Toyota Prius hits 113mpg (the next one)
#1
Toyota Prius hits 113mpg (the next one)
Not sure if this has been posted before, a search found nothing :
Tuesday 4th April 2006
Toyota is charging ahead in the race for domination of the hybrid car market, according to Auto Express spies.
The firm's next Prius will be so efficient it will be the first production car capable of returning more than 110mpg. The newcomer is being developed to try to improve European sales. While the car has been a success in the US, it has met a mixed reaction on this side of the Atlantic, due to the popularity of diesel models.
But now we've been told that engineers working on the new Prius have a fuel economy target of 40km/litre - a mind-boggling 113mpg.
"The whole electrical system has been redesigned to improve economy" said one Toyota engineer. "We are working on a prototype that runs solely on the electric motor in slow traffic, but switches to engine and motor drive when higher speeds are needed." The secret lies with the batteries. The current Prius uses nickel-hydride items, which currently offer the best balance between cost and performance.
But engineers are working on new lithiumion cells, which are lighter, smaller, generate more power and last longer. Subaru and Mitsubishi both plan to sell electric cars by 2010, but Toyota hopes to get its new model on the road as early as 2008.
And improved economy isn't the firm's only goal, as engineers are working on reducing the current car's 10.9-second 0-62mph time by more than a second.
Peter Lyon
source : autoexpress.co.uk
Tuesday 4th April 2006
Toyota is charging ahead in the race for domination of the hybrid car market, according to Auto Express spies.
The firm's next Prius will be so efficient it will be the first production car capable of returning more than 110mpg. The newcomer is being developed to try to improve European sales. While the car has been a success in the US, it has met a mixed reaction on this side of the Atlantic, due to the popularity of diesel models.
But now we've been told that engineers working on the new Prius have a fuel economy target of 40km/litre - a mind-boggling 113mpg.
"The whole electrical system has been redesigned to improve economy" said one Toyota engineer. "We are working on a prototype that runs solely on the electric motor in slow traffic, but switches to engine and motor drive when higher speeds are needed." The secret lies with the batteries. The current Prius uses nickel-hydride items, which currently offer the best balance between cost and performance.
But engineers are working on new lithiumion cells, which are lighter, smaller, generate more power and last longer. Subaru and Mitsubishi both plan to sell electric cars by 2010, but Toyota hopes to get its new model on the road as early as 2008.
And improved economy isn't the firm's only goal, as engineers are working on reducing the current car's 10.9-second 0-62mph time by more than a second.
Peter Lyon
source : autoexpress.co.uk
#3
Go Toyota. This goes to show how far Toyota is ahead from the competition regarding hybrids. BMW, DaimlerChrysler, GM and other car manufacturers don't have anything on Toyota when it comes to hybrids. Once Toyota fully establishes gasoline/electric hybrids they will go into fuel cell/electric hybrids. There is no stopping Toyota now.
#4
113 MPG? Not bad. The best MPG figure I have seen to date for a production hybrid was a CAR and DRIVER test for a 2001 Honda Insight...a much smaller, lighter, less powerful car than the new Prius. C&D got a max 92 MPG with their Insight...right here in Washington, DC on I-295, I might add.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-10-06 at 09:12 AM.
#6
WOW....thats really good.
I guess this story coincides with this statement as well...
I guess this story coincides with this statement as well...
Toyota is working on plans for "plug-ins" for the battery from the grid at fuel stations, with future hybrids carrying a traditional power-point for domestic appliances to be used outside the home. Mr Abe said the next Prius model will be able to do a nine-mile commute to work without using any petrol or diesel.
#7
Yes...if real world mileage figures can come anywhere close to this the OPEC oil ministers are going to be burning some ( what else? ) midnight oil.
However, lets also wait and see what future diesels do...present diesels already pretty much equal present hybrid MPG figures with a lot less mechanical and electrical complexity, albeit it with more pollution.
However, lets also wait and see what future diesels do...present diesels already pretty much equal present hybrid MPG figures with a lot less mechanical and electrical complexity, albeit it with more pollution.
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#8
Originally Posted by mmarshall
Yes...if real world mileage figures can come anywhere close to this the OPEC oil ministers are going to be burning some ( what else? ) midnight oil.
However, lets also wait and see what future diesels do...present diesels already pretty much equal present hybrid MPG figures with a lot less mechanical and electrical complexity, albeit it with more pollution.
However, lets also wait and see what future diesels do...present diesels already pretty much equal present hybrid MPG figures with a lot less mechanical and electrical complexity, albeit it with more pollution.
However, in Europe, focus has been on performance rather than economics. People seem to be happy enough about 40-45mpg.
#9
Originally Posted by spwolf
nope, they dont... European best diesels still get 20% worse mpg than Prius. Only cars size of 3 door Yaris gets almost like Prius mileage (not quite), but usually with 70-80hp engines.
.
.
And......no, I have not yet heard of any production diesel car getting 113 MPG, though the European-only VW Lupo with the little 1.2L diesel supposedly, under ideal driving conditions, can get around 80.
Last edited by mmarshall; 04-10-06 at 10:21 AM.
#10
I'm not a big fan of the Prius. Too small and weak.
However, I am very interested in this lithiumium battery technology making its way into cars like the Camry hybrid, RX400h and GS450h.
Can you imagine a Camry getting 70 mpg?
Now, if they can somehow work out the issue of the battery eating into the trunk space, that would be great.
However, I am very interested in this lithiumium battery technology making its way into cars like the Camry hybrid, RX400h and GS450h.
Can you imagine a Camry getting 70 mpg?
Now, if they can somehow work out the issue of the battery eating into the trunk space, that would be great.
#12
Originally Posted by jrock65
I'm not a big fan of the Prius. Too small and weak.
Speaking of the prius, I saw a girl at ikea trying to stuff a couch through the hatch of her prius. The ikea employee helping her was getting pissed off and saying it doesnt fit.
Waht surprised me was that they managed to get the couch a little more than half way in though.
Should of snapped a pix.
#15
Originally Posted by LexArazzo
The secret lies with the batteries. The current Prius uses nickel-hydride items, which currently offer the best balance between cost and performance.
But engineers are working on new lithiumion cells, which are lighter, smaller, generate more power and last longer.
But engineers are working on new lithiumion cells, which are lighter, smaller, generate more power and last longer.
It certainly will appeal to those people who can "afford" to be green though.
Last edited by XeroK00L; 04-10-06 at 12:11 PM.