Posted by Ray O on May 5, 2006, 7:49 pm
> yeah, I wonder what the corporate image makers were thinking with that
> name? Is it supposed to suggest anything at all?
> The only association that 'Prius' brings to my mind is 'Priapus', but
> maybe that's just me?
According to the faq section of Toyota's web site, "Prius" is derived from
the Latin prefix meaning "to go before"
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
Posted by Diako on May 6, 2006, 12:16 am
> According to the faq section of Toyota's web site, "Prius" is derived from
> the Latin prefix meaning "to go before"
No prefix, in fact. Prius is a Latin adverb meaning "earlier", "before",
"previously", "first" or an adjective with a similar meaning: "leading",
"preceding", "previous", "earlier", "ahead", "in front".
Diako
Posted by mailman on May 6, 2006, 1:18 am
On Thu, 4 May 2006 16:09:42 -0500, "Ray O"
>>
>>
>>>
>>> I think the biggest drawback to a hybrid diesel is cost. Both the diesel
>>> powerplant and hybrid power plant cost more than a conventional gasoline
>>> (etrol) engine so a diesel hybrid would have a double cost disadvantage
>>> to
>>> overcome.
>>
>> I would speculate that one problem with a diesel hybrid would be the
>> extra power needed to crank the engine, remembering that this will
>> happen quite frequently in a hybrid. This may mean more batteries
>> (and hence weight) and a heavier engine anyway, meaning that the
>> engine will need to run more frequently than it would in a petrol
>> powered hybrid.
>>
>A hybrid already has extra batteries so having the power to crank a diesel
>is not a problem. The hybrid controller would have to be programmed a
>little differently to allow for the additional power needed to crank a
>hybrid engine.
>> The hybrids that I have seen have clearly been designed to minimise
>> weight, even perhaps compromising braking and cornering performance by
>> fitting narrower tyres. With present technology, it is even possible
>> that the extra weight required by a diesel engine would cancel out the
>> gain in fuel economy compared to a petrol engine.
>>
>A diesel engine doesn't weigh THAT much more than a petrol engine. A diesel
>hybrid is technically feasible but it is not necessarily something that a
>consumer would pay 2 premiums for. There is a premium to build a diesel
>powerplant and there is a premium for a hybrid system, and it is unlikely
>that a consumer would pay over $,000 more for a diesel hybrid.
>As I mentioned before
>> The one thing that would really make hybrids irresistable would be a
>> means of charging the batteries from the mains. That way, even less
>> fuel would be burned (at least by the car). But I doubt the oil
>> companies would allow that to happen.
>>
>There are a lot of totally ridiculous conspiracy theories floating around
>that the oil companies control the technology that goes into consumer
>vehicles. Since consumers buy a lot more cars than oil companies, the
>automakers have a lot more to gain by producing something consumers want
>than what oil companies want.
>Again, the factors that make charging the batteries from household current
>are practical;
>- the hybrid system has the capacity to charge the batteries as necessary so
>an additional power source is not needed with the current battery capacity.
>- Adding additional battery capacity costs more money to build, adds weight
>to the vehicle, and reduces cargo and/or passenger space in the vehicle.
>Some enterprising do-it-yourselfers have fitted external chargers and
>additional battery packs at a cost roughly equal to the cost of the hybrid
>vehicle and they have had to use all of the cargo space in the car to do it.
A coupl points to be added to the above.
The life of the batteries I know they are specially made given a standard
battery life is 3-4 years. The cost of replacement plus warranty period
(this may be seperate). Are they ( battery) recyclable.
Like all cars they will at some point will required repair /service and
the cost of this service ????????
Yandoit Australia
*
* *
+ "A poor excuse is like an old bucket; doesn't matter
what shape it's in, as long as it holds water"
*
PK Shaw
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Posted by Bill on May 6, 2006, 1:52 am
> A coupl points to be added to the above.
> The life of the batteries I know they are specially made given a standard
> battery life is 3-4 years.
Expected life of Prius battery exceeds 10 years.
The cost of replacement plus warranty period (this may be seperate).
Who knows? None have been replaced yet. I heard the price has dropped
considerably.
Are they ( battery) recyclable.
Yes.
> Like all cars they will at some point will required repair /service and
> the cost of this service ????????
Like all cars, that depends on what needs to be serviced and where the
service is performed.
Posted by Peter Chant on May 4, 2006, 9:16 pm
Martin Dixon wrote:
> The hybrids that I have seen have clearly been designed to minimise
> weight, even perhaps compromising braking and cornering performance by
> fitting narrower tyres. With present technology, it is even possible
> that the extra weight required by a diesel engine would cancel out the
> gain in fuel economy compared to a petrol engine.
I saw an article where a Westfield (or possibly a Caterham) that was
unmodified except for special wheels / tyres, achived over 100mpg with a K
series engine.
Not sure I'd want to drive it on the public roads with those tyres, in the
photo they made 2CV wheels look low profile and sporty!
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> name? Is it supposed to suggest anything at all?
> The only association that 'Prius' brings to my mind is 'Priapus', but
> maybe that's just me?