Quote:
Originally Posted by roflwaffle
A gas hybrid can easily double the mileage of a similarly sized car, ala a stock Prius versus a Camry.
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Not fair. Turning a Camry into a Prius involves an aerodynamic rebody, just like the 75mpg (at steady state cruise) VW Bug hydraulic hybrid. The only apples-to-apples comparos on the market are Camry vs Camry Hybrid, and Civic vs Civic Hybrid. These hybrids have a 31% and 45% improvement in EPA Combined over their conventional counterparts.
What kind of fuel economy would that aero-Bug have delivered if they had used the same Tecumseh engine powering the rear wheels through just a tranny, instead of through two hydraulic motors and a hydraulic accumulator as they did?