2023 Toyota Prius - WOW!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Ain't it often said a hybrid "compensates" the lack of "eco" driving skills?

Right, the car is already accomplishing pulse/glide by variable gearing that maintains high engine load. It's EOCing. It's eliminating idling. It's recapturing kinetic energy by recharging batteries instead of forcing someone to coast.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Right, the car is already accomplishing pulse/glide by variable gearing that maintains high engine load. It's EOCing. It's eliminating idling. It's recapturing kinetic energy by recharging batteries instead of forcing someone to coast.

Idk about that. In warmer weather, when I hyper mile my Ioniq around Beaverton and Hillsboro, I average 82-84 mpg city driving. Don’t know any nonhybrids that get that in city driving with stops

Not to mention if i get 94 miles per gallon if I have CC on going 50 mph. And I get 50 mpg at 80mph. And about 45-46 mpg going 90 miles per hour in open desert interstates. Don’t know many other cars with those numbers besides a few diesels that people have said it’s possible, but personally never seen them post proof.

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Phase

Idk about that... i get 94 miles per gallon if I have CC on going 50 mph. And I get 50 mpg at 80mph. And about 45-46 mpg going 90 miles per hour in open desert interstates. Don’t know many other cars with those numbers besides a few diesels that people have said it’s possible, but personally never seen them post proof.

What about a hybrid uniquely makes it capable of those numbers, considering the hybrid technology is not utilized in those conditions?

The only way in which a hybrid makes highway cruising more efficient is by downsizing the engine, thereby working it harder at steady cruise speed.

The gen I Insight could get those numbers with a disabled hybrid system... it takes an eternity to accelerate since the electric motor isn't helping. Once up to speed, the Insight gets the same MPG regardless if the hybrid system works or not.

[Cd]

Am I the only person that thinks the design looks like a ( half ) teardrop - but in reverse ?
At first glance, it looks as if the backlight angle is wonky when compared to the front.
It's an interesting optical illusion.
In reality, the angles are identical.

[Isaac Zachary]

From what I understand, nearly all cars are more areodynamic when going backwards.

[freebeard]

I wonder what that does to front/rear lift. And all those tweaks like air curtains.

[Phase]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

What about a hybrid uniquely makes it capable of those numbers, considering the hybrid technology is not utilized in those conditions?

The only way in which a hybrid makes highway cruising more efficient is by downsizing the engine, thereby working it harder at steady cruise speed.

The gen I Insight could get those numbers with a disabled hybrid system... it takes an eternity to accelerate since the electric motor isn't helping. Once up to speed, the Insight gets the same MPG regardless if the hybrid system works or not.

idk about other brands, but hyundais hybrid system works by using the engine only when cruising and also charges the battery at the same time, then once the battery is charged enough, it shuts the engine off and travels on EV mode only until the battery gets low, then cycles back and forth again. my exs toyota hybrid kind of just used everything at once and the hybrid system assisted, versus cycling between engine only and battery only like hyundais do. thats why its almost impossible to use scan gauge or instant mpg read outs in my car for testing, unless i do a trip thats longer than 40 miles plus

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The only way in which a hybrid makes highway cruising more efficient is by downsizing the engine, thereby working it harder at steady cruise speed.

Well, sort of... It's often mentioned the planetary gearset of a Prius for instance makes it easier for the electric motors to provide an effect similar to a CVT, but in the end the electric drive may also act sorta like a booster, so even at a more constant load the ICE won't be so likely to seem so underpowered even at a high speed.

[Hersbird]

As pointed out the battery is charging under light load putting the motor under a higher load, low rpm situation which puts it in the sweet spot of BSFC. Then every few minutes the ICE shuts down and the car will go a mile or 2 pure EV. Rinse and repeat. The more efficient Atkinson cycle helps too. This is also why pulse and glide works too. Be more efficient then be infinite efficient. The battery probably isn't quite as effective but it also let's you maintain a steady speed and not annoying everyone around you. Of course you can pulse and glide a hybrid and get over 100 mpg as many Prius owners have shown.

On a side note, the Hyundai hybrids, at least my Sonata, doesn't use a ecvt. Mine has a traditional 6 speed automatic. On one hand I appreciate that. Some companies make a crap cvt. On the other hand the ecvt in Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota is really strong and would probably improve economy more.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

Some companies make a crap cvt.

I'm only familiar with Aisin and Jatco CVTs. At least the Aisin is good.

On the other hand the ecvt in Chrysler, Ford, and Toyota is really strong and would probably improve economy more.

The so-called eCVT is not even a proper CVT at all. And it doesn't have a belt.