[Superbass]

...no comment. jaw drops article below

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2009/03/25/first-drive-2010-toyota-prius-puts-up-big-numbers/

When you sit in the 2010 Toyota Prius, you notice all those little things that provide the "Prius experience" – the shift lever, information screen, center-mounted instrument panel – are all present, but they're slightly different and noticeably improved. The time it takes to adapt to the revised interior is emblematic of the new Prius experience. It's the same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it gets better mileage, looks sharper and is packing more technological whiz-bangery than any vehicle this simple to drive has the right to.

We recently tested the 2010 Prius at its North American launch through the vineyard-covered fields and hills surrounding Napa, California. Through it all, the hybrid, officially rated at 50 mpg, performed well and delivered better-than-expected fuel economy. In fact, when we pushed the car's eco prowess by using the EV mode as much as possible and employing a few other tricks, we blew that EPA estimate out of the water by almost 15 mpg. And we weren't alone.

The Prius' chief engineer, Akihiko Otsuka, drove a 33-mile route in and around Napa and averaged 62.9 mpg. During the drive week, he levied a Beat-The-Chief challenge to anyone who wanted to take him on. AutoblogGreen was able to get the in-dash display to read in the mid- to low-70s for most of the route, but the last ten miles on a busy 55-mph road dropped that to 64.5 mpg. Not bad, but only good for a standing near the absolute bottom of the rankings among other journalists. Overall, the best score was 94.6 mpg, although that involved some less-than-real-world driving behaviors and conditions. The best "honest" score was 75.3 mpg. In all, about half of the journalists were able to get over 70 mpg, while the rest, save two, were able to get more than 66 mpg.

 

[chittychittybangbang]

UGH. Something more for Prius owners to harp about.

FYI, the display computers have been very optimistic in the past, as much as 10-20% higher than actual fuel economy. I drove a Prius and the display reached 60 mpg regularly and only went into the 30s occasionally. When I filled up the average was in the 30s. (I was driving enthusiastically). The only way to correctly measure fuel economy is to fill to the top, drive, and fill to the top with the SAME FUEL PUMP at the same station. Different fuel pumps click off at different points.

 

[Chillwill]

At least it looks a lot better. It looks like there's a weird panel space in the middle. I still hate the space age dashboard and slot at the top. What's wrong with having the instruments in front of you? The dash isn't the same so it's not like they can reuse the same part on LHD and RHD. They should just copy VW interiors

 

[chittychittybangbang]

Yes, that's a cubby beneath the shifter. Needless to say, it's not a cable shifter! They still kept the truck style pedal parking brake. Most people look for a center armrest handle parking brake.

Even though the dashboard is different I bet most of the parts underneath the dashboard are the same.