Any news or rumors about the TCH '08? Changes in the model, new options, pricing, date of availability, ....

Thanks.

Rumor: TCH has been dropped and a larger Prius will replace it.
But seriously, my sales manager thinks October/Nov '07 maybe but what does he know?

My guess is that you'll see very few changes. The '07 TCH is a new model, so Toyota still has a lot of R&D costs to recover. There maybe a new color or a new option, but basically unchanged. Again, just a guess . . .

<speculation>
New standard items:
Backup Camera and radar w/side mirror auto tilt down in reverse on NAV equipped '08 TCH's.
Fog Lamps.
Auto-up on Driver's Window.
Auto-park.
</speculation>

The auto park & tilt mirror are options in Japan now so that could happen.
Has Toyota ever had an auto up window? I've never seen one.

Standard on the XLE but n/a even as on option on the TCH. Similar situation with Fog Lamps.

I gree that already developed items are easily added for following years, but marketing decides on what we get. They look at price point and try to figure out how many cars they can sell at different price levels. Anything added to the base vehicle would add to the base price. Adding cameras to the nav would add to it's price. Right now Toyota decided to not offer those things on the current car. All these items (except the auto park) are inexpensive but add up. I also think they will reserve some items for certain cars (fog lamps and 17" wheels for the Sport and auto-up windows and woodgrain for the XLE). I'm sure that the TCH will get some new features for 2008, but I would take advantage of the remaining $650 tax credit rather than wait for a minor item or two. Just my thoughts.

Chumley

It makes me wonder what it would take to mod my TCH to have auto up window.
Would it be as simple as plugging in a wire, replacing a switch, or do you think they actually have a seperate motor

The XLE has an additional sensing mechanism to prevent you from having the auto closing window strangle your pet poodle who's head happens to be hung outside. Same applies to little children but they should be securely tucked away in their child restraint seats.

Yes, I would have hoped that that module be installed in ALL cars as a saftey precaution.

It makes a person wonder about the discussions that take place to make these decisions .