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Recent Comments:
Review: 2010 Volkswagen Golf TDI delivers potent one-two punch of efficiency and entertainment {Autoblog}
Apr 14th 2010 12:43PM Hybrid have plenty of torque. Electric motors RULE in matters of torque at any RPM.
The bland handling of the Prius isn't because it's a hybrid. It's because it's a Toyota.
If you put a diesel in a Prius, it would still be no fun.
If you put made a hybrid Golf, it would still be fun .. probably even more so.
Oil prices hit home for surfers {Autoblog Green}
Jul 10th 2008 2:31PM Oh no....not the poor surfers!
What about the kayakers. Running shuttles costs more now!
Or Skiers, or skydivers or, golfers, or especially the poor off-roaders.
Oh no.....the HORROR.
Better write an article on every one of those.
Sounds like another post that probably wouldn't have been written if the bloggers here weren't getting paid for each post.
BREAKING: Toyota to build new Prius in Mississippi in 2010, trucks to stop for 3 months {Autoblog Green}
Jul 10th 2008 10:36AM It's about time they started building this car in the country where they sell most of them.
Toyota touts Highlander hybrid's EV mode button in TV ad {Autoblog Green}
Jul 8th 2008 4:24PM The Highlander EV will be a factory option, so it's covered by the warranty.
But if you're asking about the aftermarket EV mode for the Prius...
it will get you about a mile or so (at up to 34 mph), depending on how full your battery is when you start.
It shouldn't affect battery life because the software in the car is very conservative and will only let you get down to 3 battery bars (not down to one bar like when you drive up steep mountains). Plus, it won't let you use EV under certain other conditions (really cold temps , etc)
There may be a small risk you take with your warranty.
Popular Mechanics to debunk the "run your car on water" myth {Autoblog Green}
Jul 8th 2008 4:11PM HHO is a prime example of how science education is severely deficient in the US for the average Joe, to the point where most people will believe claims that violate the Laws of Thermodynamics and throw their money away.
It's unfortunate that PM is going to install the system themselves. When PM publishes their results showing no improvement, it will be too easy for the tin-foil hat folks to say that PM must not have installed it right. PM should let one of the HHO magicians do it and then test it with proper sensors, etc. (or maybe they tried that and nobody took them up on this risky offer).
Maybe Mythbusters should do a show on this too. (they already busted various magic gas saving technologies, (like acetone, magnets, and hydrogen gas, but apparently not the HHO.)
Rendered Speculation: 2010 Toyota Prius {Autoblog Green}
Jul 8th 2008 1:51PM Pretty much ALL cars get bigger/faster etc over the years. Traditionally, the average Joe would rather have a new model that is slightly bigger, faster and more efficient, rather than one that is the same size and power but significantly more efficient.
Yes, this attitude may finally be changing...but we also have to remember that the decisions on the specs for the new Prius were probably made a couple of years ago and can't be changed instantly. So you're right that the new Prius represents the thinking from a few years ago.
Bob Lutz: EV1 never coming back {Autoblog Green}
Jul 2nd 2008 1:02PM Doesn't anyone think that maybe the EV-1 and RAV4 EV were discontinued because they were probably big money losers for the car companies?
Corporations are bound by their shareholders to try to make money. You can't blame them from stopping something that lost money, especially when CARB retreated from their EV mandate.
BenBrown...the Prius makes plenty of money for Toyota (and esp its dealers) and has been doing that for quite a few years now.
Bob Lutz: EV1 never coming back {Autoblog Green}
Jul 2nd 2008 12:47PM Ummmm.....
The EV-1 and RAV4 EV were discontinued because they were big money losers for the car companies (and maybe they were worried about the batteries becoming a problem too).
Corporations are bound their shareholders to try to make money. You can't blame them from stopping something that lost money, especially when CARB retreated from their EV mandate.
BenBrown...the Prius makes plenty of money for Toyota (and esp its dealers) and has been doing that for quite a few years now.
VIDEO: The opposite of hypermiling - BMW M3 vs Toyota Prius {Autoblog Green}
Jul 1st 2008 4:19PM Re 14 and 19:
The electric motor/generator is always doing something, regardless of speed. It evens out power demands and keeps the ICE at more constant rpms, which improves efficiency, even at highway speeds.
Also the electric motor allows you to build a car with a smaller engine (more efficient) which is also tuned to the more efficient Atkinson cycle. The electric motor makes up for the torque and power that this smaller, more efficient engine would otherwise be missing.
VIDEO: The opposite of hypermiling - BMW M3 vs Toyota Prius {Autoblog Green}
Jul 1st 2008 11:25AM Obviously Virgil has NO CLUE as to how a Prius works.
