How Slow IS the Prius? (Archive)

**Tideland Prius** · 09-08-2007, 11:07 PM

So.. we all know by now the two, rather high profile cases of speeding Priuses.

Of course, the general public thinks that they're slow.

But.. reading the archives of some magazines, you'll discover how different the perspective was back then. How they praised the Classic Prius for its quirky design and top-notch materials. How "[a]ccelerating away from a stop sign... generat[es] more than adequate power to join the traffic flow" despite having <100hp.

Of course what they don't have, they want and what we have, well.. they nitpick lol.

Anyway, I couldn't help but notice this paragraph.

"With 200 mind-numbing miles of interstate cutting an asphalt swathe through the tumbleweed-strewn desert, it was inevitable that an unofficial top-speed test would be conducted. Once firmly in the triple-digits, the large LCD speedometer rises slower than a Mt. Everest climber. Eventually the digital gauge reaches its peak at an impressive 164 kph, aka 102 mph. Before we could begin a little victory dance, a little turtle light illuminated, signalling low battery power. Perhaps we could make it for the 51st celebration."

Yeah... that's right.. 102mph in the OLD Prius.

Here's the full article

n8kwx · 09-09-2007, 04:22 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Sep 8 2007, 10:07 PM) [snapback]509346[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

So.. we all know by now the two, rather high profile cases of speeding Priuses.
Of course, the general public thinks that they're slow.
[/b]

Why don't people ask if a Hummer is fast enough to merge on the freeway? Or can a Tahoe keep up with traffic?

Some of those SUVs out there can't get out of their own way! Some are 11+ second (0-60) vechicles, some can't even hit 100!

donee · 09-09-2007, 07:43 AM

Hi N8KWX,

Yea, those SUV's are slow, but expecially on the highway ramps! Its not uncommon to see a line of 10 SUV's a hundred yards behind the car in front by the end of a ramp.

**Tideland Prius** · 09-09-2007, 12:56 PM

haha.. but what's amazing is that the new one is only a few mph faster than the old one.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 09-09-2007, 01:51 PM

My wife and I got stuck renting an Expedition once on vacation. We had to merge into traffic where there was no onramp. You round the cloverleaf and *bam* you're in traffic.

I screamed "floor it!"
She screamed "I am! I AM!!"
That thing had the acceleration potential of a small house.

We laugh about it now but we were scared out of our pants at the time.

bazineta · 09-09-2007, 02:59 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Sep 9 2007, 10:51 AM) [snapback]509623[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My wife and I got stuck renting an Expedition once on vacation. We had to merge into traffic where there was no onramp. You round the cloverleaf and *bam* you're in traffic.
[/b]

I was driving in Florida, and on one of the onramps there was an official DOT sign, which read "Short ramp, hit it running". Haven't seen anything like that elsewhere.

ranmandx · 09-10-2007, 12:02 AM

164km/h hmmmm i'm kind of thinking i should fix up my old jag. Back in the day hitting 180 wasn't difficult and quite quickly on my 5500lb boat of a car with a 4.2L straight six. It only has a 3 speed auto and was well tuned for the high speed accelleration. I haven't tried getting the prius to go fast but 140 was hit on one occasion it took a while though.

09-08-2007, 11:07 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	So.. we all know by now the two, rather high profile cases of speeding Priuses. Of course, the general public thinks that they're slow. But.. reading the archives of some magazines, you'll discover how different the perspective was back then. How they praised the Classic Prius for its quirky design and top-notch materials. How "[a]ccelerating away from a stop sign... generat[es] more than adequate power to join the traffic flow" despite having <100hp. Of course what they don't have, they want and what we have, well.. they nitpick lol. Anyway, I couldn't help but notice this paragraph. "With 200 mind-numbing miles of interstate cutting an asphalt swathe through the tumbleweed-strewn desert, it was inevitable that an unofficial top-speed test would be conducted. Once firmly in the triple-digits, the large LCD speedometer rises slower than a Mt. Everest climber. Eventually the digital gauge reaches its peak at an impressive 164 kph, aka 102 mph. Before we could begin a little victory dance, a little turtle light illuminated, signalling low battery power. Perhaps we could make it for the 51st celebration." Yeah... that's right.. 102mph in the OLD Prius. Here's the full article __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package as of 25th Oct 2004 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, OEM All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, EV Mod, JDM Prius Interior Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Integration Kit, LED licence plate lights, Phillips X-Treme Power H4 2008 smart fortwo passion coupé as of 28th Apr 2008 Fogs, dash pods, leather, rubber mats, Brabus handbrake, LED licence plate lights & dome lamp

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09-09-2007, 07:43 AM	#3
donee Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 1,460 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #2 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi N8KWX, Yea, those SUV's are slow, but expecially on the highway ramps! Its not uncommon to see a line of 10 SUV's a hundred yards behind the car in front by the end of a ramp.

09-09-2007, 12:56 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	haha.. but what's amazing is that the new one is only a few mph faster than the old one.

09-09-2007, 01:51 PM	#5
TonyPSchaefer Ruler of Omicron Persei 8 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 7,987 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 4 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 14	My wife and I got stuck renting an Expedition once on vacation. We had to merge into traffic where there was no onramp. You round the cloverleaf and bam you're in traffic. I screamed "floor it!" She screamed "I am! I AM!!" That thing had the acceleration potential of a small house. We laugh about it now but we were scared out of our pants at the time.

09-10-2007, 12:02 AM	#7
ranmandx Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 54 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	164km/h hmmmm i'm kind of thinking i should fix up my old jag. Back in the day hitting 180 wasn't difficult and quite quickly on my 5500lb boat of a car with a 4.2L straight six. It only has a 3 speed auto and was well tuned for the high speed accelleration. I haven't tried getting the prius to go fast but 140 was hit on one occasion it took a while though.