The 2014 Lexus IS is expected to make its official debut at the 2013 NAIAS in Detroit
#602
Lexus Champion
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system works...
When accelerating from stop and at low speeds, only the electric motor drives the car. When more power is needed (than can be provided by the electric motor) during faster acceleration and at higher speeds, the petrol engine starts up automatically and adds power to drive the car, in addition to the electric motor. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the automatically turning on (and off) of the petrol engine while the car is running should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
The petrol engine also drives an electrical generator to recharge the hybrid battery. The hybrid battery sits in the trunk, immediately behind the rear seat. There is still a 12-volt battery to start the car. Even if the hybrid battery is completely discharged, the car will still start the petrol engine from the 12-volt battery. While the large hybrid battery in the trunk of normal hybrid cars cannot be boosted or recharged from an outside source, the 12-volt battery can be boosted if it dies.
There is a 2-phase braking system: regenerative braking and normal friction braking. For the first little bit of brake pedal travel, it engages regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor (that would normally drive the car) as a generator, to re-charge the hybrid battery. The charging of the hybrid battery by the motor/generator slows the car. For greater braking power (the deeper the brake pedal is pushed), the normal friction (i.e. disk brakes) are engaged. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the switchover from regenerative braking to friction braking should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
There are 2 electric motor/generators. One motor drives the car; the speed of the motor controls the speed of the car. Electrical power from the hybrid battery powers this electric motor. This motor also works as a generator during regenerative braking: the spinning car wheels spins the motor/generator, generating electricity which is fed back to the hybrid battery. The other motor/generator is driven by the petrol engine. The engine spins it to generate electricity as needed to recharge the hybrid battery. This second motor also acts as the starter to start the petrol engine.
Last edited by Sulu; 11-21-12 at 09:57 AM.
#609
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plug-ins are here (and there)
No, you do not charge the batteries. In Toyota / Lexus hybrid cars, the petrol engine serves 2 purposes: power the car (when more power is needed than can be supplied by the electric motor alone), AND recharge the battery. You cannot even charge the hybrid battery from an outside source.
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system works...
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system works...
plug-ins are here (and there =).
br,
Towi
#610
No, you do not charge the batteries. In Toyota / Lexus hybrid cars, the petrol engine serves 2 purposes: power the car (when more power is needed than can be supplied by the electric motor alone), AND recharge the battery. You cannot even charge the hybrid battery from an outside source.
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system works...
When accelerating from stop and at low speeds, only the electric motor drives the car. When more power is needed (than can be provided by the electric motor) during faster acceleration and at higher speeds, the petrol engine starts up automatically and adds power to drive the car, in addition to the electric motor. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the automatically turning on (and off) of the petrol engine while the car is running should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
The petrol engine also drives an electrical generator to recharge the hybrid battery. The hybrid battery sits in the trunk, immediately behind the rear seat. There is still a 12-volt battery to start the car. Even if the hybrid battery is completely discharged, the car will still start the petrol engine from the 12-volt battery. While the large hybrid battery in the trunk of normal hybrid cars cannot be boosted or recharged from an outside source, the 12-volt battery can be boosted if it dies.
There is a 2-phase braking system: regenerative braking and normal friction braking. For the first little bit of brake pedal travel, it engages regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor (that would normally drive the car) as a generator, to re-charge the hybrid battery. The charging of the hybrid battery by the motor/generator slows the car. For greater braking power (the deeper the brake pedal is pushed), the normal friction (i.e. disk brakes) are engaged. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the switchover from regenerative braking to friction braking should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
There are 2 electric motor/generators. One motor drives the car; the speed of the motor controls the speed of the car. Electrical power from the hybrid battery powers this electric motor. This motor also works as a generator during regenerative braking: the spinning car wheels spins the motor/generator, generating electricity which is fed back to the hybrid battery. The other motor/generator is driven by the petrol engine. The engine spins it to generate electricity as needed to recharge the hybrid battery. This second motor also acts as the starter to start the petrol engine.
Here is a simplified explanation of how the Toyota / Lexus hybrid system works...
When accelerating from stop and at low speeds, only the electric motor drives the car. When more power is needed (than can be provided by the electric motor) during faster acceleration and at higher speeds, the petrol engine starts up automatically and adds power to drive the car, in addition to the electric motor. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the automatically turning on (and off) of the petrol engine while the car is running should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
The petrol engine also drives an electrical generator to recharge the hybrid battery. The hybrid battery sits in the trunk, immediately behind the rear seat. There is still a 12-volt battery to start the car. Even if the hybrid battery is completely discharged, the car will still start the petrol engine from the 12-volt battery. While the large hybrid battery in the trunk of normal hybrid cars cannot be boosted or recharged from an outside source, the 12-volt battery can be boosted if it dies.
There is a 2-phase braking system: regenerative braking and normal friction braking. For the first little bit of brake pedal travel, it engages regenerative braking, which uses the electric motor (that would normally drive the car) as a generator, to re-charge the hybrid battery. The charging of the hybrid battery by the motor/generator slows the car. For greater braking power (the deeper the brake pedal is pushed), the normal friction (i.e. disk brakes) are engaged. In the best hybrid cars (Toyota / Lexus, for example), the switchover from regenerative braking to friction braking should be so smooth that the driver can barely feel it.
There are 2 electric motor/generators. One motor drives the car; the speed of the motor controls the speed of the car. Electrical power from the hybrid battery powers this electric motor. This motor also works as a generator during regenerative braking: the spinning car wheels spins the motor/generator, generating electricity which is fed back to the hybrid battery. The other motor/generator is driven by the petrol engine. The engine spins it to generate electricity as needed to recharge the hybrid battery. This second motor also acts as the starter to start the petrol engine.
#612
i wouldnt be surprised if it is revealed at Tokyo... which is soon enough. Dealers cant order 2IS after November :-)
#613
Lexus Champion
Your explanation on hybrid system functionality is correct, but on charging of batteries you are not up to date. http://www.toyota.com/prius-plug-in/trims-prices.html
plug-ins are here (and there =).
br,
Towi
plug-ins are here (and there =).
br,
Towi
And if you decide not to plug-in the Prius Plug-In, it will operate just like all the other hybrid models in the Toyota and Lexus lineup. If you do not recharge the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s hybrid battery from an outside source, it operates and behaves as I described.
#615