When Toyota redesigned its compact RAV4 SUV in 2006, it was, all of a sudden, not so compact anymore. Its new dimensions put it into close competition with the first-generation Highlander being sold alongside it - so it was clear a new Highlander was on its way - but when?
A partial answer came earlier this year at the Chicago Auto Show when the 2008 Highlander was revealed, but this new model never made it to the Canadian auto show circuit. That makes the preproduction hybrid version that Toyota brought to Ottawa for the launch of its cross-country Hybrid Tour, the first 2008 Highlander to make it onto Canadian soil for public viewing.
Not that there was much wrong with the original Highlander (aside from its lack of personality), but this new one appears to be a big improvement over the first-gen model. Most notably, it's much larger, both physically and visually, with attractive, if not particularly distinctive, styling compared to competitors in the rapidly ballooning mid-size crossover class.
Toyota wasn't letting journalists drive this preproduction car, but encouraged journalists and the public alike to poke around in it as much as we liked.
Well, I bought a 2004 Highlander because it wasn't as big as a Honda Pilot, which the 2008 Highlander looks like it will be. The smaller size (especially width) is big advantage in city driving and parallel parking.
Well, I bought a 2004 Highlander because it wasn't as big as a Honda Pilot, which the 2008 Highlander looks like it will be. The smaller size (especially width) is big advantage in city driving and parallel parking.
RAV4 I guess? It's pretty darn spacious.
__________________
2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
EV button allows the user to "forcefully" shut the engine off (or keep it off if it's already off).
Based on my Prius, it will cancel in the following situation
- you're going over 55km/h
- batterySOC is low
- you accelerated too hard past a set accelerator pedal angle.
EV Drive mode allows you to accelerate harder in EV without having the engine on (no more feathering). It allows you to start the car and move it (say in/out of the garage) without having the engine come on.
etc etc etc.
__________________
2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
EV button allows the user to "forcefully" shut the engine off (or keep it off if it's already off).
Based on my Prius, it will cancel in the following situation
- you're going over 55km/h
- batterySOC is low
- you accelerated too hard past a set accelerator pedal angle.
EV Drive mode allows you to accelerate harder in EV without having the engine on (no more feathering). It allows you to start the car and move it (say in/out of the garage) without having the engine come on.
etc etc etc.
EV button will allow driver to drive in electric mode only... under certain circumstances.
Battery must be at 90%+ charge
No defroster on
Vehicle temperature must be at operating temp (warmed up)
7/8 of a mile is max distance
EV can only be engaged when at a complete stop or vehicle already in electric mode (remember, battery has to be at 90% state of charge already)
very slow acceleration and top speed of about 25 mph
I think such a button would be very handy for urban-only driving, or serious traffic jam.
Surely some hackers will probably be able to hack and reconfigure some parameters to have higher limits before the engine kicks in?
hopefully the new one is more fun to drive than the current one.....its a snooze to drive unless u have the hybrid, which is remarkibly quick.
it certainly looks much better than its boring and horribly outclassed predecessor
EV button will allow driver to drive in electric mode only... under certain circumstances.
Battery must be at 90%+ charge
Vehicle temperature must be at operating temp (warmed up)
7/8 of a mile is max distance
EV can only be engaged when at a complete stop or vehicle already in electric mode (remember, battery has to be at 90% state of charge already)
very slow acceleration and top speed of about 25 mph
ok, I'm not sure where you got that info but I'll correct a few of them
1. No, the battery doesn't not have to be at 90%+ SOC. In fact, it cannot be 90% SOC cause the battery is limited to 40-80% SOC. As long as you have 3 bars or more (~55% SOC), you're fine
2. Not necessarily. If you engage the EV Drive mode BEFORE the engine starts, then you can toodle around in EV mode. However, if the engine starts, then your statement is valid and the engine must be warmed up before EV Drive mode can engage
3. Depends. If you mean crawling (e.g. bumper-to-bumper), ya probably. But if you glide, it'll last longer
4. Nope. You can engage it on the fly as long as you're below 55km/h. If the engine's running, it'll shut it off. If the engine's off, well, then it'll just go to EV Drive mode without having to shut off the engine. You can accelerate decently in EV Drive mode actually. I got up to 50km/h without the guy behind me tailgating (or even knowing I was in EV Drive mode).
__________________
2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
I think such a button would be very handy for urban-only driving, or serious traffic jam.
Surely some hackers will probably be able to hack and reconfigure some parameters to have higher limits before the engine kicks in?
Well, the reason why the parameters are there is because:
1. The battery SOC is strictly managed so 2 bars is as far as it'll let you. This is to prolong the life of the battery
2. The battery can only provide so much power (28hp on the Prius) so going past a certain pedal angle means you want more power so the engine comes on (The computer can't distinguish whether you "accidentally" exceeded past the threshold angle or you really needed that power to avoid something e.g turning left)
3. If the battery is hot, then it'll stop using the battery to prevent overheating (there's a fan behind the vent that will come on if needed).
I'm pretty sure you don't want to mess around with the parameters after I've explained the reasoning behind it.
Of course I'd like more EV range. The only way is a more powerful electric motor and battery.
__________________
2010 Prius Technology Package (Cdn)
OEM Cargo Mat, OEM All-Weather Mat, LED ext/int lights, 5000K HID, OEM Fogs, Euro Mudguards
Well, the reason why the parameters are there is because:
1. The battery SOC is strictly managed so 2 bars is as far as it'll let you. This is to prolong the life of the battery
2. The battery can only provide so much power (28hp on the Prius) so going past a certain pedal angle means you want more power so the engine comes on (The computer can't distinguish whether you "accidentally" exceeded past the threshold angle or you really needed that power to avoid something e.g turning left)
3. If the battery is hot, then it'll stop using the battery to prevent overheating (there's a fan behind the vent that will come on if needed).
I'm pretty sure you don't want to mess around with the parameters after I've explained the reasoning behind it.
Of course I'd like more EV range. The only way is a more powerful electric motor and battery.
Thanks Tideland. The reason I said hacking/changing the parameters was based on the info that shoot79 gave, which the limits are rather low. Since you corrected the info, it seems much more sensible, and if I'm the owner I wouldn't change a thing.
Although, we can be sure there're some daring gearheads out there who would hack the system to do some serious "performance" mods (and void their warranties as well)
The AutoGuide.com network consists of the largest network of enthusiast-owned enthusiast-operated automotive communities.
AutoGuide.com provides the latest car reviews, auto show coverage, new car prices, and automotive news. The AutoGuide network operates more than 100 automotive forums where our users consult peers for shopping information and advice, and share opinions as a community.
ToyotaNation.com is an independent Toyota/Lexus enthusiast website. ToyotaNation.com is not sponsored by or in any way affiliated with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Toyota, Lexus and Scion names and logos are trademarks owned by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
Linear Mode
