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Washington DC, Chicago and New York City -- 48-hours is not much time so get on it ;) (http://cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=183054)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Toyota_Prius-III.jpgPriusTeam – CleanMPG (http://cleanmpg.com) – Jan. 26, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius-III – Pre-certified at 50 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.

The Prius Team would like to extend a few extra Prius Connection invitations to our online enthusiasts. For those of you who reside in the Washington, DC, New York City or Chicago areas, we're offering the opportunity to get well-acquainted with the 2010 Prius before it’s available to the general public. (Please note: These events are intended for local residents and Toyota is not providing reimbursements for any travel incurred.)

If you’d like to be considered for one of the following local events, please click on this link to our website PriusConnection (http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zkPuDcmuJSxoFh0v_2b4O8FA_3d_3d) for submitting your request to attend.
Washington, DC: Monday, February 2, 2009; 6-9pm
New York, NY: Thursday, February 5, 2009; 6-9pm
Chicago, IL: Tuesday, February 10, 2009; 6-9pmAll invitation requests received in the first 48 hours of this post will be reviewed by Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc All invitation decisions are the sole decision of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Please understand that space is highly limited so we would appreciate submissions from those certain they plan to attend apply.

2010 Toyota Prius-III

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/616/21_10_Prius.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/616/14_10_Prius.jpg
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/616/83_10_Prius.jpghttp://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/616/94_10_Prius.jpg

This will be a great opportunity for the public to view the many sought after improvements and why Prius will again lead the way for fuel economy!

Hi Mike:

___I agree with your assessment completely!

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I really like the styling of the new Prius! Good all-around improvments to a well designed car. It should be a good seller as well.:D H

This is a great event. If you have any interest in the new Prius and can make it, you should attend.

The connection link doesn't work!

Fixed now.

Hi Tyler:

___Sorry about that... I fixed the link.

___Please sign up if you are near one of the reveals. It is worth your time if you are one of the few to go.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I signed up for NYC.

What! Nothing for Columbia, SC! (it does sound like a fun event - I'm jealous!)

if it were on a weekend, I would for sure sign up for the chicago event :(

congrats to the lucky people that get to go

I'll be at the Washington DC event.

I just sent in a request for the Chicago show. Hope I get in.

Hi Pete:

___Although I am going to have a full house with possibly 3 others heading to the Chicago Auto Show press event the following day, if you and Jerad need a place to stay the night after the Chicago reveal, you are both more than welcome. Although Jerad lives in MN now, it might be a nice day away from his own winter nightmare...

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Pete:

___Although I am going to have a full house with possibly 3 others heading to the Chicago Auto Show press event the following day, if you and Jerad need a place to stay the night after the Chicago reveal, you are both more than welcome. Although Jerad lives in MN now, it might be a nice day away from his own winter nightmare...

___Good Luck

___Wayne

That it would. :) I appreciate the offer. Any word on whether any sort of test drives are going to be allowed? :D

Hi Jerad:

___No driving from my understanding :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

If the do allow a drive this time, please take video.

Posted from my Windows Mobile Phone

Hi Pete and Jerad:

___Check your E-Mail and I passed on my recommendation for what it is worth???

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Got an email to the NYC event.

Cocktails? OoOoO. Might be worth a taking a sick day for a day trip.

I assume there is no hidden cost to attending this?

Hi Tyler:

___There is no hidden cost other than you showing up. There will surely be some freebies and there may even be an offer as well?

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Too bad I can't afford to take the day off work. Nor do I have the gas to make it to Chicago. Oh well.

Anyone else coming to the DC event?

Question for those attending:

Did you list your "company" as cleanmpg.com? ;)

I did not. I thought about it, but in the end I just left it blank.

Hi Tyler:

___You do not have too.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I'll be at the one in Chicago with Pete & Jerad :D

Hi Iluvmacs:

___Is that you Matt? I signed up through an invitation to journalists this morning. Are you, Jerad and Pete staying here or heading up to Madison afterwards?

___On a different note and to all that will be attending any of the 3-public invites, please be on your best behavior. Do not pull any pieces off the Pruis’ as there were problems with this at the Reveal in Detroit. I did not know the individuals that were doing this as they were not CleanMPG members but I apologized to the Prius Connect Team for their actions anyway.

___Nobody would expect to see this kind of activity at a Media Preview so if you see it, stop the offenders before a single trim piece has been removed. Ask to open the hood, trunk or storage compartments. They will allow you but please ask first and try and wait until after they have performed their walk-around explanations of the vehicles first.

___Toyota is taking a huge risk by inviting the public and forum members from around the country and I would like Toyota to walk away from the three events believing Prius enthusiasts of all walks of life made the event(s) a huge success.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wayne,

Good advice. At the DC event, I looked and explored the vehicle as I would if it were on a dealer's lot. I looked in the rear storage, looked under the rear storage, etc. The PCT person nearby said, "I wondered when people were going to start really digging in." The PCT members did assist in some of the more in depth exploring I witnessed - someone asked about the 12v battery, so the PCT person showed it to them.

Thanks to the extensive reviews and pictures from the Detroit showing, I never felt the need to get elbow deep. I knew what the rims without the plastic trim looked like, for example. I was pretty superficial in my viewing (although I think I did press every button possible at least twice).

Hi Michael:

___Thanks for your description of the DC event. How did you like the presentation and the event overall. I hope you felt it was worth your time and effort for all the right reasons.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

My son told me that he really wanted to go to the Chicago event, so I signed up. I just got the invite, so who else is going. Hopefully we all can meet-up.

I was at the NYC one last night and it was definitely worthwhile. They had three Prius III's in various trims plus an engine-and-components display that was very helpful. I was probably one of few people in the room not owning a Prius, so I tried to listen in to questions raised. Most of them were feature-related rather than mpg questions. Tech reps with each of the cars fielding questions, shunting the toughest ones to a senior tech rep who was extremely knowledgeable.

This may have been covered elsewhere, but in response to a question about turning off traction control, she explained that Toyota is providing 5 safety systems (anti-lock brakes, VSC, traction control, and I forget which two others) on all its vehicles. And is integrating them so that they work smoothly together. A button to turn off traction control is provided in other Toyotas so one may be added to the Prius soon.

I asked whether the computers have adaptive ability. The ECM for the ICE does and takes a few cycles to adapt. The controls for the electric motors are not adaptive. There is no provision for multiple "driver personalities" yet.

Also asked about the solar panel roof. Turns out it only runs a ventilation fan, it does not store energy into either battery. Evidently there were problems with the 12v battery running down, so if the power generated isn't enough to be worth feeding into the hybrid battery maybe it would be helpful to send it to the 12v and put a thermostatic switch on the fan. Also, about 1/3 of the possible roof area is taken up by a sunroof. I forgot to ask whether the cover panel for the sunroof has functional solar cells on it. Personally, I'd rather forego the weight and cost of the sunroof and just have solar on as much of the upper surface as possible.

Questions about whether the radar in the following-distance regulated cruise control would interfere with police radar (answer: no). Also, the info on the center MFD has been moved up to the "dashboard" display under the bottom of the windscreen, and the MFD is used for the NAV system. I may have misunderstood, but I think the base model lacks the MFD screen, so one cannot add a backup/blind spot camera to the base model. Like the Insight I, the Prius II and III have a blind spot in the right rear quarter, which is worse because it isn't apparent to other vehicles, so a camera is useful.

It might have been helpful to have an initial presentation. I got there a bit late so maybe there was one and I missed it? A very relaxed, casual informational event, no sales pressure at all.

Incidentally, they had projection screens scattered about and one of them was flashing up quotes from the Internet, along with screen names. Brick, I saw a quote from you fly by at one point.

Hi Michael:

___Thanks for your description of the DC event. How did you like the presentation and the event overall. I hope you felt it was worth your time and effort for all the right reasons.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

It was a very casual, yet upscale, feel. It was very posh lounge-like. I enjoyed everything about it, save for a few minor things (very minor). There was plenty of seating, food, and drink. There were answers to questions, visions of beauty and functionality, and a complete transformation of the space into the perfect backdrop for the event. The PCT people were as gracious to have me there as I was to be there. I got the chance to speak with some pretty important people. I enthusiastically thanked them for the opportunity to be there. It was well worth my time to drive up there. While I'm not currently in the market for a new vehicle, I will definitely be talking up the 2010's to anyone who is.

I feel very honored to be invited to the event and privileged to be able to go. I would be thrilled if I were given the chance to attend any future events of this nature.

Does anyone want to meet up before the Chicago event, or need a hotel room downtown that night?

I've got a room at Hyatt about 6 blocks from the event and I have space for at least one or two people in the room. (Men only, please.) I'll be up and out early the next day to cover the Chicago Auto Show.

Through Priceline I got a room for $57 plus fees (total was just under ~$70) So if you'd rather get your own room, I can give you tips on how to get a good rate. PM me.

My son told me that he really wanted to go to the Chicago event, so I signed up. I just got the invite, so who else is going. Hopefully we all can meet-up.
Jud, I'm headed up with my wife in the afternoon. I may be running a tad late though as my wife won't get off work until 3:30pm(EST). With me planning on being in full SHM mode, I'll be cutting it close.:p I hear "The Loop" is a bit busy at the time I'll be arriving.;)

Where is the location of the Chicago event?

Where is the location of the Chicago event?
River East Art Center
435 East Illinois Street
Chicago, IL 60611
6-9pm(CST)

Are you, Jerad and Pete staying here or heading up to Madison afterwards?

I think we're planning to head to Madison afterward... we are carpooling and I'm not driving the Madison-->Chicago-->Madison leg (since I have the Minneapolis-->Madison and back leg to deal with). I'm not sure that's set in stone, although I think Pete & Matt said they have to work Wednesday.

Hi Jerad:

___Thanks for the heads up and we will see you there.

___Mike, I left you and Chuck an E-Mail. As soon as Chuck lands, head on over because they are now expecting you. I told them you will have an expected arrival of 07:30 to 07:45 PM.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

So are we planning to get together before or afterwards?

Hi Jud:

___Chuck, Mike, Ricardo and I have to be up at 05:00 AM the next morning to get to the Chicago Auto Show Press Event so we will have to get back home as soon as the Prius Connect ends.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Sounds like I better hit the bed before 4:30 a.m. in the morning!

Sounds like I better hit the bed before 4:30 a.m. in the morning!
From past personal experience, don't count on that. Right Wayne? ;):D

Hi Larry:

___I got to bed around 08:30 AM this morning. What sleep :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Larry:

___I got to bed around 08:30 AM this morning. What sleep :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne
Sounds pretty close to the way I remembered it.:D

I'm shooting for a 70+ on the FCD when I pull in tomorrow evening. I have to remember to charge the batteries and bring my camera along.

I mentioned to my DW that it was a shame that I was going to be driving a Honda to a Prius event and she volunteered to let me take the Pri. Supposed to have 15 to 20 mph south winds tomorrow and I will be driving due north. It may be in rain though since there is a 90% chance.

Linda and I plan on being in town early afternoon (1:30 or so) if anyone wants to meet up downtown for ht afternoon.
We have two rooms at the hotel but we'll probably head downtown to explore. I've got a museum pass.
If anyone wants to connect PM me.

I walked by the Arts Center before coming home and the last minute touches are being put in place. The cars are inside and covered. There will be two levels, the entry level where the trivia game and some lounging will be and the lower level where the cars, cut-a-way and food will be. Looks to be a bit cramped where the cars are for the number of people coming.

If anyone cannot negotiate stairs the elevator entrance is just east of the main entrance at 445 E Illinois, sign says loft sale info. Neither Toyota nor the Art Center people knows the valet parking cost, comparable valet in the area is $10-$15. Parking around the building is around $22-$28 for the time you'll be there. There is a parking lot at Illinois and Rush-just west of Michigan Ave.-which is $11 for the evening and within walking distance. Then take the public transit bus which stops at the base of the Michigan Ave. overhead road just to the east. Bus costs $2 one way. Or you can perhaps catch the Navy Pier free trolley, though they don't like to drop people off at other than Navy Pier. Also for the hearty hikers there is a self-park garage at the south-east corner of Kinzie and LaSalle for $8, then either a 25 minute walk or a shorter walk to Illinois for the public transit bus.

If you are taking the CTA red line get off at the Grand stop. Once you get street side go south, just follow the mostly closed State street to Illinois and there is a shelter to wait for the bus right by the Star of Siam Thai restaurant (good place). For the Blue line get off at Grand and board the bus east. Remember the fare is $2.25 for the rail plus $.25 for a transfer to the bus. If your going back by rail purchase your transit card with at least $5 on it.

Do come over and say hi to me, just kick my legs as they're sticking out from under the cars. Hopefully I'll be able to pass out some ChicagoPriusGroup cards to unknowing locals and dealers who want OUR help.

Wayne

Thanks for the details Wayne! See you there.

Hi Wayne:

___I am not sure but it sounds as if Valet parking will be provided per the invites. Press Events usually include these out of necessity. Also, unless there is some dire need to get underneath the Prius-III's again, please stay away from the undercarriage this time around please.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hi Wayne:

___I am not sure but it sounds as if Valet parking will be provided per the invites. Press Events usually include these out of necessity. Also, unless there is some dire need to get underneath the Prius-III's again, please stay away from the undercarriage this time around please.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Free valet parking was provided at the NYC event, starting at least 1 hour before the event started. My Subaru was out front and waiting when I left. Unfortunately it was a bitter cold night (10F) and the valet guys had started and warmed up the cars, lost several mpg on the SG, grrrr. But they thought they were doing a nice thing, so can't complain TOO much.

As for rooting around underneath the cars, there is a teardown display showing many of the main components which may answer many questions without needing to explore the undercarriage. And the tech staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.

Free valet parking was provided at the NYC event, starting at least 1 hour before the event started. My Subaru was out front and waiting when I left. Unfortunately it was a bitter cold night (10F) and the valet guys had started and warmed up the cars, lost several mpg on the SG, grrrr. But they thought they were doing a nice thing, so can't complain TOO much.

As for rooting around underneath the cars, there is a teardown display showing many of the main components which may answer many questions without needing to explore the undercarriage. And the tech staff are very knowledgeable and helpful.
Is there an option to park yourself for that kind of thing to be avoided? Is self parking allowed?

Hi John:

___Thought so about the parking...

___The Cutaways may or may not be there due to the Chicago Auto Show starting the next morning but if you would have seen what one guy was doing in Detroit during the presentation :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Mitchell,
If the mockup is there, what about the EBH?

... but if you would have seen what one guy was doing in Detroit during the presentation :( ...

Any chance that he was part of the PriusChat crowd?

The cut-a-way is there in the back of the lower level by the windows overlooking the boat dock in back of the building. Standard parking is handling the valet duties, no one knows if it is a cost or no-cost item, only way to find out is to pull up and find out. My previous post did detail parking options.

Wayne

Hi Dean:

___Yes, he was one of the PC crowd :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Is there an option to park yourself for that kind of thing to be avoided? Is self parking allowed?

I didn't ask. There was a coned-off lane in front of the building and they just whisked the cars away somewhere.

In NYC the notice said free valet parking and it was completely free.

There were parking garages in the vicinity, but in NYC that costs $$$$$$$$$$$.

The Prius Team just confirmed valet parking is taken care of by Toyota.

Wayne

Mitchell,
If the mockup is there, what about the EBH?

Warm and cozy.

Wayne