1 millionth Prius sold in the USA

Best of all, the Atkinson Prius engine has much higher efficiency than the Otto engine. So Prius owners get exceptionally higher composite mileage for the interior space and payload compared to any named gasser or diesel.

Bob Wilson

Perhaps you don't read very well:

I'm very happy that we get no mailings about replacing the timing chain. Very happy!

Bob Wilson

We had both a 2001 Echo and 2003 Prius and were able to directly compare the 1.5L, 1NZ engines and operation of both vehicles. By every metric, external and internal, the 2003 Prius was quieter than the Echo. The Prius had far less vibration especially noticeable at a stop and slow speeds when the engine stopped. But even on the highway, the Prius was quieter with significantly less noise and vibration.

Now even a hybrid skeptic might be able to understand that less power out of the engine means ... less noise and vibration. The Prius engine moving parts don't have to thrash around so much and thus the blessings of quiet and smooth electric power. But there is one other aspects that is beyond the understanding of hybrid skeptics, the engine counter torque and MG1.

The power-split device transfers engine torque to the main drive gears by working against the torque of MG1. Roughly 28% of the power passes through MG1 but all of the engine torque has to work against the low mass, MG1 including power pulses. So instead of passing power pulses through the gears and motor mounts, these impulses are absorbed and returned by MG1.

So we were quite happy to sell the 2001 Echo and replace it with a

The new owner of the Echo is very happy as it replaced his 25 MPG, bench seat, Toyota pickup. A week ago, he, his wife, and three young kids took the Echo on a day-trip to Birmingham and back and it worked great for them ... much more practical than their small pickup. They also have a van but it was down for repair.

In summary, we're all pretty happy with our decisions. Our under utilized Echo has found a good home which after nine years had we had just put under 30,000 miles. Once we got the 2003 Prius, the Echo became driveway 'art' because it was noisier, less comfortable, and more expensive to operate than the Prius. Our replacement 2010 Prius has in less than two years clocked up over 18,000 miles, twice the usage of the 2001 Echo. And our paid-off, compact, 2003 Prius continues to provide 52 MPG city commuting service in Huntsville.

So tell us, our tar-baby stuck, reality challenged, insult-dog, hybrid skeptic, what gasser or diesel comes even close?

Bob Wilson

Perhaps you don't read so well: the discussion centered around the claim that the Prius is superior to all other cars because it uses a timing chain. The implication is that it is unique in that regard.

Which, of course, is bullshit.

Then you came in trying to amplify that claimed "superiority" on the basis of your dealer sending, or not, you mailings that you "don't like".

Go ahead, put the Otto cycle parts into your Prius--because, after all, it's your claim that the two engines are identical--and see how far you get down the road before the computer kills your fun.

Funny thing: a close friend of mine has a VW diesel, and his experience disagrees with you.

I'm very happy that we get no mailings about replacing the timing chain. Very happy!

Bob Wilson

On Apr 25, 5:35 am, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" wrote:

That is OK, I have even better friends in the VW community and over at

I especially like his posting:

"9-30-2005

Anti-Hybrid: Introduction. These personal logs are loaded with instances of anti-hybrid attacks, where certain people who want hybrids to fail respond to online forum messages with harmful intent. They are determined to do whatever it takes to prevent progress. They fear change, and I know it. So for awhile, I debated. But eventually it became clear that they absolutely wouldn't give up, that desperation forced them to take some rather surprising approaches. So I departed, figuring there was no benefit in drawing anymore attention to them. Then an idea hit me. What would happen if I returned, after months of being absent? Turns out, they attacked me immediately. Certain antagonists, determined to dissuade newbies, didn't want someone of my experience joining in again. I was far too well informed about what they were truly up to. And I used that to my full advantage, but not to win any quarrels this time. My true purpose was research, documenting every trick they pulled so I could teach people afterward what to look for. And believe it or not, within just a week I had witnessed about two dozen different deceptive techniques... which I will now share with you (in no particular order)."

Yes, my hybrid-skeptic, you are like a fly stuck on fly-paper who no matter how hard he flaps finds getting stuck even deeper and deeper. Strawmen, trying to inject false arguments, and insults have no effect but to belittle your efforts. An arsenal of facts and data await to be applied with the same gentle administrations as your comments suggests they are needed. We're not dealing with ignorance here but just another petty, internet bully trying to use "because I say so ..." not backed up by facts and data.

Bob Wilson

Tsk, tsk.

Yes, anyone can create pretty charts out of thin air, and/or selectively delete data that don't create the conclusion you want to create.

So how does that make the Prius superior to all other cars?

Go on, tell us.

Den 25.04.2011 18:20, skrev Elmo P. Shagnasty:

And why dont you do it, if it is so easy.

hPSa

Local conditions applied, wet when it rained, dry when it didn't, cooler in the winter and hotter during the summer.

Facts are the VW diesels, a much smaller compact car, got it's Elmo whipped by the Prius and lost two-of-three falls with the Insight. What a pathetic, weak, Shagnasty assertion.

Bob Wilson

You've never even experienced 15 degree weather, let alone driven your Prius in it for short trips and then for longer trips on a highway against 20mph winds.

And done the same thing with a VW diesel.

What would be the point of creating pretty charts out of thin air like Bob is doing?

You are wacko...

Den 27.04.2011 02:08, skrev Elmo P. Shagnasty:

It takes one to know one

hPSa

What would be the point of creataing pretty charts out of thin air like Bob is doing?

Getting desperate, are we? Of course you could have just asked nicely instead of being an ass.

It turns out I've made a study of Prius cold weather performance at all temperatures. Yet my annual MPG still runs 52 MPG. But looking at some of the early data from GreenHybrid.com:

Excellent! I used your data to make this table:

TempF TempC density_kg/m3 %_density MPG

There is very good agreement from my informal measurements across the temperature ranges of this trip. Whenever the temperature was above freezing, the North American MFD would show 5 minute bars equal or above the mid-range, 50 MPG scale. But once the temperature dropped to freezing or lower, very few of the bars would exceed the mid-scale mark.

On the way out of town at 15F, I saw MG1 reach 80C while MG2 stayed about 12C cooler. I've recorded some data and will analyze it later.

On the trip I was thinking that cold weather would be an excellent time to test aerodynamic modifications. I briefly thought about taking the water noodle, radiator block out but I was in a hurry to get home. But we are expecting another cold front later this week. . . ." posted in "Prius_Technical_Stuff", Jan 21, 2008

It turns out that there are a few simple rules of Prius cold weather driving that significantly improves performance.

So which one do you drive now, the VW diesel or the Prius. It would be a waste of time to teach you Prius cold weather techniques if your ride is just a VW diesel. Regardless, the techniques are fairly straight forward so I'll start a fresh thread.

Bob Wilson

Still desperate I see. Unable to provide facts or data, you've reverted to low-class, trailer-trash, makin' sh*t up. Fortunately, my charts are drawn from public sources that are freely available.

Someone with a personality or character disorder will see everyone else as "wacko" which is an important clue. Their minds don't work right as they live in an alternate reality. But that alternate reality doesn't stop them from being abusive, rude, and giving credence to why mankind called their condition "mad." The world does not work for them the way they want it to work so they babble on incessantly trying to use words to change a reality, a universe, that doesn't dance to their disconnected reality. Still, even a village idiot can be useful.

So as 'Elmo" spouts his nonsense, it gives an opportunity to bring facts and data into the discuss. Such insanity provides an invitation to exploring and expanding our Prius knowledge. Like CNW Marketing or the Sunday Mail or a host of hybrid skeptics, time and examination has not been kind to their point of view ... and USA Prius sales have exceeded one million.

Bob Wilson

On Apr 27, 5:28 am, "Elmo P. Shagnasty" wrote: . . .

My charts come from hard, empirical data and observations:

GreenHybrid.com

Empirical data contradicts your nonsense. Still, your postings continue to serve as an invitation to share the facts and data. For example, the thread started with Prius sales and I saw this note last night:

Around the world Toyota currently offers 16 hybrids in around 80 countries, including MPVs, saloons, hatchbacks and SUVs, plus three commercial vehicles in Japan. Toyota has announced that worldwide cumulative sales of its hybrid vehicles have topped the three million mark.

Since the launch of the Toyota Coaster Hybrid EV coach in August 1997 and the introduction of the first-generation Prius – the world’s first mass-produced hybrid – in December the same year, Toyota has successfully propelled hybrid technology from automotive niche towards the mainstream, an achievement demonstrated by an acceleration in sales that has seen more than a million new hybrids being added to the sales total since August 2009. . . ."

This is great news as every car manufacturer either has or has announced hybrids that will show up under their badges by 2012. Of course not every hybrid will be a success but the die is cast and one might as well command the tide to stop as think it won't happen.

Bob Wilson

no, I see your pretty charts and see lack of data.

I see you stacking the deck, as it were.

BTW, have you ever driven your Prius in 10 degree weather on short trips? Or in 10 degree weather on the freeway for several hours against a 20mph wind?

Where's THAT chart?