Date: Sun, 22 Jan 2012 16:56:26 -0600
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Was Ford Galaxy Friday, now Technology Comparison
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---- Mike Riley <mkriley@FUSE.NET> wrote:
> I agree with tom, the reason there is no comparable gas model to the prius is that it would show that the improvements are mostly in the aerodynamics, "SPECIAL TIRES" and weight control,
> but where is the profit in that? There was a conscious decision by toyota to not offer a gas only version as people would opt for that when seeing the cost of the hybrid vs the gas.
> The prius without the gadgetry is jus a geo metro clone.
A geo metro clone? Have you physically compared the two vehicles? the metro had a 3 cylinder engine. It weighed far less than the prius -- less than a corolla. It came with a five speed manual transmission. It had almost no interior space, while the prius is classified (barely) as a mid-size. the geo metro engine was generally good for about 100K miles, while Toyota engines are known for longevity. The prius is quite a nice vehicle. The metro ...... .
Good grief!
The prius does not come with special tires. Mine came with Goodyear Integrity, which is not a low rolling resistance tire. I have since put on low rolling resistence tires (Continental Eco Plus), but that has not made much difference in the mpg.
I will say that some (but not all) of the mpg improvement in the prius over its nearest comparables is due to driver behavior. There is nothing like an on board readout that is constantly telling one what the current mpg are to get the driver to learn how to keep that down. And some drivers do not get as good a mileage with the prius as others do. The same is true with other vehicles. But to say that there is nothing to the hybrid technology that gets the mpg up is nonsense. When the gasoline engine is not running, it is not burning gasoline. when it is running, it is getting similar mpg to other vehicles in its weight and power class. Toyota will tell you that, as will independent analysts.
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1071391_life-after-death-what-happens-when-your-prius-battery-dies
Those drivers who are disappointed in the prius's mpg generally drive short drives that do not warm up the inverter, or they drive with their foot in the accelerator, which prevents the vehicle from realizing its potential.
mcneely
