2009 Prius - why such a big engine? - Page 8

 


If they've kept the price "the same" it seems to me that they've done all
three - after all with inflation the 20k-25k (or whatever a Prius costs) is
worth less this year than it was last year, and next year it'll be worth
less yet.

 

And then, what happens when you turn on the air conditioning?  Or even the
defroster fan?

On the local interstate, I routinely (but not quite always) set the cruise
control at 55 (that was the posted speed limit for years, done as a fuel
saving measure, and you know, it still works) and stay in the right lane.
But there are times when somebody abruptly changes lanes, or at entrance
ramps, when a little extra jolt of speed is needed.

I'd say that well over 99% of my driving time is at 55 mph or less, but no
way I'd buy a car that had a max speed of 55 without some huge compensating
factor in return, on the order of triple digit mileage per gallon.  And
maybe not even then - the only feasible commuting routes for my wife and me
involve interstate type roads.  I know, local roads exist,  but with
intersections, stop signs, traffic lights, and unlimited access from
driveways, parking lots, etc. you're lucky to average 25 mph

 
ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Not really.  Unless you want to create millions of jobs for licensed fork
truck operators.  If that's the goal, fine.  But otherwise, it makes more
sense to leave the battery package in the car.  -Dave

 

pollution that wind farms involve.


What are you doing down there on the floor, child ?


to the electric grid.


Yes, really.


You dont need a fork truck to do that and even if you
did, you dont need to have the car driver doing it anyway.

And the charge aint in liquid chemicals anyway.


battery package in the car.

Nope.

 
I found one thing I am missing. The Prius has an Atkinson cycle engine
while the non-hybrids have Otto cycle engines. The Atkinson cycle
engine is more efficient but less powerful than an equal sized Otto
cycle engine.