Possible Upgrades for the Prius ====================== have a plug-in option increase electric motor power 2x (use lighter rare earth permanent magnets) increase traction battery power capacity 2x (use li-ion polymer ) increase ICE power output efficiency by 33% (VTEC + variable cylinder) increase approximate range of Prius from 600miles to 900miles by increasing the overall fuel efficiency from 50mpg to 90mpg (decreasing the fuel tank size and weight at the same time). An ICE RPM gauge and Electric Motor RPM gauge showing how hard each is working at a particular speed/acceleration rate.
Lowering the center of mass/gravity of the Prius by 1 inch OR widening the overall wheel axle by 2 inches while keeping the the current ground clearance and frontal surface the same --- to improve the Prius' road handling behavior.
Make the the bumpers, side door panels and side fenders out of high impact dent resistance carbon fiber. Bolt the carbon fiber onto a unibody honeycombed steel frame to make increase rigidity, lower weight, and increase overally tensile strength.
Make a MPV/Station wagon version of the Prius with SUV like cargo space and the max passenger/cargo weight capacity
When driving in reverse - there should be an option for a backup beeper to be heard outside the car (to alert the outside)
switch from optical disk to solid state harddrive based navigation the navigation unit should allow for user expandable customizable POI and customizable voice via flash drive and UsB 2/3 port.
integrate the backup camera screen in the rear view mirror
put ev/eco/power buttons on top of the steering column Make steering column horn button wider and bigger at the bottom. Tuck the transmission stick/control closer to the steering wheel back on the dashboard about 4 o'clock of the steering column
increase the UV and tinting for the side and rear windows(25% -> 40% tint) this will reduce the A/C workload and increase fuel efficiency Used electric Peltier heatpump to assist/replace air conditioner when operating during all-electric mode/solar panel mode (see Aptera 2e). Make adding a roof solar panel an easy upgrade for all prius (ie. make it an dealer/aftermarket installed option) The roof solar panel should help keep the traction battery fully charged while the Prius is not driven for a long time (e.g. 3 months). The rear seats should have their own air vents (to heat/cool the rear).
The dashboard/driver area should have a explicitly designated safe areas (which will not obstruct airbag deployment) to place aftermarket GPS units/transmitter/radar detectors. Put a lip or bottom tray of the the top glove compartment so things won't slide out The cabin air filter should be easily replace by sliding in/out once the bottom glove compartment is open.
An LED should light up the inside the top glove compartment when open. An LED should light up the inside the bottom glove compartment when open. An LED should light up the inside the center console when open An LED should light up the power window controls on the driver's door panel Raise the mirror controls up 3 inches, light it up with an LED
Two fused 110VAC outlet one for the front and one for the rear Add more strap/tie-down D-latch/rings in the rear cargo bay.