Bets for weight of 2009 Prius?

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(clett @ May 21 2007, 08:07 AM) [snapback]446656[/snapback]</div>

Well switching from the NiMH battery chemistry to the Lithium one is going to save a good bit of weight or if they enlarge the battery and keep the same weight it will have a lot more capacity. Switching over to Lithium will also realize efficiency gains in conversion of the electrical and chemical energy between the motors and battery. Despite the benefits, lithium batteries still misbehave in spectacular fashion when they are not treated well and that's a problem for the accident scene. We'll see what Toyota does.

NiMH (20-80 Wh/kg)(66% charge/discharge efficiency)
LiIon / LiPoly (150 to 200Wh/kg)(99% charge/discharge efficiency)

[tinfoil]
The change to Lithium is also probably being pushed by the fact that Toyota got nailed with a 30million dollar lawsuit by Chevron over NiMH battery patents and production that Chevron took control of when they bought Texaco (who bought them from GM) a few years back. This is a big reason that the electric only RAV4 EV is no more... [/tinfoil]

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Platypus @ May 21 2007, 12:31 PM) [snapback]446711[/snapback]</div>

Bet: 1155 Kg

And I bet that with the reduced weight/increased efficiency the 09 Prius will accelerate to 50mph purely on electricity and will reach 50mph faster than this HSD Prius.

Ninety mpg city driving: Helllooooo dollie!!!

 

Consumer Guide had an article that thought the new Prius would be a 2010 introduced in 2009. I am pretty happy with my efficiency, and am a bit skeptical about wild claims. Energy needs to be consumed to move the thing. Already we see that if the Prius is driven in all electric mode and runs down the battery, it is less efficient to use the engine to recharge the battery than to use a combination, as the HSD does well. It may be better, may not, depending on the sacrifices needed to achieve those high numbers. Most people just don't want to drive slower and easier, which conflicts with efficiency big time. Already we see the Prius can get very high mpg's from some users, but a lot complain too. I am happy with it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Platypus @ May 21 2007, 09:31 AM) [snapback]446711[/snapback]</div>

Tinfoil? You're entirely too hard on yourself. These companies would drill for oil in your forehead if the ROI was right.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ May 21 2007, 02:45 PM) [snapback]446846[/snapback]</div>

I agree; any weight savings will be offset by the addition of more 'stuff,' a bigger engine, etc.