CD Article: 2010 Toyota Prius

[Rupert]

I liked the blue car better but these extremely low profile tires must make for a hard ride. Bling and blip does not make for a better or more appealing car. You have to look beyond the flair.

[airbalancer]

892 miles / 1435.86 km on a tank of gas about 44 litres
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-fuel-economy/69244-800-mile-attempt-one-tank.html

[Mitlov]

I'm starting to see these around.  Aesthetically, it's a huge leap forward from the MkII when you see it in person.  Same overall silhouette, but its lines are tauter, more finished.

[Arctic_White]

Looks amazing!

Certainly one of my favourite cars.  And i'd consider buying it if it was offered in manual transmission.

[Mitlov]

Looks amazing!

Certainly one of my favourite cars.  And i'd consider buying it if it was offered in manual transmission.

I thought Toyota's hybrid system wasn't compatible with a traditional manual?  I thought only Honda-style hybrids could be hooked up to a manual (and even then, it hasn't been done since the first Insight).

If you want something more eco-friendly than a normal gas engine, but you want three pedals, there's only two ways to go:

[Arctic_White]

I do like the Golf wagon, and will consider it when the time comes. 

Thanks for posting the pics; the red one looks HOT!

[Mitlov]

I do like the Golf wagon, and will consider it when the time comes. 

Thanks for posting the pics; the red one looks HOT!

You have a funny version of "hot."  And I'm a VeeDub guy. 

[Arctic_White]

To each his own, my friend.

And this is coming from a guy who thinks his 8th gen. Civic looks amazing from the inside.   

[airbalancer]

Here is a 2010 lowered
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10363641-48.html

[G35X]

“Certainly one of my favourite cars.  And i'd consider buying it if it was offered in manual transmission… “ - Arctic_White

The current Prius drive system is a kind of CVT driven by either ICE or electric motor or both through a planetary gear system.  Therefore, traditional transmission, manual or automatic, is redundant and not necessary.  What we can hope for is much simpler parallel hybrid system like Honda’s from Subaru, a Toyota company.  Because of its shorter north-south length of Subaru’s flat-4 engine it is relatively easy to install a powerful electric motor in the place where the flywheel is currently located. The high torque nature of the electric motor at low rpm should compensate nicely for the weak torque of the short-stroke flat-4.  With this simple parallel design it is possible to install conventional manual transmission.  Who knows the small “sports” car being developed at Subaru for Toyota is a hybrid with much smaller and lighter Li-ion battery pack? 

[airbalancer]

2010 Prius Preview: A Hypermiler's perspective
http://priuschat.com/news/2010-prius-preview-a-hypermilers-perspective

[articsteve]

Great article

[Canada Stig]

"New Tech" Prius real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50 mpg

"100 year old technology" Jetta Diesel real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50mpg

Hmmm.

[johngenx]

I love diesels and think that they are a key part of our strategy in reducing our overall fuel consumption.  The Mercedes diesel I owned was an amazing car to drive and the fuel economy was incredible, especially compared to the gas version of the car.

But, diesel has some limitations, especially around emissions.  It is "old" technology, and the marginal gains coming from diesel engines are minimal.  Hybrid technology on the other hand, is far from it's zenith, and I think that we need to keep exploring it.  If we don't, we won't see major improvements in battery technology in terms of capacity, weather resistance and environmental impact.

[airbalancer]

"New Tech" Prius real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50 mpg

"100 year old technology" Jetta Diesel real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50mpg

Hmmm.

Where are you getting 45-50?
Because we are getting 4.9l/100km in mix drive after 9000 km

[safristi]

..so the 35% more efficient Diesel engines haven't IMPROVED since Umm err Dr Deisel...c'mon   U hybridians Ya gotta do better than that lame arse response.....maybe ya need a direct injection of HOPE & CHANGE..................or say a hybrid diesel perpetual EMOTION MACHINE.....

[Canada Stig]

"New Tech" Prius real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50 mpg

"100 year old technology" Jetta Diesel real world fuel economy (Mixed) - about 45-50mpg

Hmmm.

Where are you getting 45-50?
Because we are getting 4.9l/100km in mix drive after 9000 km

A friend owns one - a 2006 Prius - and drives "normally" - indicating he gets in this range.  Just going by heresay.

Of course, 4.9L/100km translates to roughly 53mpg imperial (or about 43mpg US) so that also seems to be fairly close to the range my buddy gets - perhaps you are a little easier on it than he is. 

The Diesel numbers are from my 1994 Jetta that (sadly) I no longer own and that was used for urban/suburban commuting.  Of course, on a run from Toronto to Atlanta in that I got about 65mpg on the highway and didn't need to stop for Fuel until I crossed into Georgia!

[airbalancer]

1994 Jetta TDI is a pretty dirty running engine compared to a Prius
4.9 liters/100 km equals 57.65 miles per gallon (British/Imperial). http://www.sciencemadesimple.net/fuel_economy.php

[safristi]

1994 Jetta Vs 2009 PRAYUS...................

[Canada Stig]

1994 Jetta TDI is a pretty dirty running engine compared to a Prius
4.9 liters/100 km equals 57.65 miles per gallon (British/Imperial). http://www.sciencemadesimple.net/fuel_economy.php

Sorry, I roughly calculated it in my head - even still, 57mpg is still not the holy grail of fuel efficiency. 

Yes, no argument there - the 1994 Jetta Diesel is a fairly dirty engine.  It is also a 16 year old engine that could beat a Prius' MPG hands down with careful driving, and could come close even flogging the heck out of it.  Of course, a 2010 VW TDI would be a LOT cleaner, gets better EPA ratings than my old '94, and is cheaper than a Prius.

Sorry, not drinking the Hybrid Kool-Aid.  Never have, even with the old Honda Insight, which DID get truly excellent mileage, and never will.  If you are that big of a greenie, and need good urban MPG, take public transit.  If you need good highway MPG, get a Diesel. 

Now, to be fair to the Prius, it is rated in Europe at a Co2 rating of 92g/km, which is excellent and only seems to be beaten by cars not available in N America.  The 2010 Jetta 2.0L TDI is rated at 143 manual/152 automatic g/km of Co2, also very good.  Only tiny cars like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris can come this close on Co2 with non-hybrid gas engines.  No mention of the environmental impact of disposing of the dead batteries in a hybrid, of course.  FYI, A Lamborghini Murcialago is rated at over 500g/km.

FYI, I am a big fan of great MPG ratings since I don't really like sending extra money to oil companies.