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Prius Eco 58 MPG vs Prius 54 MPG - What's the difference?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Fuel Economy' started by cyclopathic, Nov 18, 2015.

  1. kgall

    kgall Active Member

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    I'm confused about the infrared blocking windshield. Is this on 2 eco only, or also the higher models? If not, is this because the new windshield has tradeoffs (e.g., more easily cracked)?
     
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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A car without a temporary spare is a deal breaker for me. There's no way I'm going to lay out big bucks for a new car, and then start cobbling together a spare and tool kit, likely something that'll encroach on space, and could become a lethal projectile in a crash.

    I believe on eco model only. And it'd likely be all the glass? It's intent is to reduce the work the AC has to do, with the aim to improve mpg.
     
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  3. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    It is a good question. Likely it is offered on all models above ECO, and it is more expensive ($30-40 more) but isn't any more susceptible to damage than non-tint.

    Gen3 air carrier sized dashboard had alot of solar gain, so it is a must have in my opinion.

    Funny how Toyota finds the way to spend $40 extra and charge $400 more for simple thing like this. Mitsubishi is putting IR windshield on $10,000 Mirage, so it can't be that expensive, right?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Infrared glass sure works on houses, coupled with UV shielding, double pane and thermal break, made a big improvement in comfort for ours.
     
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    What's the difference?

    Until proven otherwise I'm going with the "Keebler" answer.

    Elfin Magic.
     
  6. pmike

    pmike Member

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    "Once at El Toro, I looked curiously at the autocross course. Prius autocross? Really? My skepticism was further enhanced by a quick refresher lap of the course in a 2015 Prius. It was everything I remembered: slow, heavy steering, poor body control, bad brake pedal feel. Not fun. I opted to make my next lap in the least-sporty new Prius possible, the Prius Two Eco. Wow. There’s a night and day difference dynamically between the new car and the last one. For starters, the new chassis feels so much livelier than the old car’s. It can take the power (what little there is of it) and really put it down well. Steering is relatively precise, brake pedal feel is very good for a hybrid, and while flat-out acceleration will never be described as fast, it’s certainly good enough. Dare I say it: The new Prius really borders on fun. I took the sportiest-available Prius out for a lap after that, a Prius Four Touring. The night-and-day gap between the new Prius and the old widens even more here. The tires on the Prius Four have a touch more grip than those on the Two Eco, significantly improving the car’s performance through the autocross course."

    2016 Toyota Prius First Drive Review - Motor Trend
     
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  7. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    I hope this is the case. But once again there are members here who had taken Gen3 and Prius C to autocross and racetrack. Without major changes current generation can be made to handle, it is just that Toyota never gave a thought to it. And it is not just Prius, any Toyota (Yaris, Corolla, Camry, etc) outside of FR-S or defunc'ed Celica, Supra etc. Nothing which came from Nagoya to our shores in last 10 years.
     
  8. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    There is high performance glass in our 2010 Gen 3 windshield. I'd be surprised if this new glass is that much better. Has anyone found any technical data on it
     
  9. Gokhan

    Gokhan Senior Member

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    I think there would still be the nest and screw hole to secure the spare and the bracket to secure the jack -- you would just have to pay extra for them if you wanted them.

    The real reason for Eco not having the spare tire is not really to reduce the weight but to cut the cost increased by various MPG-enhancing features, such as the lithium-ion battery and, who knows, perhaps even some additional technology such as variable valve lift (Valvematic) in the engine.
     
  10. TonyWilkey

    TonyWilkey Member

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    New Slogan?
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's apparently not easy to retrofit a temp spare in the models without them: the hatch floor is lower, maybe a different part number as a consequence, there are different Styrofoam filler pieces below the floor. I'm sure it could be done, but it's not going to be cheap, and there's not a vacant spot sitting ready for the temp spare and tools.
     
  12. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Any idea when official EPA numbers will be published?
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    someone said epa just uses toy numbers. although 2016 has new rules.
     
    #73 bisco, Nov 25, 2015
    Last edited: Jan 5, 2016
  14. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    Valvematic is highly unlikely, otherwise Toyota would be bragging about it. And also in a Hybrid there would be minimal benefit from Valvematic, since engine is running at WOT almost all the time.
     
  15. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    What does this mean? There is no option such as that. Stop making things up :).

    Someone else mentioned Valvematic - again, thats not correct. There is no need to make make things up, all the specs are available.
     
  16. pmike

    pmike Member

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    Somebody will total a model with a spare and I am sure people will sell all the parts needed as a set.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yup. And then plasti-dip all the white porcelain interior and you're set. :D
     
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  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    colored duct tape.;)
     
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  19. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

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    Though official specs are not out yet you are right there is no mention of anything but VVT-i. The valvematic benefits will be limited on hybrid, but they are equally so on CVT car. You can program CVT to lower RPMs and run WOT as well as HSD does.
    Issue with current Gen3/Aqua ICE implementation that while VVT-i provides similar efficiency the optimal range is rather limited. So when RPMs get out of the range efficiency drops sharply. Valvematic more flexible and could provide considerable gain at say 80-85mph.
     
  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Assuming "valvematic" to mean variable-lift valves: I'd say their main benefit is to facilitate running an engine with lower lifting valves, accordingly with better fuel efficiency. The high lift gets all the attention, unduly so: it's only called on momentarily, say accelerating upgrade.