Top Speed

a64pilot · 10-01-2009, 10:52 AM

Funny thing is, 108 isn't that fast, I've been much faster and sustained speeds on the Autobahn. 108 would be insane on city streets, but your in the right lane on the Autobahn, so blanket statements like over 100 MPH in a Prius is asking for a Darwin award may not be correct. I think I may have had mine to 60, I don't see the point either, but to say someone is irresponsible and reckless without having any of the facts isn't a fair statement.

rrolff · 10-01-2009, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioprius1

Wow. You took a Prius, with some luggage, and 4 passengers and went 108 mph? Are you trying for a Darwin award? Or did you simply hate all 4 passengers and wanted to kill them?

If you are going to drive recklessly, do it on a closed road with only you in the car.

Some people...

Funny - it is a very safe car, and when on the Autobahn (which ironically is crazy speed controlled for much of it), there should be no issues. If Toyota designs a car that goes 112MPH, then it better do just that - and safely.

A while back auto manufacturers started electronically limiting speeds to match the tires. I believe today, most high end cars are rated around 149. I had a 1990 BMW 750 that would do 165 - I think around 1992 they (BMW/Mercedes) changed the top speeds. Funny thing - it would hit 165, and just stay there (no hesitation - almost like cruise control). I kept Z rated tires on that car - and they always lasted exactly 12,000 miles (ouch).

Tire ratings - what they mean
Q- Up to 100mph
R- Up to 106mph
S- Up to 112mph
T- Up to 118mph

U- Up to 124mph
H- Up to 130mph
V- Up to 149mph

W- Up to 168mph
Y- Up to 186mph
Z- 149mph and up

Tech_Guy · 10-01-2009, 11:25 AM

If some of you guys think that driving 108 mph with both hands on the wheel and 100% focused on driving is dangerous, just try driving 65 mph while talking on a cell phone or texting. Now that scares the shit out of me! (Here in the Silicon Valley I see that being done every day - which is the main reason I don't ride my motorcycle very much in this urban area.)

Keith

a priori · 10-01-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech_Guy

If some of you guys think that driving 108 mph with both hands on the wheel and 100% focused on driving is dangerous, just try driving 65 mph while talking on a cell phone or texting.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Exactly!!

I would add: Trying to take a right turn on red while smoking and talking on a cell phone -- saw it attempted just the other day. Imagine how unsafe that is for the cars headed into that intersection at 45mph? On the autobahns you have plenty of clear vision and no crossroads.

sleewa · 10-01-2009, 12:57 PM

Saw someone driving an old Subaru on I-5 while playing a soprano sax. Never seen this before - hope to never see it again!

radiocycle · 10-01-2009, 01:00 PM

Well, there's this one:

YouTube - Landspeed Prius Race

Tad Moody · 10-01-2009, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by radioprius1

Wow. You took a Prius, with some luggage, and 4 passengers and went 108 mph? Are you trying for a Darwin award? Or did you simply hate all 4 passengers and wanted to kill them?

If you are going to drive recklessly, do it on a closed road with only you in the car.

Some people...

Driving too fast for the CONDITIONS, heavy traffic, weather, etc. is reckless. Backing out of a driveway without looking for pedestrians or kids is reckless. Texting, daydreaming, yammering on the phone is reckless. Street racing is reckless. My mother driving ANYWHERE is reckless. "Cogito, ergo Zoom" : "I THINK, therefore I go fast."

Pure speed is not "reckless".

a64pilot · 10-01-2009, 02:11 PM

Before anybody says the 130 MPH Prius was nothing, it takes HP to go fast. The model of my Wife's car only went 217 with 1100 HP and it's 400Hp stock level get's it to 165 MPH, so to get 50 more MPH, you have to almost triple the HP.

YouTube - Cadillac CTS Breaks Speed Record In 2004 With 1100 HP

So, 130 is impressive, considering.

PriusLewis · 10-01-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Before anybody says the 130 MPH Prius was nothing, it takes HP to go fast. The model of my Wife's car only went 217 with 1100 HP and it's 400Hp stock level get's it to 165 MPH, so to get 50 more MPH, you have to almost triple the HP. So, 130 is impressive, considering.

Absolutely! If you read the Road and Track article, you will find that the Prius broke the current record for 1500 cc sedans. Of course, thye Prius has a couple hundred foot pounds of torque added in the form of electric motors, making the comparison a bit academic. But, still and all, it is interesting that an esentially stock car designed for economy beat a car with unlimited restrictions regarding naturally-aspirated engine build-up (the hot rod VW that currently holds the record).

All of which has me wondering if an Echo could be set up to take that record. We're headed to Speed Week in 2010 and were wondering if we were going to compete or watch. Hmmm....

RoyalBlue · 10-02-2009, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrolff

The car should be speed limited at a minimum to the tire rating (mine came with Yokohama Avid S33's 195 65R15. S rated speed to 112MPH. I would highly doubt Toyota would allow its car to go faster than the tire rating (in fact, I'd bet on that one )

My Prius came with Toyo Proxes R30 215/45R17 87W tires. The "W" means that the tire is specified for 270km/h, not bad for a car with a max. speed of 180km/h

10-01-2009, 10:52 AM	#21
a64pilot Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Albany Ga. Posts: 732 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: N/A Thanks: 19 Thanked 45 Times in 40 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Top Speed Funny thing is, 108 isn't that fast, I've been much faster and sustained speeds on the Autobahn. 108 would be insane on city streets, but your in the right lane on the Autobahn, so blanket statements like over 100 MPH in a Prius is asking for a Darwin award may not be correct. I think I may have had mine to 60, I don't see the point either, but to say someone is irresponsible and reckless without having any of the facts isn't a fair statement.

10-01-2009, 11:25 AM	#23
Tech_Guy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Silicon Valley, Ca. Posts: 522 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: N/A Package: N/A Thanks: 113 Thanked 29 Times in 25 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Top Speed If some of you guys think that driving 108 mph with both hands on the wheel and 100% focused on driving is dangerous, just try driving 65 mph while talking on a cell phone or texting. Now that scares the shit out of me! (Here in the Silicon Valley I see that being done every day - which is the main reason I don't ride my motorcycle very much in this urban area.) Keith

10-01-2009, 12:57 PM	#25
sleewa Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 19 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: II Package: No Package Thanks: 9 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Top Speed Saw someone driving an old Subaru on I-5 while playing a soprano sax. Never seen this before - hope to never see it again!

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