Wonderhut

Hi all. I just had this crazy idea of finding a current generation Toyota Prius that's being parted out, and marry the tranny, electric motor, and electronics to the xB's 1.5L engine. I'd add my own, more powerful batteries!

So, what do y'all think? Just a fantasy?

VoLktc

why

TJandBOXCARWILLIE

why not? I wonder if it would work.

B2FiNiTY

Why don't you do it and let us know.

dinkjs

Or I have an idea.....buy a Prius put some xB thingies on it....move somewere were they dont have xB's...and there you go...everyone would think the xB is a hybrid

squarepants

got a better idea put a corrolla s engine in the xb with a bigger gas tank so we can get better gas mileage and more horse power..............

windowtint

uhhhhhh.... ummm... ok... enlighten me - this one's got me stumped. How is putting in a bigger motor and a bigger gas tank going to give us better MPG??

Wonderhut

It's just one of those wacky automotive dreams of mine.

I reason you could use the spare tire area to store the batteries that drive the electric motor and such, so you wouldn't sacrifice a huge amount of space behind the rear passenger seats. The Prius weighs 2890 pounds, and if you were able to get all of that hybrid gear installed and keep it under 2890 pounds.. well, it'd be fantastic to see what kind of low end torque and acceleration the xB gets!

I just think it'd be an incredible sleeper in city driving and in general just for low end power in a compact wagon without sacrificing fuel economy and emissons.

Plus, as it has been said before, it is usually more entertaining to drive a slower car to it's limits, rather than not being able to use a fast car to it's full potential!

joe_rogan

we need bigger engines

Fujiz_xb

NO .. i love that fact that my xb engine can fit in a lunch tray.

markd

Fujiz you are crazy.



Sounds interesting. probally wouldnt buy one......but still interesting

lavabox

I had the same idea a few weeks ago. I actually called a toyota dealership to find out what the difference is between the 1nzfe and the 1nzxfe. Had no luck gettting the answer. The junkyard parts are pretty pricey I have found. But imagine the mileage, and yes the torque when the real motor and the electric motor are pulling at the same time.

I also had the thought of trying to get the 4x4 option from the BB which I believe is done thoough electric motors on the rear wheels, but not able to confirm that...

Rion

Nah. Nothing wrong with the xB that just +10 more hp and +10 more torque wouldn't fix.

Less is more man, less is more.

dougalast

how about an ant-theft pull out kit for the factory engine? Now thats an idea!

Wonderhut

Thank you for your contribution to this discussion.

Heh.

florencescion

Won't work. You would need the while motor and tranny assembly (the Prius uses a CVT). Then you need all 4 wheels because they are used in recharging the batteries. You would need all of the wiring and computers and the dash board.

Can it be done? Yeah. But I hope you have deep pockets because it could cost you upwards of $50,000 to do the conversion.

TheScionicMan

You want to add HOW MANY POUNDS of batteries to the xB to make it FASTER???

It would probably be cheaper to have an xB styled body fabricated onto the Prius... Of course that would kill the drag coefficient...

Wonderhut

Hmm, oh well! Like I said, just a crazy dream- and I appreciate the knowledgable/useful input from you all

Rion

It's a shame they don't offer an xB with the 1.4 D4D (direct injection turbodiesel) they have in some Yaris variants.

Turbodiesel delivers all the fuel mileage of the hybrids (except you actually GET the promised numbers!) and does it in a simpler, less expensive, more reliable package. Sure, you've got a little more NOx but diesels are 10 times cleaner now than what most Americans remember from the 70's.

I'd love a hard working diesel xB that gets 50+ mpg and has assloads of low end torque.

RacerxB

How about installing a solar panel on the roof and allow it to store energy to use for going up hills or passing on the highway. lol