What did we learn from the Chief Engineer?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

The question I got to ask was about grill-blocking. I suggested the Prius seemed to have excess cooling capacity, particularly for some climates at certain times of the year. I asked if there was any thought given to thermostat-controlled louvers on the air intakes, which would lower the aerodynamic drag and improve the cabin heating and the mileage. I got the impression he'd love to be able to do something like that, but cost considerations pretty much ruled it out.

Perhaps it's time for me to design an after market package.

Tom

[JSH]

Originally Posted by bruceha_2000

Bummer. I CAN NOT believe it would cost more to make thermostatically controlled louvers than to stick a sun/moon roof on it. No concerns about water leakage, no 'tight tolerance' for windage when closed. No 'pop up / slide back' design and motor issues. No lost head room

The 'deciders' at Toyota just have not yet been convinced there are a LOT of people who could benefit from such a system. Do they know how many people are strapping pipe insulation over the lower grill and stuffing it into the upper grill?? Probably a good number of the 'special invitees' at the show. I suspect I could foam the entire engine compartment tonight (other than engine air intake) and not have it over heat tomorrow, it is supposed to be -17F.

The difference is a large portion of car buyers will pay extra to get a moonroof. How many even know about blocking the grill for quicker warmup and better fuel economy. How many people would be willing to pay for such a feature? Not many.

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by jhinton

The difference is a large portion of car buyers will pay extra to get a moonroof. How even know about blocking the grill for quicker warmup and better fuel economy. How many people would be willing to pay for such a feature? Not many.

Exactly. Suppose this was an optional feature that had a product cost of $50, so Toyota charged $200 MSRP. How many members here would bitch & moan, saying they could go to Home Depot and buy pipe insulation for $5.

[edmcohen]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

The question I got to ask was about grill-blocking. I suggested the Prius seemed to have excess cooling capacity, particularly for some climates at certain times of the year. I asked if there was any thought given to thermostat-controlled louvers on the air intakes, which would lower the aerodynamic drag and improve the cabin heating and the mileage. I got the impression he'd love to be able to do something like that, but cost considerations pretty much ruled it out.

There was a period in the late nineteen twenties when many cars had thermostatically (or manually) controlled louvres in front of their radiators. Cadillacs ca. 1930 had these. Something like that would make a great after-market accessory for the Prius.

[hyo silver]

Originally Posted by bruceha_2000

...The 'deciders' at Toyota just have not yet been convinced there are a LOT of people who could benefit from such a system...

Everyone would benefit. Toyota could advertise even better mileage and efficiency, lower emissions, faster cabin heating...and, moveable aerodynamic devices are really cool. Or hot, in this case.

[x1234]

Wouldn't stopping water pump have same effect? The pump is electric...

[Rokeby]

x1234,

In case it was missed; Welcome to PriusChat.

I suspect trying to control engine heat with the electric water pump could lead
to localized hot spots at the top of the cylinders/head.

That sounds a somewhat risky.

qbee42,

Yes, by all means, see what you can come up with, I'll be one of the first in line.

[Mike Dimmick]

Originally Posted by hyo silver

The question I got to ask was about grill-blocking. I suggested the Prius seemed to have excess cooling capacity, particularly for some climates at certain times of the year. I asked if there was any thought given to thermostat-controlled louvers on the air intakes, which would lower the aerodynamic drag and improve the cabin heating and the mileage. I got the impression he'd love to be able to do something like that, but cost considerations pretty much ruled it out.

It's standard equipment on all new BMWs excluding the Z4 roadster and the 'M' series cars, and 'M Sport' models of the regular cars. See BMW's EfficientDynamics microsite, and the Standard Equipment section. They call it 'Active Aerodynamics'.

It's not impossible and it's certainly not ridiculously expensive.

BMW are actually trying, a bit, although within the bounds of conventional spark petrol engines and diesel engines. Anything BMW calls a hybrid is just a mild hybrid with auto start/stop. (Now standard on 1 and 3 series, which also have electric power steering.)

[Zhentar]

Originally Posted by bruceha_2000

I suspect I could foam the entire engine compartment tonight (other than engine air intake) and not have it over heat tomorrow, it is supposed to be -17F.

I've covered up half my radiator with cardboard. I'll be lucky if the auto A/C turns the heat up to medium before I finish my drive home tonight.

[carz89]

Originally Posted by jhinton

The difference is a large portion of car buyers will pay extra to get a moonroof. How many even know about blocking the grill for quicker warmup and better fuel economy. How many people would be willing to pay for such a feature? Not many.

I agree with you 100%. But here's another approach: Toyota could have included thermostatically-controlled grill louvers as standard equipment (ie - not an option), with a resultant boost to overall MPG, just like they did with exhaust gas recirc. What if Toyota didn't include EGR, with some smart PC enthusiasts subsequently wishing for EGR as an "option". You could say the masses wouldn't understand its usefulness and wouldn't buy it.

Perhaps Gen 4 Prius will have the thermostatically-controlled grill louvers. But until then, this is a prime opportunity for an after-market accessory. For $200, I'd buy one, even if it was manually-controlled.