Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
This is correct that the hybrid system itself is only a piece - although my new Miata (MX-5) does in fact run the Atkinson cycle without a hybrid system. It does this with complex, sensitive and highly responsive engine control.
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That may be true, but also to what degree? The Freevalve engine is supposed to run nearly all the time in an atkinson cycle, but at WOT bascially goes into an Otto cycle. However, the whole time it has the same compression ratio. I suppose the same can be done with variable valve timing on any engine. But again, the CR doesn't change. On a Prius the CR is extremely high, but is compensated by the engine always running in an Atkinson cycle.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky
A modern Jetta will achieve 40-45mpg at 75mph. I'm personally ignorant about these old air cooled engines, but I don't imagine that stock Beetle was getting 40mpg at anything above 40mph - a speed at which a stock Insight will happily cruise at 120mpg, apples to apples.
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The 1979 Super Beetle had a highway fuel mileage of 30mpg. The 2003 Digifant Beetle (Mexico) was rated at 32.5mpg (although I think that's combined, I remember highway being like 38mpg). Some have claimed to get up to 40mpg through mods and hypermiling. I got 30mpg on the highway in my 1972 Super Beetle. Other body designs using the same engine got better fuel mileage (e.g. Karmann Ghia).