You are here: Forums Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius What to expect from the next model year Prius

What to expect from the next model year Prius

311 messages,  Last post on Apr 26, 2009 at 5:43 AM

You are in the Toyota Prius Forum. Your Host is pf_flyer

What is this discussion about? Toyota Prius, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 12 of 32 1 ... 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ... 32 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#107 of 311 Fast Company by toyolla2 Oct 31, 2007 (6:57 pm)
Landspeed Prius Hits 130.794 mph at Bonneville On 23rd December 2004 a modified Toyota Prius reached 130.794 mph on the three-mile short course at the Bonneville Salt Flats. An engineering group from Toyota and Toyota Motorsports worked on the Prius for more than two months to prepare the vehicle. The Landspeed Prius ran a stock Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain. The transmission final drive gear ratio for the gas engine was modified from the stock 4.113:1 to 3.2, while the inverter voltage was increased to 550 from 500 volts. The engine redline was also changed for optimum performance. A transmission cooling system was added to the front passenger area to decrease the temperature of the inverter and electric motors. Regular ice was constantly added to the system to prevent overheating. Ambient temperature on the salt flats was nearly 100 degrees with nearly 100 degrees humidity. Thanks to greencarscongress for the above, although this probably showed here on Edmunds News and Views at the time, it was likely archived somewhere.   That aside, I have read that under ideal conditions Prius will cruise at 100mph with 49Hp so it would not be too severely taxed since the 1NZ-FXE engine produces 76Hp 5000rpm. As most know by now this engine has an almost flat torque curve with respect to speed, so this would correlate to an engine speed somewhere north of 3330 rpm. Bottom line At 100 mph Prius could cruise all day. On the otherhand, I would not object to an 80mph Prius, unfortunately the tradeoff of adding something to the bottom end would not be that great since we are dealing with the HSD which is mostly a constant power system.    I should mention that here in the great white north they just added a new law. Go more than 30mph above posted limit and they impound the car, suspend your licence and impose fines between $2000-$10,000. The ink for this new law hardly dry but they've already caught (actually "surprised" would be a more accurate verb here !) over one thousand drivers. T2 Replies to this message: wwest (Nov 01, 2007 9:24 am) wwest (Nov 01, 2007 9:27 am)
#108 of 311 Re: Fast Company [toyolla2] by wwest Nov 01, 2007 (9:24 am)
Replying to: toyolla2 (Oct 31, 2007 6:57 pm) "unfortunately..."   The bottom end torque could be limited just as easily as top speed, not that TC wouldn't already, but only after the "fact". Perhaps a "snow" mode..??
#109 of 311 Re: Fast Company [toyolla2] by wwest Nov 01, 2007 (9:27 am)
Replying to: toyolla2 (Oct 31, 2007 6:57 pm) "..Bonneville.."   I hope, like to think, they added some downforce "effects" and wider tread tires for that high speed run.
#111 of 311 Re: Rumours [hybridlover1] by stevegold Nov 09, 2007 (5:35 am)
That's 90 miles per Imperial gallon, somewhat better than 2004-2008. The batteries will remain Lead/Acid not Li-on as originally planned.
#112 of 311 About the new Prius by stevegold Nov 09, 2007 (5:42 am)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/212241/prius_estate_on_way.htm- l Replies to this message: gagrice (Nov 09, 2007 7:02 am) kdhspyder (Nov 09, 2007 7:44 am) pathstar1 (Nov 09, 2007 9:00 am) wwest (Nov 09, 2007 10:25 am)
#113 of 311 Re: About the new Prius [stevegold] by gagrice Nov 09, 2007 (7:02 am)
Replying to: stevegold (Nov 09, 2007 5:42 am) Could this be true? Using Lead Acid instead of NiMH batteries as in the current Prius?   This is set to be powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine, mated to a more efficient hybrid system. Previously, Toyota has hinted it would use lithium-ion batteries to create a vehicle capable of returning up to 100mpg. However, technical challenges in the development of the new cells has forced bosses to abandon this plan, and instead it will use less advanced lead acid cells. Replies to this message: kdhspyder (Nov 09, 2007 7:44 am) pathstar1 (Nov 09, 2007 9:00 am) wwest (Nov 09, 2007 10:25 am)
#114 of 311 Re: About the new Prius [gagrice] by kdhspyder Nov 09, 2007 (7:44 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Nov 09, 2007 7:02 am) No that's a typo.. The current and the next Gen will still have NiMH batteries. I'd expect the new Prius to achieve about 55 -60 mpg Combined under the new 2008 regulations. That's a 20% increase in Average FE. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Nov 09, 2007 9:00 am)
#115 of 311 Re: About the new Prius [kdhspyder] by pathstar1 Nov 09, 2007 (9:00 am)
Replying to: kdhspyder (Nov 09, 2007 7:44 am) I'd say that's an indicator of the accuracy of the "news item". Yet more speculation from a bogus auto mag trying to sell copies.
#116 of 311 Re: About the new Prius [gagrice] by wwest Nov 09, 2007 (10:25 am)
Replying to: gagrice (Nov 09, 2007 7:02 am) "..1.6-litre turbo engine..."   NOT...!!   There is just barely enough HEAT level left in the exhaust of an atkinson engine to fire off the catalyst to operating temperature. Certainly NOT enough to "power" a turbo.   On the other hand a fully variable speed/boost Supercharger might be an ideal way to increase the power of a 1.6L engine up to the level "required". Adding another variable frequency inverter to power a 2-3 HP AC motor to drive the SC would be a POC. Even better, driving the SC via a combination of the ICE and an AC motor via a form of the e-CVT would be even better.

Messages Page 12 of 32 1 ... 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 ... 32 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Hybrid Vehicles Toyota Prius What to expect from the next model year Prius