2010 Torque is 104 vs 2009's Torque is 295?

[hschen]

I saw review said that 2009 Prius has 2 electric motors that can generate an huge 295 in torque. 2010 is only spec'ed at 104? What's story?

[qbee42]

With the 2010 MG2 is geared. The new MG2 spins at a higher speed, allowing for more torque and power at the wheels, while having less torque itself.

Tom

[hschen]

Originally Posted by qbee42

With the 2010 MG2 is geared. The new MG2 spins at a higher speed, allowing for more torque and power at the wheels, while having less torque itself.

Tom

Sorry for my ignorance. What's MG2?

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by hschen

Sorry for my ignorance. What's MG2?

MG2 is Motor-Generator 2, which is the main electric motor in a Prius. MG1 is a smaller motor/generator which is used principally to spin the engine (ICE), or keep the engine from spinning.

When you look at the total torque for a Prius, you are mostly looking at MG2 and the ICE. It gets a bit more complicated when you look at the details, since a portion of the ICE's power is always sent through MG2, but on the surface you can think of MG2 and the ICE each pushing the car forward.

As for gearing and torque, gearing can amplify torque while reducing speed, or the other way around. A small, very fast engine can produce the same power as a slow, large engine. If a lot of torque is needed, the small fast engine will need to be geared down, which is like driving in a lower gear. That's what is happening with the new 2010: MG2 is smaller and faster. Overall it is more powerful, but it gets its power through speed and not torque. The gearing converts this speed to useful torque.

The long and the short of it is that the 2010 has a more powerful electric motor.

Tom

[efusco]

MG=Motor Generator
MG2 is the main drive motor and main regenerative motor in one.
MG1 is connected to the ICE and acts as the 'starter' for the ICE and the generator to feed energy to the battery.

[Tideland Prius]

We thought it was a typo too but it turns out because of the larger 1.8 litre, it doesn't need to put out as much torque so the MG2 could be made smaller and lighter.

[ken1784]

As Tom posted, the 2010 MG2 is now geared.
The absolute torque comparison means nothing.
Following is a copy of my post.
-----
Gen2:295lb-ft(MG2 torque) X 4.113(final gear ratio) = 1213lb-ft(torque at wheels)
Gen3:153lb-ft(MG2 torque) X 2.636(reduction gear ratio) X 3.267(final gear ratio) = 1318lb-ft(torque at wheels)

Ken@Japan

[qbee42]

Originally Posted by ken1784

As Tom posted, the 2010 MG2 is now geared.
The absolute torque comparison means nothing.
Following is a copy of my post.
-----
Gen2:295lb-ft(MG2 torque) X 4.113(final gear ratio) = 1213lb-ft(torque at wheels)
Gen3:153lb-ft(MG2 torque) X 2.636(reduction gear ratio) X 3.267(final gear ratio) = 1318lb-ft(torque at wheels)

Ken@Japan

I'm going to repost this over and over, while jumping up and down screaming. This is a simple mechanical concept.



Tom

[snead_c]

Originally Posted by qbee42

I'm going to repost this over and over, while jumping up and down screaming. This is a simple mechanical concept.



Tom

This is a simple mechanical concept.
This is a simple mechanical concept.
This is a simple mechanical concept.
This is a simple mechanical concept.

[usbseawolf2000]

Gen2: 295 lbs-ft (no SRU)
Gen3: 403 lbs-ft with SRU

SRU - Speed Reduction Unit