The Toyota Estima Hybrid Minivan (sigh)

[Taverner]

Why can't we have this here in the US???

45-freakin-miles-per-gallon...for a MINIVAN!!

http://toyota.jp/estimahybrid/

[tigereye]

1. nice!

I bet it won't be long, though, given the price of gas isn't going to be lowered any time soon.

[Midlodemocrat]

2. I had heard that there were plans to bring it to the US.

Frankly, I am delaying buying a new van until I hear either way. If I could have that, I would be in Heaven.

[Taverner]

4. It is nice isn't it?

On the HiHy and PriusChat forums, the buzz seems to indicate a 2009 release...so I'm hoping for that.

I had high hopes for the Highlander Hybrid, but the Hybrid version only gets 5-7 more MPG than it's Gas Guzzling counterpart. Still, 28-32 isn't bad for a mid-sized SUV.

[Momgonepostal]

6. True, I'm not sure an extra 5-7mpg is worth an extra

several thousand dollars, to me.

The Estima sounds intriguing, though. I jsut don't know why MORE auto manufacturers aren't coming out with more fuel efficient vehicles.

[democracyindanger]

13. More than 5-7 mpg

Just because I'm bored:

Toyota's current minivan, the Sienna, gets 26 mpg. Figure 10,000 miles/year, and gas at $3 per.

Sienna:
10000 mi/26 = 384 gal/year
$3.00/gal = $1152 yearly fuel cost

Estima:
45 mpg = 222 gal/year
$666 yearly fuel cost

$486 saved per year

I think that's a pretty safe estimate. But other things to consider are the slower depreciation rate of the Estima--as fuel costs rise, it's value will hold better than gas-guzzling minivans (and gas guzzlers will likely see their depreciation accelerate), and probable hybrid tax breaks once we get a Dem president in place.

[Taverner]

14. The jump from Sienna to Sienna Hybrid will be good, but we were discussing

The Highlander to Highlander Hybrid...which is only a measly 5-7 mpg jump

[Momgonepostal]

3. Wow, wouldn't that be nice!

We have a Dodge Caravan and the MPG is bad. 45 MPG sounds like a dream!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. That does look awesome, my dear Taverner!

However, and please forgive me for raining on your parade.....

The mileage quoted is probably not going to happen....

The testing done to get that is not realistic.....

However, given that caveat, it will still be better than the minivans get now...

I say, go for it! I waited for Toyota's hybrid Camry, and I love it!

My mileage has not, so far, lived up to expectations....:cry:

But, I have only put in one tankful....so this might change....

The minivan does look great!



:hi:

[Taverner]

8. With my Prius, it never met the 60/40 that the sticker promised

But it still averages 48.5 MPG - not bad for a mid-sized car!

I'm sure it won't get the 40 that it promises, but it still looks nice.

[ContraBass Black]

7. That doesn't look like a production model.

Sales of the regular fuel Estima/Previa dropped off. That's why it was replaced by the more American-style Sienna.

[Taverner]

9. In Japan, they still sell Estimas and Alphards

I'm hoping for either tho...

ON EDIT: This pic actually is the 2007 Toyota Estima Hybrid, sold in Japan only.

They also have a bigger Hybrid, the Alphard. It's considered a Luxury SUV - basically the Sienna with remote control curtains and leather.
-----------------------------------------------------

The second-generation Estima hybrid, now on sale in Japan.

June 19, 2006: The Hybrid Minivan Tease

Toyota last week began selling its completely redesigned Estima Hybrid minivan.

Toyota introduced the first-generation Estima Hybrid in 2001 as the world’s first hybrid minivan. This Estima hybrid was based on the THS-C (Toyota Hybrid System-CVT). THS-C incorporated a 2.4-liter gasoline engine, CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and electric motor for front-wheel power; E-Four, which regulates a rear-mounted, rear-wheel-propelling electric motor and coordinates
electric power distribution to all four wheels; and ECB (Electronically Controlled Brake system), for wheel-by-wheel brake control and optimum management of the regenerative brake system.

This first-generation hybrid minivan had a rated fuel consumption of 18 kilometers/liter in the Japanese test cycle—about 42 mpg US. (The Japanese and US test cycles are not the same, with the Japanese cycle producing a better fuel economy figure than would the US EPA tests.)

The new Estima Hybrid features an application of Toyota’s THS II system, optimized for use on a minivan, as well as an exhaust heat recovery system that uses thermal energy from the exhaust to heat engine coolant. This reduces engine warm-up time, which enables the engine to shut off earlier when idling, contributing to further improvements in actual fuel economy.


<snip>

http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/hyview/minivan-tease

[ContraBass Black]

11. After being a fan for as long as I can remember,

My brother searched the internet, found a Previa, and went from Georgia to Texas to buy it a couple of months ago.

[zonkers]

10. Awesome. Ever visit leftlanenews.com? Great for latest new on cars...

http://www.leftlanenews.com/

[midnight armadillo]

12. There'll be a diesel Honda ODyssey in '09

Honda has announced more--or-less firmly that they will bring a diesel powered ODyssey to the US in '09. The rational: they feel gas/electric hybrids are more cost effective and better performing for smaller cars, and that turbo diesels are better for larger cars since you don't need the expense of a huge battery pack.

Sounds good to me. Citroen sells a 7-passenger minivan (prob. Mazda MPV sized) in Europe that gets 38 mpg (that's imperial gallons) combined city/highway with a 4-cyl turbo diesel engine.

I have told my wife that in 2010 we are trading our '03 Odyssey on a diesel version!

[Iniquitous Bunny]

15. I want one!

My Grand Voyager gets 20 MPG (and likely another 2-3 years left, but I'm sure getting sick of it) and with 5 kiddos between mine and my step, we NEED a minivan! Toyota makes an 8 passenger Sienna. Why not a hybrid? I'd happily pay for it, so why can't I get one?

[Taverner]

16. I know - me too!

We are outgrowing our CRV, and I love my Prius...so why can't we get one like they do in Japan. I researched importing one from Japan, and it's the DMV that will stop you - you can't register a right-hand drive car in the US unless it's a classic auto.

The Highlander Hybrid seats 8, but it only gets 28-32. Not bad for a full size SUV, but not the 45+ that a Hybrid Sienna would get.

[gmoney]

17. warning: slowest loading flash EVER

Took like 5 minutes to load the main page, which I thought was OK because it was downloading the whole site, but as soon as I clicked a link, it started what looked like ANOTHER 5 minute download, so I bailed.

[Taverner]

19. Well it is coming from JAPAN!

[bertha katzenengel]

18. Why not? Because it's freakish.

Any second those spitting sparks from Dr. Brown's DeLorean are going to start coming out of that shiny apparatus on the nose cone . . .

[Taverner]

20. I dunno...kinda makes me want to buy a toaster

:silly: