Prius III hits 113mpg Imperial/94 mpg US

[xcel]

Prius III – PHEV and 94 mpg!

Peter Lyon - Auto Express - April 04, 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.

As linked from GCC.

[Chuck]

This four-time Honda driver is getting envious!

This even beats the IMAS/"Insight II".

I might start reconsidering that MIMA upgrade.

[Green&Blue]

Originally Posted by Delta Flyer

This four-time Honda driver is getting envious!

This even beats the IMAS/"Insight II".

Just remember, fellow Honda-phile... it doesn't beat the FCX

Of course, it might be more *accessible* to the average consumer than the FCX, both from an ownership and fueling perspective, by 2008.

I'd have to look very hard at a Prius III, to be honest, if 'Yota makes good on these goals. You don't know how much it pains me to say that

[brick]

If Toyota can deliver the goods and I happen to have funds for a new car 'round about 2009 I would be all over that. Then again I expect my Accord to be about 1/3 of the way through its useful life by then so I might have to hold out for 120mpg.

[philmcneal]

don't worry Honda won't let Toyota get all the glory. I'm sure Honda has something up its sleeve (maybe?)

[tigerhonaker]

Well, Guys and Gals, I'm sure glad the (Wife) Loves the New HCH II we just took Delivery of.

I'll let you all figure out why???

[tarabell]

You're not.....giving her your car are you?

(trying to imagine the unimaginable)

[Chuck]

I expect the 2008 Prius to be better than any previous model. What kind of driving was done on the Prius III? Hypermilers can get that kind of results with current models. When the EPA tests, it may "only" be 80mpg.

Moving Forward - and Way Ahead

Let's conservately say in 2008 the Prius gets 80mpg. GM and DCX will have hybrids, but is the Durango, Tahoe, or Escalade going to even break 25mpg? Hopefully the FEH will be in a second generation and Ford will have other hybrid offerings. I hope Honda will have more hybrid options, but suspect Toyota will show them up, even to the point of getting better fleet mpg than Honda.

In the meantime, I would not be suprized if US gas pump prices in 2008 is around $3.50-4.00. This is assuming that Hugo Chavez and Iran are only fuming at us - not major hissed.

Anyone want to buy a 2008 Tahoe to impress?

[tigerhonaker]

Originally Posted by tarabell

You're not.....giving her your car are you?

(trying to imagine the unimaginable)

Tara,
Well not just yet, anyway. Prius III is not out yet.

[Sledge]

Me want! ME WANT!!