Top speed and mileage.

[The Tramp]

I don't think anybody ever did such a test......

Having had the need to cross Germany from Hannover to Strasbourg, and since germany is the only country with no speed limits, I took advantage to test the Prius to it's limit.

The distance between the two cities is just over 600 km (375 miles)which I covered in just over four hours.

The car can keep an electronically limited speed of 173 km/h (108 mph) and mileage varies between 8,5 l*100 km (27,6 mpg) and 8,9 l*100 km (26,4 mpg).

On a downhill I got a maximun of 175 Km/h (109.3 mph) as proven by this picture (taken by girlfriend)


I usually did uphill moderately, without engaging WOT mode, but on one hill I tried to push the car over the limit: Flat out the car was using both ICE and Battery, draining SOC at an alarming rate. I reached the top of the hill with SOC at 29%: Here's a picture taken with SOC at 1 bar:


Please note that the picture was taken on the downhill, and I was not accelerating. Nevertheless ICE was ON and draining 2,2 l*100 km (106 mpg) to charge the battery.

Finally, end of the trip, just outside the motorway:


7,0 l*100 (33.6 mpg) is the average of the whole trip, and you can also notice the 5 minute average in keeping top speed. The last bar with 150W recharged is when I slew down to exit the motorway.


Let's hear your comments!

[TonyPSchaefer]

I don't know if I believe you.
In fact, I'm on my way to Germany right now to test this for myself.

Seriously though. That's really cool to be able to put the Prius through the ringer like that. Did you get to pass anyone who looked shocked that they were being passed by a hybrid?
Thanks for the pictures. I can't believe your girlfriend was snapping pictures. If my wife were to let me drive that fast - she would never - she would be huddled in a ball in the passenger seat.

[hiremichaelreid]

So you were getting 7-9 L / 100km while driving over 100 mph ?

Seems pretty good to me for that speed. My 4000 lb car gets about 12.5L / 100km and thats keeping it to a max of about 80 mph. Perhaps it'd be about 20L / 100km at 100 mph or about 2 1/2 times your Prius.

What's your tire pressure ? Did the handling seem OK at 100+ mph ? My 4000 lb car (Stealth TT/AWD) can do 162 mph stock; I 've had it up to 140 mph or so and it was rock solid at that speed, but I presume the 245/45ZR performance tires helped a bunch.

[bwilson4web]

Excellent!

Your mileage is roughly in ratio to the lower drag to what I got with my 2003, NHW11 mileage at 160 km/hr (100 mph):

I would have gotten more data but I was running out of 'test track.'

24/27 ~= .26/.29 (reported coefficients of drag, assume same cross section)

Bob Wilson

[N3FOL]

I'll be so scared to hit 100 mph on my Prius. Honestly, I don't want to see my engine blow up in front of my eyes. At 100 mph, I'd rather be in a Porsche.

[JimboK]

Your numbers are remarkably close to those predicted by the Prius MPG Simulator. At 106 MPH (the highest setting), it predicts 27.5 MPG. Your average speed was 94 MPH (based on a 4-hour trip), at which the simulator predicts 33.7 MPG.

These assume outside air temp of 70F/21C, no winds, smooth dry pavement, no use of climate control, a 200#/91 kg load (occupant and cargo), and Goodyear Integritys inflated to 44/42 PSI. It also assumes level terrain, although according to a topo map you had about 400'/122 meters of net elevation gain. Makes me think you might have had a slight tail wind. A tail wind as light as 5 MPH would give you another 2 MPG at 106 MPH.

[drees]

The Prius has impressive fuel economy at those speeds. I think the only type of vehicle that could match it would be diesels, but only while emitting far more pollutants.

What's embarrassing is that the Prius at top speed matches the fuel economy of my other car (Subaru Impreza WRX) at normal speeds. At 100mph+ my Subaru would likely be averaging well under 20mpg.

[The Tramp]

Originally Posted by TonyPSchaefer

I don't know if I believe you.

In fact, I'm on my way to Germany right now to test this for myself.

You are not obliged! when you finish, do pop by in Turin and we'll chat over your findings.

Seriously though. That's really cool to be able to put the Prius through the ringer like that. Did you get to pass anyone who looked shocked that they were being passed by a hybrid?

Actually, no: Most people drive FAST. I overtook a Prius (the only one) at 90 mph. And free the fast lane that BMWs ane Mercs zip past at over 130.

Thanks for the pictures. I can't believe your girlfriend was snapping pictures. If my wife were to let me drive that fast - she would never - she would be huddled in a ball in the passenger seat.

Before taking off, I asked her opinion, and she said - Go for it! (I know you will not believe me) most of the time she was working off on the computer.

Originally Posted by hiremichaelreid

What's your tire pressure ?

3.2 front, 3.0 rear (BAR) Michelin Sport premacy (OEM) 195/55R16 with 10% left still.

Originally Posted by N3FOL

I'll be so scared to hit 100 mph on my Prius. Honestly, I don't want to see my engine blow up in front of my eyes. At 100 mph, I'd rather be in a Porsche.

I can't afford a Porsche. The engine does scream until you reach top speed, thet the limiter kicks in, the revs settle to 4500 (4000 if you are tailgating) and mileage goes up!

Originally Posted by JimboK

These assume outside air temp of 70F/21C, no winds, smooth dry pavement, no use of climate control, a 200#/91 kg load (occupant and cargo), and Goodyear Integritys inflated to 44/42 PSI. It also assumes level terrain, although according to a topo map you had about 400'/122 meters of net elevation gain. Makes me think you might have had a slight tail wind. A tail wind as light as 5 MPH would give you another 2 MPG at 106 MPH.

Yes, I did have a slight tail wind on fractions of the 600 km journey. But I also had hills to conquer, some were serious! Only after Frankfurt The road was flat and free to go flat out constantly.

Originally Posted by drees

The Prius has impressive fuel economy at those speeds. I think the only type of vehicle that could match it would be diesels, but only while emitting far more pollutants.

I'm not too sure. My father previous car (before HIS Prius ) was a VW Jetta 1.9 TDI 115 Hp. at 100 spot on it did 10 l*100 km (23.5 mpg). I did 27 mpg at 108!

[Sheepdog]

I dont think I ever need to do 108 in a Prius or any other car thank you. Im not wild about 70 even! Im getting old I guess.

You young folks enjoy it however! When I was young (sigh) I got my orange superbird (1970) to over 160 before a trooper found me and spoiled my day. man did he ever! If I had not been in uniform I might still be in that jail!!