ABG: Top Gear -- BMW M3 vs. Toyota Prius fuel economy race track competition (video)
 

From AutoBlogGreen: the popular UK auto program Top Gear came to an interesting conclusion. Thrashing a Prius around a track vs. idling a BMW M3 behind it, demonstrated the obvious.

YouTube - Top Gear - Toyota Prius Vs BMW M3

Possibly the most redeeming statement by Clarkson, in the cause of saving fuel: "It doesn't matter what you drive, it's how you drive it".

RH77

no fair, the M3 was drafting the whole time:p

haha

Damnit, I wanted to post that.

also notice that the m3 can take an easier/ more efficient route due to stickier tires/ suspension.

another note of interest, the bmw 535d had about the same track mpg as the prius. hey; just a data point.

also note that the german supercars (audi and mercialago share lots of parts and the vw parent company) were the most fuel efficient. i wish they had the diesel audi in the bunch.

good thing nobody from ecomodder was driving in that race; we'd still be watching :-)

Yeah, I just sit here all day and think about how I can beat Ben to the punch... :p

...and bump the post. :D

also it didn't take into any consideration stopping, at lights and deceleration the prius are charging batteries.

It wasn't at all fair, but it wasn't meant to be. The show's lead host is known for bashing anything "green", especially hybrids -- and certainly the Prius.

After the first lap, the batteries were likely in need of charge -- so for the rest of the race, it had to work double-duty to feed the batteries and propel the car.

RH77

plus the little prius engine had to work harder than the V-8 to achieve its top speed.

why would they even try to bash it's epa fuel economy and say it is worse than a sports car.

If you watch their review of the Prius they don't see the point in hybrids since they have all these great turbodiesels that get equal mileage and blow the Prius' doors off. Of course, if the "race" had been from one side of London to the other, who would have won that?;)