250mpg On A Modified Toyota Prius

[water]

CNN Article

CORTE MADERA, California (AP) -- Politicians and automakers say a car that can both reduce greenhouse gases and free America from its reliance on foreign oil is years or even decades away.

Ron Gremban says such a car is parked in his garage.

 

[Coqui]

What they don't say, was that those 250 miles were on a steep downhill and he left it in neutral

 

[Millions]

When they make one that doesn't look like ass, I'll buy it.

 

[kiwi]

CNN Article

Let's get you that kind of a car to get to work everyday.

 

[Syrup Beaver]

With a 120 mile roundtrip commute 5 days a week, it would take 2.5 years to make up the difference in cost of doing that to an already expensive car.

You'll still save money by just getting a Honda Civic instead, unless gas starts going over $5 a gallon here.

 

[Galen]

What they don't say, was that those 250 miles were on a steep downhill and he left it in neutral

PROPANE CARS ARE FOR REAL MEN.

I have actually thought about buying an LPG BMW, but then I wised up.

 

[Bubbles]

........unless gas starts going over $5 a gallon here.

Be careful......Big Brother can hear you.

 

[water]

Let's get you that kind of a car to get to work everyday.

If Toyota delivers on their fuel-eco 4Runner I would kill a man in cold blood for one.

 

[kiwi]

If Toyota delivers on their fuel-eco 4Runner I would kill a man in cold blood for one.

But that would be MY vehicle, not yours silly.

 

[b_sinning]

Wonder what the top speed is and how many hours it takes you to achieve it.

 

[fly]

Wonder what the top speed is and how many hours it takes you to achieve it.

lead-acid = HEAVY

 

[qlat]

Why would an electrical engineer use so many car batteries?

Needs moar Li-Ion.

 

[fly]

Why would an electrical engineer use so many car batteries?

Needs moar Li-Ion.

$$$

 

[Syrup Beaver]

lead-acid = HEAVY

Probably with what he has in there, it's not much worse than having a couple of passengers.

Not much of a tradeoff for a commute, where you'd eke out the best mpg with the Prius since at low speeds it uses the electric motor only.

 

[Syrup Beaver]

Be careful......Big Brother can hear you.

They have a chip in my brain

 

[itburnswhenipee]

lead-acid = HEAVY

Actually, the Prius uses NiMH batteries for the drive pack. It's also got a smaller, conventional battery (think motorcycle battery) for driving the electronics when the car is off.

Oh, and KNYTE, the hybrid Highlander is out.

...

I just spoke with one of the tech services guys and the tech coordinator from Japan. They don't know of any plans to release a hybrid 4runner anytime soon. Sounds like the camry (and lexus ES) are going to be next.

 

[fly]

Actually, the Prius uses NiMH batteries for the drive pack. It's also got a smaller, conventional battery (think motorcycle battery) for driving the electronics when the car is off.

Right. But the batteries he added were lead-acid.

 

[itburnswhenipee]

Right. But the batteries he added were lead-acid.

Missed that in the article. I guess it was a cost decision.

 

[fly]

Missed that in the article. I guess it was a cost decision.

Yeah, he would have gotten much better performance by not using car batteries.

 

[water]

I just spoke with one of the tech services guys and the tech coordinator from Japan. They don't know of any plans to release a hybrid 4runner anytime soon. Sounds like the camry (and lexus ES) are going to be next.

You get those bastards on the phone and you tell 'em to get that 4Runner moving. You tell 'em said so.