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I can read the Toyota features sheet.
What do you mean by that?
Killerpiece
Thanks again...
Killerpiece :shades:
Also, the ebay auction above appears to be totally bogus. They didn't even take the time to use a picture of an actual TCH.
No fold downs, like in the SE and XLEs. I do believe it has the reclining seats in place of that.
The XLE has 40/20/40 split manually-reclining rear seats. The seats don't fold down, just the middle "20%" folds down for a small pass-through.
I have been browsing the web, and came across this article.
http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/hybrid_cars/hybrid_technology_poised_for_maj- or_revolution.htm
Looks like NiMH batteries are giving way to Li Ion batteries, which is 5 times more powerful, lasts 10 times longer, weighs 80% less, Charges much faster and will cut down production costs. It is predicted that short commutes could be entirely powered by the electric motor. 2008 prius is roumored to be the first vehicle to be produced with this battery which will boost its power, increase fuel economy and cut down the price of the car!!! Is it amazing or what?
Brake by wire may also come in in this timeframe.
As for me, I have my Camry hybrid coming in on May 15th, and am begining to wonder if I should hold back for the 2008 prius?
Anyone else came across similar articles, or any thoughts?
Thanks
SJ
The original article in Autoweek news date 10/28/2005 also says that lithium-ion batteries are more expensive; they still have a number of problems related to short-circuiting; and they have yet to be proved crashworthy. This will be evolution not revolution, just as with the evolution of batteries for cell phones, cameras, and other battery powered devices.
Brake by wire may also come in in this timeframe (2008)
The original article cited (also in Autoweek news dated 10/28/2005) on using drive-by-wire technology (instead of hydraulics) to convert braking energy into battery charge quotes two experts saying "doesn't see it in production until at least 2010" and "available in mainstream vehicles less than $25,000 in five to 10 years". Given the time it's taken to convert commercial aircraft to fly-by-wire (decades) this too may take time to evolve down to mainstream cars.
My understanding is the Lithium batteries are OK until you try to make larger cells. Something to do with the cobalt having a runaway chemical reaction, causing a fire. I don't believe anyone has Lithium Ion batteries ready for commercial sale in a hybrid car. Several companies are working hard to make it happen. Cost is still prohibitive.
I'd also love some comments from those of you who have seen it firsthand--what about the trunk?? Just how functional is the small 10.6 cu ft? Is it well arranged in terms of putting in larger suitcases?
Annie.. I think it's a little lighter than the current Silver Pine Mica on the Avalons and Sienna's. It's a brand new, unique color for the TCH's so few if any have seen it.
Does the TCH drive much nicer than the Hybrid Accord?
Is there any sportiness to it?
How does it rank on the LUXO scale? Do you feel like you are in a Camry, or do you feel like you are in a Lexus ES?
Are the seats supportive? I just rode in my buddy's Ininiti G35 and I was surprised at how crummy the seats are. (then again, we all know that Nissan put its money into horsepower and not much else in that car - not that that is a bad thing, but I am over 200 pounds and over 6 feet, and I need a decent seat)
Interested in overall perceptions of the TCH and how it compares to other vehicles you considered.
Also (of course), real world highway MPG, city MPG, and blended MPG would be interesting.
ps I did read the FirstDrive review, but it doesn't answer any important questions.
Dont get yourself into a trap trying to justify a 4c ICE vs a TCH by saving fuel - unless you drive mega miles a year. The tax saving is a benefit but it's likely transitory.
Down the road you will certainly be able to buy a CE Camry much much lower than a TCH. If it is purely for budget reasons the CE is a better more economical buy.
If however, one were considering an ICE 4c XLE or a V6 LE or V6 XLE trim then a TCH is roughly equivalent in MSRP. The market will deterimine the discounts for each trim level.
A buyer can look at the TCH as a 4c XLE with V6 power ( similar amenities ) or purely as a V6 with 35-40 mpg fuel economy.
I have a '99 Passat right now and I feel like I have SO much room around my head that the whole environment feels spacious and open. I felt quite constricted in the Camry. I even get a bit of it in the Camry without the sunroof.
I have mentioned this feeling in other forums where I was accused of lying. One guy said he was 6' 2" and had plenty of headroom. So, I'm trying to explain in greater detail what it felt like.
I mention it for those of you who may order a TCH without being able to thoroughly try it out. (Note that my experience was in an XLE with a sunroof. I expect the TCH to be the same.)
Would like to get some feedback from others who are around 6' tall. Am I just spoiled by the Passat? :surprise:
There are a couple of 250,000 sports cars out there with LiIon batteries... but expensive, as you note.
Yes, I find it claustrophobic. And I am 5'4". Because the waistline of the car is so high, I have trouble seeing out the windows unless I crank the seat height up. Then my head is within 3" of the lining which is too close. My current Gen 3 camry has a lower waistline and I sit lower down and have about 7" to the headliner. Our other car is a 2000 Honda CRV and even the 6'4" driver has 5" of headroom (and I have a vaulted ceiling above me).
HOWEVER, since it won't be possible to get anything other than a base TCH without a sunroof for "some time" (undefined period) I have decided to live with it.
This is the perfect vehicle for Schenectady's past as the city that 'lit and hauled the US'.
We are more concerned with what options are on the car rather than the color. I want everything but the sunroof is something I never use. I like the Blue Ribbon and the Barcelona Red. Titanium would be pretty but I am ready for something other than Desert Sand which is about the color of my 95 Camry that I will be replacing. I do LOVE that baby blue color and was disappointed to see it wasn't supposed to be available in the hybrid.
Does Toyota have a feature "wish list" anywhere?
or did I say something to piss you guys off?
:P
No, I don't think anyone has an idea yet and did not respond for that reason. It is a legitimate question. I am not sure they will be in the same demographic. They have more in common than not. If the TCH does not get significantly better mileage I would say the Accord may be the better choice. I imagine the Accord will have better performance. Time will tell.
Sales of the HAH are running around 500 units a month. The TCH should be about 6-8 times that many until the end of the year when they should move up to 12-15 times as many. The market will speak though.
thus, the Camry....or the Accord...or the GS350H :-)
or a Volvo C70 convertible
;-)
The trunk: It certainly is not as deep as a regular Camry trunk, as you can tell from the previously posted pictures. However, I was surprised by it's usefullness. For a comparison, I traded in my 2003 Passat W8, and I had a bunch of stuff in its trunk (two file boxes, an x-ray lightboard, and my golf clubs). The Passat trunk was pretty full with these items. I was easily able to get all three in the TCH trunk. I think this is because the TCH trunk is deeper (as in ceiling to floor) than the Passat. One other thing of note in the trunk. I couldn't tell by the pictures, but hanging from the top of the trunk, towards the seat, is a big black box that provides cooling and air filtration to the battery. It's actually kinda interesting. There is also a big vent (not seen in any pictures I have viewed) along the back by the rear window. Finally, the 12 volt car battery is in the trunk, ala BMW. To summize, the trunk is better than I anticipated.
Initial driving impressions are good. I am avergaing about 30 mph over the first 30 miles or so. I have noticed that on first starting it up this morning, the gas engine runs more often, while the batteries warm up. I anticipate that the batteries will be a bit tempature-tempramental. The silent battery only operation is extremely cool, and so far I have been able to go about 33 mph on battery only.
So, that's my early impression.
Should anyone have a specific question, I will try to provide an answer.
A little more info on the trunk. It has a donut spare in it. Accordingly, I am registering with AAA today.
All 2007 Camrys have the donut spare; I was a bit disappointed to see that, as I've had 2 previous Camrys and they've all had full-sized spares, but I'll learn to live with it!