Possible Fourth-Gen Toyota Prius Prototype Caught In The Wild

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: May 18th, 2015

possible fourth gen toyota prius prototype caught in the wild

Out and about at a Chevron in Baker, Calif. this weekend, a PriusChat forum member happened upon what could be the fourth-gen Toyota Prius.

The member, Savior1974, whipped out his smartphone to roll film on the find, heavily disguised as prototypes are wont to do, AutoGuide reports. Whether the Prius was a mule or something more, however, could not be confirmed.

The upcoming Prius was held back for further refinement to its styling — which may take cues from the C-HR Concept from last year’s Paris Auto Show — and to prepare it for Toyota’s New Global Architecture modular platform.

The new hybrid is set for production by the end of this year, with its showroom debut expected the following spring.

[Photo credit: Savior1974/ PriusChat]

#Baker #California #ModularPlatforms #Prius #PriusChat #Prototypes #SpyVideo #Toyota #ToyotaNewGlobalArchitecture

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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Turf3 on May 18, 2015

So will it still have the weird anti-visibility split rear window (that was copied for the Volt), or have they figured out that windows are for seeing out of?

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- Suto on May 18, 2015
  
  The window is split because the rear is very close to as aerodynamic as possible. The roof needs to taper down to roughly 1/2 of the body height. Toyota added visibility by making what would be the vertical surface of the trunk transparent. A recent article on this site by Jack Baruth said rear visibility was actually really good. I believe the Honda CRX had the split window as well.
  
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- Kyree on May 18, 2015
  
  @Suto It did. As did the (makes-me-gag-just-thinking-about-it) Pontiac Aztek. Yes, that bar is there to provide structure and to separate the actual rear windscreen from the additional transparent glass you mentioned, but it didn't hinder my rear visibility when I drove it. What I'd like is for Toyota to disable that chime that sounds when you're in reverse, if they haven't already. It's a small-ish hatchback, not a medium-duty truck.
  
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- Emeshuris on May 18, 2015
  
  @Kyree You can disable it, also you can disable the seat belt chime. Google for older versions you can do it without the obd2 plug, newer seems like it is only with that.
  
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Pebble on May 18, 2015

Props to Baker, California, a cool place to be.

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- 6250Claimer on May 18, 2015
  
  But did they stop at the Bun Boy?
  
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Kyree on May 18, 2015

I'm interested in what Toyota will do with the next Prius family. Since at least the Mk.2 version, it has excelled at being an economical, practical and reliable form of transportation, and has a loyal following due to such. But Ford's recent hybrids are a little more interesting to drive and have better interfaces and features. Hopefully---even though the Ford hybrids aren't quite as competitive on fuel economy as we had initially expected---Toyota will consider them a legitimate threat (because they are) and up the Prius' content and wow-factor appropriately.

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- Chocolatedeath on May 18, 2015
  
  I have had to opportunity to rent both for about a week each and just like you stated the Prius has those traits and they are indeed positive. The Ford is a better driving, riding, steering with superior overall feel. The Ford has a much higher quality interior but fails the MPG test. I got 42 mpg for a weeks worth of driving in SF. I expect the Yota to average 55 mpg. Dont ask me why its just what I feel. When the CMax is renewed I expect that to hit 47 for real.
  
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- LeMansteve on May 19, 2015
  
  @Chocolatedeath 42mpg is pretty good. The Prius may get better gas mileage than that but unless you are paying over $4 for a gallon of gas, the difference is not significant.
  
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W.Minter on May 18, 2015

New Prius, I suppose. Much higher (=larger) trunk than now as far as I see (under the cover), lower loading floor (educated guess: battery will move under the rear bench as in the EUDM Auris). Dashboard from the Mirai. They will keep the split window, too iconic. Wishlist: - 2 liter 6AR-FXE, 152 hp total, electric driving possible at any speed - Automated driving features (Radar + Eyesight) - A Lexus variant, as long as it's not named Priul, Lius or Linus - Emulated gears. Or they kill the HSD in favor for Aisin's 8 speed auto + the 2 electric motors anywhere else

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