: So the next Prius will be the first model to employ the all-new THS system?
A: As it turns out, a couple of new hybrid models will be launched in 2015, but the Prius will most probably be the first as it is nearing completion now.
Q: That's what we'd like to hear. Can you please explain the development concept in more detail?
A: Putting it plainly, the concept is this: "Getting back to the basics of the original Prius." The current model is selling well (in the U.S. and Japan at least) thanks to the eco-boom and high gas prices. But when we launched the original model with the catch-cry of "just in time for the 21st century," our main sales point was being ahead of the curve and offering the most advanced technology. We were able to do what no other car maker could do - mass-produce the world's first hybrid. But today, Nissan and Honda as well as many foreign brands also have hybrids, so it's not rare anymore. Hybrids are selling like hotcakes, especially in Japan.
Q: Are you saying that the image of the Prius that Toyota originally wanted to build, and the one that is selling so well today, has lost direction?
A: I wouldn't say that. If the truth be known, Prius sales only really took off after we launched the second generation. If we check out the buyer breakdown back then, we saw lots of forward thinkers in the mix, like scholarly types, wealthy businessmen, and those with a strong creative edge. Today, however, the vast majority of customers [in Japan] for the current Prius are senior citizens looking for a reasonably priced car with class-leading fuel economy. Our job with the next Prius is to try to regain the interest of customers from our second-generation car.
Q: So by employing an all-new THS system, you hope to bring those customers back to the showroom? Will you aim for huge sales again with the new Prius?
A: THS will be important, but big sales are not our main aim. We plan to focus buyer attention on the slightly smaller and cheaper Aqua, the model below the Prius [in Japan], while overseas, the next Prius will be crucial. In fact, our sales target is roughly the same as the current model. But like the first two Priuses, the next Prius will employ the most advanced technology we have, and while delivering class-leading economy, it will redefine the "hybrid" as we know it.
Q: Tell us more.
A: The design will change significantly, the most radical of which will be the lowering of the hood and waistline. The hood height will drop in height by at least 90 mm [3.5 inches] and it will lose its characteristic wedge shape. The A-pillar will retreat backwards while the roof line will be pushed forward by around 500 mm [19.5 inches] with two aims: 1) to improve aerodynamics and 2) to improve the overall look.
Q: And to achieve that effect, the THS unit must be downsized considerably.
A: Yes, that's right. But these significant revisions were made possible thanks to an all-new platform as well.
Q: Correct me if I'm wrong, but the current Prius employs the so-called "new MC" mass-produced platform, which is also employed on models from the European Auris to the Corolla to Japan-spec Alphard minivan. That level of versatility means that it still has the potential to lose even more weight. Right?
A: Yes, that's right. We are developing our next generation "C" platform as part of our Toyota New Global Architecture [TNGA] strategy. The top of the range model that will sit on this new platform will be the Prius, which by the way will shed over 150 pounds. And the new THS system means that the engine mounts will be very different to the current car's setup as well.
Q: So the four main revisions on the new Prius will be the totally new styling, lower curb weight, a new more compact hybrid system, and a lower center of gravity? Is that about the extent of it?
A: Yes. The body size will change very little to the current car and maintain the present 106-inch wheelbase. Front overhang will decrease by just under 2 inches thanks to the smaller powertrain and hybrid system. But as I said before, the overall styling will change considerably, but it will still be recognizable as a Prius.
Q: Yeah, by doing away with that "one-motion" wedge-shaped styling, the car's overall look will change radically. And dare I say, make it more stylish.
A: That's right. By lowering the height of the hood, we are not only improving its aerodynamic efficiency, but we are also responding to the demands of the U.S. market.
Q: Huh?
A: Our research tells us that many Americans think the current Prius' waistline is too high and its shape too "wedgy." They say it does not look sleek enough. We are being told to give the next model a sleeker, lower profile. And that's exactly what is going to happen.
Q: Any other design hints?
A: The central part of the roof will be the highest section of the car, and the further you go back, the narrower the car will become. By that I mean that the car silhouette from the B-pillar aft will not be that different to the current model.
Q: I see. And what about the car's utility?
A: The new version will get a more luggage space, which translates to space for 4 golf bags in Japan. Because of that revision, we are switching rear suspension from the current torsion beam setup to a new double wishbone construction, which will improve the car's all-round stability.
Q: Can you tell me anything more about the new THS system?
A: As I mentioned, several patents will expire in 2013, so several new technologies have been developed to replace those. The current 2ZR-FXE engine will be significantly modified, while the inverter and motor will be downsized but deliver more power.
Q: And what about the batteries?
A: Ah, yes. We will continue to offer NiMH batteries as well as the lithium-ion variety. I know you'd expect by now that we upgrade all cars to Li-ion, but to tell the truth, our engineers have found that NiMH batteries actually manage power delivery better when it comes to intensive consumption and recharging of electricity.
Q: Really? So that's why the changeover to Li-ion is taking longer than expected? By the way, we haven't really spoken about fuel efficiency targets yet. Can you give me an idea of what to expect?
A: OK. The lower hood height and roof height are both aimed at improving aerodynamics and mileage, which we expect to clear 40km/L. That's about 90 miles/gallon, which is about 20 percent better than the current car's 70 miles/gallon. [Note: Expect mileage in the U.S. car to improve from 50 mpg to at least 60 mpg combined.]
Q: That's a significant improvement. But what about the Prius PHV that has just been launched in Japan?
A: Given the initial high cost of the PHV and the fact that we don't foresee great advances in electric charging infrastructure in the near future, we don't expect that specification to have made significant strides by 2015. For your information, a PHV version will be launched at the same time as the next Prius, which as you may have guessed is slated for a 2015 debut.
Q: What kind of performance can we expect from the PHV?
A: In EV mode, it will have a maximum speed of around 62 mph while its range in EV mode will be around 22 miles. As far as mileage goes, we have heard that it will be rated at 112 mpg in Europe with CO2 of 49g/km.
Q: Will the drivetrain stay the same?
A: Good question. Actually, the next Prius will be the first model to get 4WD. The rear wheels will be driven by a motor in what we call an e-4WD system. Targeting snowy areas, the rears will operate up to 37 mph. Above that speed, it becomes a purely front-wheel drive car.
Overall, it sounds like a huge leap forward is in store for the Prius. It can't come soon enough, as European hybrids, EVs, U.S. range-extenders, and even Mazda's new Skyactiv technology are all looking to cut into Toyota's hybrid dominance. A new Prius that looks sleeker and sportier, and with improved handling and better mileage? This total redefinition cannot come quick enough.
Courtesy of Motor Trend
