Line up to pay MSRP+ for the Japan only built Prius BUT where's the hybrid? The other day I carefully examined one of these bad-boys and guess what? ONE energy source and that was GASOLINE. So, where is the hybrid? Dealer was clueless - well, MORE clueless than usual. So, anyone here know?
The drivetrain is hybrid, not the source of energy, which is why Toyota calls it Hybrid Synergy Drive and not Hybrid Synergy Power or Energy.
All Prii are not hybrids.
ummmmm.....
It's a gasoline powered car. Nothing really special at all. And, in terms of economy, nothing that couldn't be done with a like powered (gasoline) Corolla. But that wouldn't be as trendy and mysterious thus high margin which is really what the Prius is all about. Fact is, every power conversion - gasoline to electricity, electricity to motion is always accomplished at a loss. Neither of these two losses are present to a significant degree in 'regular' gasoline powered cars so why not start there instead of generating more wasted heat. Just another example of the kooky thinking that passes for science nowadays.
Kooky? Not special? Hmm... Let's see...
The Prius is a PSD based series-parallel design, usually referred to as a full hybrid. Most (roughly 2/3rds IIRC) of the engine torque goes directly to the wheels, the rest does go from MG1-inverter-MG2 thus the speed difference between the 2 motor/generators sets the effective gear ratio. A regular cone-belt CVT has a high pressure hydraulic pump to push the cones/sheaves together and tension the belt. It has no torque converter and no normal clutch, it does have a dampener between the engine and trans that has a safety slip clutch sort of like the one on PTO driven farm equipment that only would slip is something on one side or the other suddenly locked up solid, this would keep MG1 from overspeeding and blowing apart if the engine were to seize at freeway speeds.
The engine (1NZ-FXE) has an offset crank so the rods push closer to straight down during the power strokes, this reduces the side load on the piston skirts which reduces friction AKA wear and losses.
The engine has a 13:1 physical compression/expansion ratio but the effective CR is lower and variable due to the intake valve timing, which is controlled by the VVTi, hence it is closer to the Atkinson/miller cycle than the Otto cycle.
The engine also turns much slower on the highway. A regular car has it clipping along at 3000RPM or higher @ 60 MPH to avoid downshifts, the Prius with its CVT-like PSD can cruise at less than 1500RPM because when you get to a hill it smoothly speeds up to meet demand.
And of course as a result even though the Echo and Yaris use essentially the same engine as the 97-09 Prius, just in conventional Otto cycle trim (lower CR, 1NZ-FE), and are smaller and lighter (subcompact VS midsize) they still get less MPG both city and highway.
But it's bigger than the Corolla, not to mention still gets better mileage than the Corolla.
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