[cfg83]

NeilBlanchard -

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

That is one way to set up a serial hybrid, but Chevy has not done it that way -- they vary the ICE RPM's to adjust to the required power, and they do not charge the battery with the ICE. The reason they do this (they say) is to force you to recharge it when you get to a plug.

I'm not sure this is the right choice, overall -- but I'm sure it depends on how much you drive it each day. I think that since they had to do parts bin engineering, and used the 1.4L to begin with, they may have made the best choice for this design...

You made me look. The Toyota Prius engine, while optimized for the Atkinson cycle, is also shared with other cars :

Toyota ZR engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Toyota 2ZR-FXE is a 1.8 L (1798 cc) Atkinson cycle variant of the 2ZR-FE. It has the same bore and stroke, but the compression ratio is increased to 13.0:1,

Applications:
2010 Toyota Prius (ZVW30)
2010 Toyota Auris hybrid

Toyota ZR engine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Toyota 2ZR-FE is a DOHC, 16-valve, 1.8 L (1797 cc) engine also equipped with Dual VVT-i. Compression Ratio : 10.0:1

Applications:
Toyota Corolla (ZRE142/152)
Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe (ZRE142) (North America only)
Scion xD (ZSP110)

CarloSW2