2009 Prius Thread
#21
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
The Vectrix isn't, but that's a problem of the Vectrix company, not the fuel cells.
That FCHV sounds like driving a bomb... compressed hydrogen... dangerous. It's cool Toyota's already got a hydrogen-based vehicle but the storage of it needs to be improved - you basically need a car that can work off of gas, or hydrogen-combined liquids that are easy to catalyze, let the car propagate using existing gas stations, then hope there's so many out there some stations begin to offer the hydrogen-mixed fuel to take advantage of the market. So it would basically need 2 fuel tanks and catalyze either, which might mean 2 fuel cell stacks - but again those Protonex cells are a good example of cells that can provide all a Prius needs with very little volume and mass consumed.
That FCHV sounds like driving a bomb... compressed hydrogen... dangerous. It's cool Toyota's already got a hydrogen-based vehicle but the storage of it needs to be improved - you basically need a car that can work off of gas, or hydrogen-combined liquids that are easy to catalyze, let the car propagate using existing gas stations, then hope there's so many out there some stations begin to offer the hydrogen-mixed fuel to take advantage of the market. So it would basically need 2 fuel tanks and catalyze either, which might mean 2 fuel cell stacks - but again those Protonex cells are a good example of cells that can provide all a Prius needs with very little volume and mass consumed.
#22
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Originally Posted by SoopahMan
The Vectrix isn't, but that's a problem of the Vectrix company, not the fuel cells.
That FCHV sounds like driving a bomb... compressed hydrogen... dangerous.
Have you?
Ken@Japan
#23
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Well, all I want to point out is that those fuel cells are ready to do exactly what Toyota had mapped out, today. The scooter is going to come out eventually, yadda yadda - but the fuel cells could be put in a 2010 Prius today, Toyota's just got to get through the design. And I have more faith in Toyota to get it done than a little startup company whose only product is an expensive scooter.
As for the compressed hydrogen, there are what, 20 in the world, I think Toyota said? Some careful drivers those 20 probably are... . Car wrecks happen in many unhappy and unpredictable ways. I have trouble envisioning any way to store highly compressed hydrogen gas that would never lead to a massive highway explosion. Or with many cars driving that way... many massive highway explosions.
If you had to go the way of alternative fuels being put in a new car, I'd rather see a Biodiesel fuel cell based Prius; that stuff won't burn if you smash it with a semi, and it's renewable.
As for the compressed hydrogen, there are what, 20 in the world, I think Toyota said? Some careful drivers those 20 probably are... . Car wrecks happen in many unhappy and unpredictable ways. I have trouble envisioning any way to store highly compressed hydrogen gas that would never lead to a massive highway explosion. Or with many cars driving that way... many massive highway explosions.
If you had to go the way of alternative fuels being put in a new car, I'd rather see a Biodiesel fuel cell based Prius; that stuff won't burn if you smash it with a semi, and it's renewable.
#24
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
SoopahMan,
I think you're dreaming too much.
Before dreaming, please understand the real world and the real Prius.
Prius is designed as gas-electric hybrid, period.
It is not designed for fuel cell nor plug-in.
Ken@Japan
I think you're dreaming too much.
Before dreaming, please understand the real world and the real Prius.
Prius is designed as gas-electric hybrid, period.
It is not designed for fuel cell nor plug-in.
Ken@Japan
#25
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Originally Posted by Picasso Moon
I find it amazing that just because someone wants a mute button you instantly can analyze their listening habits. Then go on the quite condescendingly tell us you like more variety. Give me a break.
Originally Posted by Picasso Moon
By your logic why not just get rid of the steering wheel controls all together? Honestly, how hard is it to just hit the volume control, mode buttons etc. on the dash?
As for hitting the other buttons on the dash, it's not a big deal to me. I usually hit the power button once during a drive - when I stop the car and am not looking at the road. I adjust volume and change modes while I'm driving. Not that it's much safer, but still...
I agree that power and mute buttons would be nice to have; I'd just prefer to keep existing functions rather than replacing them, maybe by sticking a mute button between the vol up & down buttons, splitting the Mode to be Mode & Power, whatever. Good suggestions are good suggestions, no matter what. If they DO add a power button and don't replace Mode, maybe they'll disable the "power-on" feature of the Mode button. Or better yet, change Mode so that holding it down powers off. How's that? Make us both happy!
Last edited by uwaku; 09-20-2006 at 09:47 AM.
#26
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Prius shopper & new member here. We started to buy an 06 last year but decided we could get another year or two out of the Camry. With all the discussion about a pending re-design, I'm unsure whether to wait longer or try for a better deal on an 07 or even a used model. Is there any existing discussion or analysis on this somewhere?
Happy New Year!
Dale
Happy New Year!
Dale
#27
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Don't know if it has been posted, but a very realistic option would be to have the user's settings remember mirrors, steering wheel and motorized driver seat positions on top of bluetooth phone and screen settings only. Such an advanced car should be cappable of doing things cars from 30 years ago were cappable of doing. Thoghts of comfort should go beyond leg room for a car that has the oportunity to litterally write history, just hope it be a nicely written history with ALL THE BELLS AND WHISTLES.
Last edited by fluteman; 12-31-2006 at 10:38 AM.
#28
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
Prius shopper & new member here. We started to buy an 06 last year but decided we could get another year or two out of the Camry. With all the discussion about a pending re-design, I'm unsure whether to wait longer or try for a better deal on an 07 or even a used model. Is there any existing discussion or analysis on this somewhere?
Happy New Year!
Dale
Happy New Year!
Dale
The car is a technology showcase and has real promise, but for the little real world mileage gain we are seeing vs the competition, we are looking for a more fun car to drive. When Toyota comes out with the total redesign, we may look again, but at that time we will be looking with a much more critical eye. If they redesign so that it can run 100% on battery for say 50 miles, return to analog controls for daily functions like radio and climate control, and dramatically improve rear vision, then that would be a great start.
#29
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
IMHO, you should wait. We have a 2006 and of all the new cars we've owned, this one is really a mixed bag....The two most annoying are poor rear vision and important controls like the climate control and radio being on a computer screen. But there are numerous other weaknesses the sum of which have left us enjoying the car less than hoped for. These are uncomfortable front seats, the gas tank bladder that doesn't let one fill the car's tank and sometimes won't work with some pumps, dead steering and a wandering feeling at speed, anemic heater, front window so huge that it takes forever to defrost, and a somewhat fragile cloth interior. It's not that it's a bad car, it's been very reliable, but the sum total of minor annoyances and a couple of major ones have made the car less than fun to drive.
UTpiper
#30
Re: Prius re-design on the way?
I actually am surprised those features weren't part of the Prius, fluteman, now that you mention them. They sound like a perfect fit.
The way the audio and climate are controlled gets very mixed reviews from people who get in my car. When they aren't looking for them I often hear them say things like "Oh cool, it's a touchscreen?" When they are looking for them, they seem very annoyed. The lag time, however small, of the touchscreen interface is inevitably a step back from physical controls so that much is unfortunate. The LCD is a wonderful add to the car but the flow of screens needs a good UI person's consideration... or reconsideration.
As for that being quirks enough for me to sell this thing... no way. There's a lot I'd improve about the Prius but that's just because it's the best car on the market and anybody would take perfect over great ;o)
The way the audio and climate are controlled gets very mixed reviews from people who get in my car. When they aren't looking for them I often hear them say things like "Oh cool, it's a touchscreen?" When they are looking for them, they seem very annoyed. The lag time, however small, of the touchscreen interface is inevitably a step back from physical controls so that much is unfortunate. The LCD is a wonderful add to the car but the flow of screens needs a good UI person's consideration... or reconsideration.
As for that being quirks enough for me to sell this thing... no way. There's a lot I'd improve about the Prius but that's just because it's the best car on the market and anybody would take perfect over great ;o)