Car Talk Hybrid Zone goes live

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

I could be wrong too. And it seems like we may have a difference of opinion on what constitutes a 'significant change'.

 

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

Check the same site for 2007 models.

 

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

If emissions and climate change are mentioned, I'm listening, and so are MANY people wanting to lower their carbon footprint. Prius does both: use less, pollute less. We all live and breathe in the same way on the same planet. We all are affected by each other's pollution choices. some get it, others don't. It IS a requirement to mention it for the good of all.

 

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

<AHEM>
Neither of these older guys owns or drives a hybrid that I can tell. Technically, they are like many of us were when we first got our hybrids and were scraping the bottom of the Google barrel to find facts and data. Then we discovered each other, ran our own tests, and learned to 'live' hybrids.

So I put them in this set of web sites:

• Edmunds - has a 'hard on' against the Prius for reasons not yet figured out.
• Cars.com - got a clue, at least honest, but not a real advocate
• Consumer Reports - got tired of their Prius members pointing out when their math was wrong ... not great Prius fans but they can't deny five years of Prius being the top ranked car
• Motorweak - hahahahahahaha
• Click and Clack - sometimes right but never much malice

So I look at them as starting a long journey while still trying to make a living in a world that is 98% non-hybrids. They have started so let's be considerate and give them some latitude. Offer them our best insights, an education, without 'Lording it over them is the best approach.' ... After all, many of us used to resemble those guys, BP (Before Prius.)

Bob Wilson

 

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

45 and 45 for revised-2008 EPA. 51 and 51 for original EPA sticker. Still looks the same to me.

After the new improved 2010 Prius is available nationwide, and the non-improved 2010 Civic hits the market too, then you may have a claim. But not yet.

And while average drivers will certainly do better in the new model, the hypermilers are having serious questions about whether the new Prius can beat the old one, or the Civic, on their terms.

 

Hi All,

I am with Click and Clack on the opinion that all cars will eventually have auto-stop, and most will implement that with a single electric machine for the starting and alternator functions (AKA BAS Hybrid). You take an alternator, throw in some magnets and a inverter/controller and a small NiMH battery and voila, auto-stop.

The cost should be able to be similar to the present system , plus the cost of the inverter. And as this is a much lower power system than in a Prius, the inverter probably going to be in the low $100's in mass production.

Ya gotta ask, "Why did GM not make all of the Malibu's this way?".

 

Re: Click and Clack on Hybrids

My bad, I was thinking of the 2005 models. The older generation HCH got 2 MPG less than the Prius. Now, the current gen HCH is getting 3 MPG less than 2010 Prius on the highway. Will the next gen HCH be able to catch up and match? Remember, Prius is the bigger car with larger frontal area.

For MPG extremists, a smaller lighter hybrid with skinnier tires would be idea. The fact that a mainstream mid-size, features loaded, rock solidly built Prius can get as good extreme MPG is the testament of the HSD superiority.

 

If click and clack ever sit down to actually understand the HSD they will thankfully correct this clap and trap. Until then I'll ignore what they have to say about hybrids.

 

I read a couple of years ago an article from Toyota that promised all their cars would have auto-stop. Oddly, especially considering my general very low opinion of all things GM, I think the BAS mild hybrid Malibu will become the lowest common denominator of every car not a full hybrid.

If it doesn't, we will have to blame the idiotic current EPA testing methods that have tried to normalize lead-foot driving instead of trying to educate the populace that gassing to a red light is stupid.

 

I agree they to talk about lower emissions more. Far too many people autoamtically flip their lid, or lose interest when emissions are mentioned and consider only CO2 when thinking of emissions. Especially those of the conservative persuasion or those too tied into climate change..... People need to think about CO2, CO, PM, SOx, NOx, VOCs and the other emissions associated with burning large amounts of fossil fuels through an ICE. This crap is bad for health, economy and the environment (included agriculture).