Prius Refresh When?

[blue verso 56]

It is normal for manufacturers to do a minor refresh of a model through a models lifetime to add a little extra in the way of bits that were left off at first launch does anyone have any idea when the model 2012 range will or if it will be launched as it is 2years since the original launch and would expect some type of refresh soon ?

Thanks for any replies

[Phoenix999]

It is normal for manufacturers to do a minor refresh of a model through a models lifetime to add a little extra in the way of bits that were left off at first launch does anyone have any idea when the model 2012 range will or if it will be launched as it is 2years since the original launch and would expect some type of refresh soon ?

Thanks for any replies

Blimey I have to suggest that you are somewhat impatient.... 2 years is far from a long time and any revamp would cost millions. If Toyota do indeed change elements of the current Prius then they have to know that it is financially worthwhile. Now is not the time for that!

[blue verso 56]

Steve

I do not see how it would cost millions as it usual for a minor refresh through a models range and is a common practice within the motor industry ! we are not talking about about a major redesign but just a tweak in specification. I see on the USA Prius site they are talking of minor improvements to the specification for the 2012 range of cars .

When a car is launched and you look at the specification it has you can usually see what has been left off for introduction to the specification at a later date

[Jan&tone]

Tweaks normally come twice in a cars lifetime, once around 3 years after introduction and another about a year before the model change.

Wasn't it the mk2 Escort that for the last 6 months of its life had eveey conceivable extra as a standard fitment!

[Seamaster73]

Doesn't seem to be much change, if the US Prius site is to be believed. The Americans get HUD for the first time, but lose IPA. Rear view camera will be standard across the range. That's pretty much it.

[Arifax]

Tweaks normally come twice in a cars lifetime, once around 3 years after introduction and another about a year before the model change.

Wasn't it the mk2 Escort that for the last 6 months of its life had eveey conceivable extra as a standard fitment!

In the days of the Cortina Mk I and II (which gives away my age) Ford kept models going well past their sell-by dates by adding extras each year without increasing the price. Everything that had been a pricey extra at the beginning of a new car was standard by the end of it's life although always, of course, advertised as "Now with free etc etc".

Talking of age, I remember when Fords came in two versions - "Standard" and "Deluxe". On deluxe you got carpets and a heater (I am not joking). Real luxury items such as wing mirrors and radios were still extras.

Geoff

[acetip]

Tweaks normally come twice in a cars lifetime, once around 3 years after introduction and another about a year before the model change.

Wasn't it the mk2 Escort that for the last 6 months of its life had eveey conceivable extra as a standard fitment!

In the days of the Cortina Mk I and II (which gives away my age) Ford kept models going well past their sell-by dates by adding extras each year without increasing the price. Everything that had been a pricey extra at the beginning of a new car was standard by the end of it's life although always, of course, advertised as "Now with free etc etc".

Talking of age, I remember when Fords came in two versions - "Standard" and "Deluxe". On deluxe you got carpets and a heater (I am not joking). Real luxury items such as wing mirrors and radios were still extras.

Geoff

Back in the 1960s it was common fot heaters,radios,screen washers and not to be fitted on basic model in a range.

a vauxhall victor i had if wanted a the interor light to operate when opening the doors you had to buy the switches although the wiring and hole in the door frame was already there.

a very cheap and easy mod to do.also no brake servo only on the top models.again easy to fit.the short brake pipe from m/cylinder to servo was already bent to the correct shape when you brought the parts to fit one over the counter.those days there was plenty of room to work around the engine bay,unlike now.

[Jan&tone]

Tweaks normally come twice in a cars lifetime, once around 3 years after introduction and another about a year before the model change.

Wasn't it the mk2 Escort that for the last 6 months of its life had eveey conceivable extra as a standard fitment!

In the days of the Cortina Mk I and II (which gives away my age) Ford kept models going well past their sell-by dates by adding extras each year without increasing the price. Everything that had been a pricey extra at the beginning of a new car was standard by the end of it's life although always, of course, advertised as "Now with free etc etc".

Talking of age, I remember when Fords came in two versions - "Standard" and "Deluxe". On deluxe you got carpets and a heater (I am not joking). Real luxury items such as wing mirrors and radios were still extras.

Geoff

Back in the 1960s it was common fot heaters,radios,screen washers and not to be fitted on basic model in a range.

a vauxhall victor i had if wanted a the interor light to operate when opening the doors you had to buy the switches although the wiring and hole in the door frame was already there.

a very cheap and easy mod to do.also no brake servo only on the top models.again easy to fit.the short brake pipe from m/cylinder to servo was already bent to the correct shape when you brought the parts to fit one over the counter.those days there was plenty of room to work around the engine bay,unlike now.

Yes agree with all the above - I remember it well!! I also remember my Dad having a sit-up-and-beg Ford Popular - leather seats as standard in those days .... none of this 1200 quid extra for leather option!!

The 100E was in black and later the 105E was beige... both with leather seats too! although the 105E had a heater AND a radio :)

[kithmo]

Then leather changed to Vinyl in the late 60s.

Why don't they do Vinyl now, as an option, I wonder ? It was easy to clean and quite hard wearing compared to cloth.

[Ikelos]

good grief, my first set of wheels was a 100E, oh happy days.......

[pmf]

The competition is getting tougher for the Prius and with other manufacturers launching new economical models and hybrids soon, Toyota need to take a step up in the economy side of things soon. I am a fan of the Prius but the new plug in Prius for most folk is not going to be the answer for a while and is very costly. As an example have a look at the spec for the Volvo S40 e drive. Its more economical, looks similar size and road tax free. The downside, it is a diesel but for most folk I don't think they care. They tend to only look at CO2 figures and not the other issues with diesels. It is less powerful but its also cheaper to buy. Previously you would have to look at smaller diesels to see similar fuel consumption to the Prius. I am looking only at the basics on a page and haven't tried a volvo to really compare but the adverts do catch the eye re fuel economy. I really hope the Prius has another step to come soon for the standard hybrid car similar to the economy improvement between Gen 2 and 3.

[blue verso 56]

As I suggested its not unusual for a minor refresh after 2 years especially as you point out the competition increases with new models coming from other manufactures.A prime example of a upgrade that could be made is folding door mirrors its not even an option ?

One thing that many people fail to see with the Prius when comparing the fuel economy with diesel models is the Auto box ! an auto box unless its a DSG or power-shift kills fuel economy .

The 5 year warranty on the Toyota is a good selling point and also the 8 year Battery warranty .

When the Prius gen3 came out in 2009 they cut the warranty on the new cars compared with the Gen2 prius and was one the reasons I did not buy a Prius last time! I am pleased to see that the warranty has now been improved

[johalareewi]

As an example have a look at the spec for the Volvo S40 e drive.

So I did...

Model DRIVe start/stop (115hp)

Fuel consumption (urban)

Six-speed manual gearbox 61.4 mpg

Fuel consumption (extra urban)

Six-speed manual gearbox 85.6 mpg

Not bad but it is a manual gearbox. So lets look at the auto gearbox....

Model D3 (150hp)

Fuel consumption (urban)

Six-speed Geartronic transmission 37.2 mpg

Fuel consumption (extra urban)

Six-speed Geartronic transmission 62.8 mpg

Not so good.

[johalareewi]

Back on topic.

Prius gen3 gets a refresh for 2012...

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/world-debut-of-the-new-toyota-prius-family-prius-plug-in-hybrid-prius-and-the-new-prius-at-2011-frankfurt-motor-show

Exterior changes to this model include a more dynamic front. The revised design places emphasis on an enlarged lower grille, in keeping with the new face of the next generation of Toyota vehicles. The headlamp configuration has been revised and daytime running lights have been incorporated into the bumper.

Inside, the centre console has been revised, and more affordable multimedia equipment choices have been introduced, including Toyota Touch and a new JBL Matrix Premium Sound System with GreenEdge energy-saving technology.

[flow]

Back on topic.

Prius gen3 gets a refresh for 2012...

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/world-debut-of-the-new-toyota-prius-family-prius-plug-in-hybrid-prius-and-the-new-prius-at-2011-frankfurt-motor-show

Exterior changes to this model include a more dynamic front. The revised design places emphasis on an enlarged lower grille, in keeping with the new face of the next generation of Toyota vehicles. The headlamp configuration has been revised and daytime running lights have been incorporated into the bumper.

Inside, the centre console has been revised, and more affordable multimedia equipment choices have been introduced, including Toyota Touch and a new JBL Matrix Premium Sound System with GreenEdge energy-saving technology.

With abit of luck, they will have improved the cheap looking interior too.

[Red diesel]

All interesting stuff lads

However its worth noting the disclaimer in the back of most manufacturers brochures, "Manufacturer X has a policy

of continours improvement. Consequently the specifications may be changed at various times without notice (or words to that effect). Please contact your nearest manufacturer X dealer for the latest specification details".

In short manufacturers (who are on the ball) are constantly looking to improve their products and may bring updates to market at anytime.

Regarding the Prius itself - theres a few things worthy of note, many people compare a Prius to a diesel on the basis of fuel consumption only. However there are a number of issues worthy of note, firstly many modern diesels like the Volvo S40 outlined earlier have DPFs, making them not very suited to (extended) town use. As some of you know the DPFs get blocked up if the car doesn't get a sufficient number of open road drives (or too much town driving). This is not an issue with the Prius, the other thing is modern diesel reliability generally, well it seems a bit pants really overall. It seems normal these days to have 3 to 4 grand bills at between 70 and 100 000 miles, again the Prius seems to avoid these issues and tends to have good reliability overall.

Red diesel