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The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

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Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#281

Post by juanpicardo »

jgilias wrote: post #36

I sometimes chuckle that most of the cool Lexuses are now Priuses under the hood! But that’s a good thing. I own a Toyota Corolla hybrid myself, and hybrids are one of those things that I can say I’ve completely changed my mind about. I used to dislike the idea of hybrids, because I assumed that the overall system complexity must be higher than either an ICE, or an EV. And I’m a sucker for simple systems, so I though…

I was also worried about my wrong perception of hybrids being too complex. I recommend people to check on how e-CVT transmissions work, they are quite amazing and simple.

I also have now an hybrid Corolla (the station wagon version the US does not get. Because we all now Station wagons are the superior form of car.)

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#282

Post by batushka5 »

gnkyfrg wrote: post #97

Toyota explicitly stated that the hybrid strategy spreads the lithium out to more cars, increasing fuel economy across the fleet. Tesla's 800hp super cars aren't green and never were. They consume lithium to such a degree that they are, maybe even worse in the long run. Using 800 horses to transport one human never could be efficient, no matter the technology.

800 horse Teslas overtaking narative as "green", "environmental", "eco friednly" is a true sleight of hand from the marketing department.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#283

Post by dtgriscom »

DiggyJohnson wrote: post #121
dtgriscom wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not a challenge, but a plea: where's your source(s) for this? I'm about where you were, but would love to know more about the internals so I can make an informed choice when my current (ICE) car dies.

Respectfully, why are you asking for sources on an already high effort subjective post instead of verifying the info yourself? Wikipedia is a great place to start with car spec stuff.

Because when I ask questions like that in this forum, I get great answers (as you've seen). And, other visitors with the same interests can benefit from those answers.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#284

Post by dzhiurgis »

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #178
_yb2s wrote: post #167

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Prius system is an excellent design, but as someone that loves driving, it just feels and drives awful- little tactile or audible feedback on any of the controls, and really unresponsive to inputs- arguably dangerously so. My regular daily driver is an old Porsche Boxster, and by comparison the Prius feels like I’m driving a dishwasher or playing a cheap arcade game- it will get you there reliably but it’s just n…

> Life is too short for me not to enjoy the time I have to spend driving. Or, you could reengineer your too-short life so you waste less time driving. It’s fine if you like driving and want to have a nice car - connoisseurs abound in all fields. But for 99% of people it’s not an issue worth optimizing for.

> But for 99% of people it’s not an issue worth optimizing for.

Bold claim. Sitting in traffic in manual or auto ICE is a nightmare compared to a Tesla.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#285

Post by dzhiurgis »

epolanski wrote: post #264
_yb2s wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Funnier? I assume you mean fun? I assure you there is no bait- it’s an example of things that would make an everyday chore fun to me, and needs no justification. I would suggest you do what would make it fun to you.

Yeah, as I'm boggled down in traffic on 30/50 kmh roads and sitting idle every two meters in Italy I would see no difference. So I'd rather get the prius-like ergonomics and comfort.

You assume entire planet lives in Italy?

Of course cars suck in cities, but they are great in rural areas.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#286

Post by dzhiurgis »

_yb2s wrote: post #192
01HNNWZ0MV43FF wrote: post #184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> a pure EV with a small range extender not connected to the drivetrain mechanically That is, a series hybrid, like a diesel locomotive?

Yes, a range extender EV like the BMW i3 REx is technically a series hybrid, but it is designed to operate most of the time on electricity only and be plugged in to charge- with a large EV size battery and a very small lightweight moped engine in the extender. The range extender basically gives you protection from range anxiety, but isn't used at all in normal use of the vehicle. On the i3, it only starts the engine…

> gives you protection from range anxiety

And grants you maintenance anxiety.

Where I live charging infrastructure is good enough that a 300-400km range EV is completely sufficient. Range extenders is a niche solution.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#287

Post by dzhiurgis »

gcanyon wrote: post #19

The new Prius is really good-looking (to my eye at least), especially in person: I don't think the photos (I've seen) do it justice. Fun comparisons to the car Burt Reynolds drove in Smokey and the Bandit: Compared to the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am: - The Prius is as fast 0-60 (~7 seconds) - The Prius has nearly the same top speed (~115 mph) - The Prius is 4x(!) as fuel-efficient (57mpg vs. 12-16mpg) - The Prius has all t…

> The Prius has all the modern stuff

Hilarious to think this is modern stuff. This stuff is 2-3 decades old.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#288

Post by kla-s »

hedora wrote: post #46
kla-s wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah its a mixed bag in germany in my eyes. All of the big brands have a real electric platform minus BMW. 800V isnt pioneered with them either. VDA is pressuring for HVO100 bs. Mercedes just pulled back on the electric only strategy. I guess they figured that most of the added value is with the batteries and being deeply integrated there and thats not really their cup of tea, so far at least. There where Taycans for…

What’s wrong with BMW’s platform? The technology (e.g. heat pump, carbon fiber/aluminum body), user interface and fuel economy (not range) of my old i3 are all competitive with the 2022-2024 EVs I’ve driven. Unless they somehow regressed 10 years, the only obvious problem with the new BMW EVs is that none offer a third row.

I dislike the cardan tunnel of the shared ICE/BEV platform if you look at eg the i4. It exacerbates the problem of all (aerodinammically efficient) BEVs with a low roof line: blood flow problems due to hip impingement is bound to happen due to the "head between knees" sitting position in the back.

My main gripe is no 800V, it would be a sane travel car with that.

No frunk to store the possibly wet and dirty ac cable. Yes they exist on the aftermarket but the car is a premium product, one shouldn't have to deal with this.

My personal EV tech goal/dream is 400km range in between 20-80% SOC, chargeable in 2t vehicle so tire rub will probably increase slightly, though i think its a worthwile trade off). So i guess my last gripe is price, yes its a premium product but the production complexity and price should go down vs BEVs...

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#289

Post by gcanyon »

dzhiurgis wrote: post #287
gcanyon wrote: post #19

The new Prius is really good-looking (to my eye at least), especially in person: I don't think the photos (I've seen) do it justice. Fun comparisons to the car Burt Reynolds drove in Smokey and the Bandit: Compared to the 1977 Pontiac Trans Am: - The Prius is as fast 0-60 (~7 seconds) - The Prius has nearly the same top speed (~115 mph) - The Prius is 4x(!) as fuel-efficient (57mpg vs. 12-16mpg) - The Prius has all t…

> The Prius has all the modern stuff Hilarious to think this is modern stuff. This stuff is 2-3 decades old.

I included information screen -- just didn't want to type out Apple and Android car software. And backup cameras are more recent than 20 years mostly.

Re: The Toyota Prius transformed the auto industry

#290

Post by steveoscaro »

AtlasBarfed wrote: post #252
steveoscaro wrote: post #250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Spoke like a true oil industry executive

The argument still works for another 10 year cycle. Hybrids are not the enemy. Pure ICEs are. Hybrids (well phevs) can deliver huge % of electrification and efficiency while transitioning older, dumber, and more conservative drivers to EVs, home charging, without having to plan As to the article, I don't think they were influential enough. This obviously wouldn't have happened with the Bush administration, but maybe…

A few hanging chads really changed the course of the western world in... 2000 I think.
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