Hi John,
First welcome and I understand you currently have no hybrid. Are you 'kicking the tires' stage or something else?
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Originally Posted by johnpoxon
I am from the UK I am currently researching within the area of hybrid electric vehicles and have been trying to improve the way in which refinement of these vehicles is assessed during the early design stages. I have driven a Toyota Prius on a number of occasions. I have also had some subjective assessors stating that the feedback through the steering wheel is quite heavy, and the brake sounds are very squeaking when applying the brake pedal very hard, for example.
Just a question to anyone who has any feelings on any of the refinement issues with regards to the Toyota Prius you own, or have driven? What would you specify as both the positive and negative points Toyota have managed to achieve with the Toyota Prius? Who knows with your help, we may be able to improve something that is already a fine piece of manufacturing.
John ;-)
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You might start with reading our FAQ to get some idea of how we find the Prius to work. But I have a little problem with "subjective" assessments:
- "steering wheel is quite heavy"
- "squeaking when applying the brake pedal very hard"
Having driven farm equipment and a 1929 Model A Ford, I find the Prius steering to be quite easy. Can you give some indication of the test environment and compared to what?
As for "squeaking", the rod actuated Model A Ford brakes sang a Wagner Opera . . . sometimes accompanied by a driver and passenger chorus. Again, we need some understanding of the test envrionment.
I have braked my NHW11 03 Prius hard enough to feel the Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) kick in. I don't remember any unusual noises because the incident was exciting in other ways.
Frankly, I wish the horn were tied to the ABS system, which would mask any brake noises and take one last burden off of the driver. I think hard braking should be vividly remembered by all parties involved with flashing lights and horns.
Bob Wilson