Fuel prices

I think I'd like to be indexed to copper, now selling as scrap for $9K per
tonne.

Theo

 

The real strength of the Prius is the infinitely variable transmission
that allows the engine to be optimised for a narrow power band, and to
sit in that band under most driving conditions.
The addition of motor-generators to this transmission, given the way
it works, is simplistic, but it could run without the electrics
(substitute a clever braking system to the planetary carrier, for
example) with some, but not much, loss in fuel efficiency.
I really think that the addition of the expensive electrics is more of
a marketing ploy at the moment, but I also believe that the electrics
will become cheaper eventually, and when that happens, we will begin
to see real economics rater than the potential economics that are
there now.

 

I think the 179 claimed 118 hp.

But neither of those are grey motors

And as old tech as the early red motors are now... at the time they were
a huge step forward.


G-S

 

And this is the reason that the motoring journo's have named the VE as the car of the
year

 

I was told this by a rep from the local Toyota dealer's service
department on a visit to examine them for road accident rescue purposes.


I have no reason to doubt him.

 

Start looking, there is already a diesel bike, been out for a few years

 

Even if your life expectancy claim were true (and I doubt if it is for
today's engines), the life of an engine is pretty much irrelevant to
the service life of a modern car. Most will be back to the recycler
before the engine expires, and in some countries (eg Japan) long, long
before.

Most diesels, and particularly the ones that used to last longer, are
also 50% heavier than their petrol equivalents (performance wise).
Since the materials used and the manufacturing processes are much the
same, then logically the manufacturing emissions will be 50% higher
for zero gain in the service life of the car

The fact is that the Australian Government's 'Green Vehicle Guide'
rates them on a combination of environmental criteria. The example
you provided, or any other diesel, doesn't make the top 50 (and
probably not the top 100 either) under their criteria.

 

Same as the 2.6L 161 then.

 

How does that work then. I don't produce anything. I don't bring any money
to the business. My job entails spending most of the money. And yet they pay
me (actually I pay me).

Theo
Maybe I'm part of the unreal world.

 

But more than the last 3.3L 202.

Theo

 

[...]

Not sure if we are talking about the same thing here, but I guess it's
near enough for jazz. The Prius transmission is a simple planetary
system where the engine input is via the sun wheel and the output is
via the planetary group. The electric motor/generator is attached to
the ring gear and provides resistance or additional power to the ring
gear depending on the demands of the driver and the state of the
battery. This is transferred to the planetary group and via the
computer, the engine management system adjusts the engine input
accordingly. In theory, this allows the engine to operate in its most
economical range at all times. In practice the battery capacity is not
great enough for this, so the engine range is a bit broader than
optimum. That same management system allows the vehicle to perform
normally even when the battery is flat, by braking the motor/generator
according to demand. Oh, and yes, there is a second motor/generator
behind the gearbox that either boosts the drive or charges the battery
during coasting or braking.
Not a bad system, as I said previously, and with plenty of room for
development as battery technology gets better.
Just before anyone jumps in here, I repeat that I am not saying that
he Prius (or its clones) is viable economically or environmentally.
All I'm saying is that it is a clever system with plenty of potential.

 

uh-oh, another dialogue fucked by the appearance of the village
idiot..........

 

The Diesel Enfield motorbike has way to much speed and power for you George!


G-S

 

Only the low compression 161 was that low... the high compression
version (like the one in the LC GTR) was 114.


G-S

 

Nah... like a model T Ford... only 1 colour

Sure


G-S

 

Heh - you might be right.
Certainly the basic principles have been around for longer than I've
been alive...

Mr H ...and that's a bloody long time!

 

Perhaps, but most people would be able to distinguish between it and dog
shit.

 

Well... dog shit does smell slightly less bad I admit.


G-S

 

Yes, can't handle any more power than a Zundapp can produce

 

So that they use less fuel isn't relevant to you?
The thing that amazes me about the diesl/petrol environmental impact is that
it is pretty irrelevant environmentally speaking. What we should be going on
about is coal.

Theo
trying to hide new 4wd turbo-diesel ute in the car-park.