New Tech vs Old Tech, which yields the best FE?
This was sort of an accidental experiment, but I will post the results anyway. Today is take your kids to work day, so I had to take the Prius.
In one corner, the 1993 Honda Del Sol, 2400 lbs with passenger and cargo, $5000. In the other corner, a 2004 Prius, 3200 lbs with passengers and cargo, $24,000. Conditions were mid 40'sF and dry, the route was my daily route to work, no one on my tail, and made all of the critical lights, exactly the same conditions for my drive to work on 4/18/06 with the Del Sol. The results...... 1993 Honda Del Sol, 71.1 MPG 2004 Toyota Prius, 72.5 MPG One note of interest, the Prius is much more sensitive to ambient temps than the Del Sol. If the temp was above 70F, the Prius would have been 10 MPG higher. The Del Sol would only get 1 or 2 more. So for approx 8 months of the year, the Prius and Del Sol would get nearly the same FE. During the other 4 months, generally during the Summer, the Prius shines. Now if I need to carry more than 2 passengers, well, my choice would be Prius at 72.5 or the Outback at 33. No brainer. |
new technology is better
new technology is better it's just that the manufacturers aren't trying to make a car like they used to.
Also newer cars have more crap in them and weigh a lot more than older cars. The technology has always been there for a regular gasolene engine car 50mpg right out of the factory. |
Re: New Tech vs Old Tech, which yields the best FE?
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Re: New Tech vs Old Tech, which yields the best FE?
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All cars should show gains as temp rises due to lower frictional losses in the drivetrain and tires as well as less dense air/ less aero drag. |
Were your driving techniques
Were your driving techniques exactly the same? Do you do engine-off for coasting with the Prius as well?
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Re: Were your driving techniques
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At speeds over 41, the Prius engine must (has to do with overspeeding the MG sets if it doesnt) run so the Del Sol wins for engine off coasting at higher speeds. |
Stops and Starts
I'm thinking that if you were to, say, hit every light red, then the Prius would probably win-out with the electric motor doing most of the work, especially if forced-to. Out on the open highway, I'd put my money on the Del Sol, but if stops are required in high numbers, then the "New Tech" takes over and wins. But also consider that "New Tech" also employs better, built-in aero mods than "old-tech". The newer technology is still in its infancy, so I can see it getting better with time and demand. Even first-year Insights are going for $10,000 with over 120K miles - because of the gas situation looking grim.
RH77 |
Two more Questions:
Does the Prius have an Engine Block Heater (I know it has a thickly insulated coolant storage tank), and
Do you have a Hot Air Intake system available for it (I assume it uses IAT for it's operating characteristics or is there a separate thermometer)? RH77 |
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The drive home was 72.4MPG
The drive home was 72.4MPG at 68F, dry roads. The best drive home with the Del Sol was 65.8 MPG at 66F, dry roads. So you can see the Prius widens the gap in the warmer temps. My best ever trip home with the Prius was 78 MPG at 90F, dry roads. Best drive to work was 83 MPG at 70F, dry roads.
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