2004 Toyota Prius hybrid car - has BlueTooth.

[Eug]

OMFG I want this car... the 2004 Toyota Prius:

4-door hatchback hybrid
Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (better than SULEV)
Smaller batteries with higher power electric engine
Gas engine is 16-valve with VVT.
Continuous variable transmission.
Push-button start and stop
Smart entry. Autosense owner's key fob and automatically opens car.
World's first electric air conditioning. Works with engine off.
DVD-based navigation system
BlueTooth (WTF?)
Traction control, sport-tuned suspension, anti-lock brakes
Tire pressure warning system
Airbags all around
Cruise control and CD
Fold down seats

Too bad I still have 2 years left on my 2001 Prius lease.

Wired article
Toyota Prius site

 

[Fencer128]

Me too! I don't think I can take the anticipation! Let's hope there's a UK model and it doesn't take too long to hit the market.

Roll on '04.

Andy

 

[Eli]

I like the Honda versions of hybrid cars better. but I give toyota mad props.

 

[Eug]

Originally posted by: Eli
I like the Honda versions of hybrid cars better. but I give toyota mad props.

Why? The Civic looks OK, but I disliked the totally impractical Insight.

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: Eug

Originally posted by: Eli
I like the Honda versions of hybrid cars better. but I give toyota mad props.

Why? The Civic looks OK, but I disliked the totally impractical Insight.

Oh, I don't know, I'm just throwing my opinion around like water. It's not like I've ever driven any of them, so.. lol. The Hondas have better specs than the Prius. I don't know how much that changes with the '04 model.

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Eli
I like the Honda versions of hybrid cars better. but I give toyota mad props.

Considering that the '04 Prius gets CONSIDERABLY better gas mileage than the Civic and is lightyears ahead of it in technology (faster, electric powered A/C motor, DVD nav, now mid-sized instead of compact, etc) and is much larger than the Insight and faster than either one, all for ~ $20,000...Honda doesn't really have a leg to stand on.

 

[LikeLinus]

They've really feature packed this car in an attempt to bring in buyers. I guess the real questions is the price point? Curious how much all of this is going to cost.

 

[Thegonagle]

I prefer most Hondas to most Toyotas, but the Prius is easily the more advanced vehicle, in almost every way. I particularly like that the Toyota can move under electric power alone when appropriate, while in the Honda, unless it's coasting under its own momentum, it MUST keep the engine running if it's moving.

I want a Prius.

 

[tontod]

How much HP does the electric motor have? The previous generation Prius had a 70 HP motor I believe.

 

[aphex]

Bluetooth?
The Bluetooth technology available in Prius allows wireless connections between the car and a Bluetooth-capable mobile phone, allowing for safer and more convenient hands-free use while driving. For more information, see the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Web site. (www.bluetooth.com)

 

[LordThing]

Sweet!!

By the time I am ready to buy again (2006) the hybrids should be right where I want them.

Here is to hoping 2007 is a good year for cars.

 

[Thegonagle]

OOh! I just noticed that it's an all-new car, not just an upgrade to the existing car, and it's a five door hatchback! Now I really, really want one!

 

[Eug]

I'm gonna get one in 2005, when my 2001 Prius lease runs out.

 

[Chadder007]

w00t!!....now I can hack into a car!!!
At least it looks quite a bit better than the current Prius.

 

[Jzero]

I hope they fix Aztek-inspired rear-end

 

[UNCjigga]

So whaddya think of the new Ford Escape hybrid (first hybrid SUV AFAIK)???

 

[toant103]

Originally posted by: Eug
OMFG I want this car... the 2004 Toyota Prius:

4-door hatchback hybrid
Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (better than SULEV)
Smaller batteries with higher power electric engine
Gas engine is 16-valve with VVT.
Continuous variable transmission.
Push-button start and stop
Smart entry. Autosense owner's key fob and automatically opens car.
World's first electric air conditioning. Works with engine off.
DVD-based navigation system
BlueTooth (WTF?)
Traction control, sport-tuned suspension, anti-lock brakes
Tire pressure warning system
Airbags all around
Cruise control and CD
Fold down seats

Too bad I still have 2 years left on my 2001 Prius lease.

Wired article
Toyota Prius site

not bad looking, kinda like the Vibe

 

[SuperTool]

Looks like Aztek

 

[ElFenix]

that thing is midsize now? what, did they make midsize a smaller category now?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
that thing is midsize now? what, did they make midsize a smaller category now?

Yes, it is midsized. Read here:

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/96999/page009.html

A teardrop-shaped, five-door body gives the new Prius an extremely low (0.26) coefficient of drag, promising better fuel efficiency and a quieter ride. It's also more efficient with space, with the larger cabin vaulting the car from compact to midsize status. A six-inch-longer wheelbase provides more legroom, and a "smart entry" option allows the driver (with key fob in pocket) to get in, start (via a starter button) and drive the Prius away without touching a key.

 

[ElFenix]

6 inches longer would probably do it. very euro-centric styling. it is better looking than the previous model, though

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
6 inches longer would probably do it. very euro-centric styling. it is better looking than the previous model, though

I thought it looked like CRAP when I first saw the pics. I bashed it all to hell.

Now that I've seen it from all angles, it looks pretty nifty. They need to ditch the rice lights though

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: uncJIGGA
So whaddya think of the new Ford Escape hybrid (first hybrid SUV AFAIK)???

I didn't know this was out yet. ?

 

[Alternex]

Electric-only mode ("stealth mode")
Electric-only mode, or stealth mode, is a unique feature of Type III hybrid vehicles that allows the vehicle to drive at low speeds without the engine turning on. This saves gas and produces less noise.

That's awesome! I wonder how long you can drive like this?

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Alternex

Electric-only mode ("stealth mode")
Electric-only mode, or stealth mode, is a unique feature of Type III hybrid vehicles that allows the vehicle to drive at low speeds without the engine turning on. This saves gas and produces less noise.

That's awesome! I wonder how long you can drive like this?

The would be EXTREMELY useful for sitting in traffic (since the A/C motor is now electric) and for driving around in circles for a parking spot at the mall.