2010 Prius same drag coefficient as original Insight

[joecvt]

Originally Posted by JoeMayers

Besides, if it has a lower aero coefficeint, it would get better gas mileage --- Simple math.

Sorry, dont believe it...... Joe Mayers

Lower drag coefficient doesn' always mean better MPG...Many other factors in engine design, weight and rolling resistance. For example, The manual transmission model Insight and the CVT model Insight have the same drag coefficient but the MT model gets better MPG due to higher compression ratio, higher horse power and torque, lean burn capabilities, less vehicle weight, different IMA assist level mappings, different tramission ratios and less friction power loss to "drive" the transmission.

JoeCVT = Just your average CVT owner

[Dougie]

Drag coefficient is not the same as drag. As mentioned above, you have to multiply the drag coefficient by the frontal area* to get a drag value that can be compared between cars. The Prius is quite a bit bigger than the Insight I and somewhat bigger than the Insight II, so the drag is higher--certainly higher than the Insight I and probably higher than the Insight II, but has anybody found the Insight II area number?

* Or some other representational area. It's more complicated than it looks.

[Manualonly]

The new Insight drag coeff is quoted at 0.28.

Source:
2010 Honda Insight vs. 2009 Toyota Prius Comparison Test and Video on Inside Line

[Brezel Fan]

Is the real world MPG greater for the Prius or the Insight? I have heard that while the official number for the new Prius is only a combined 41 MPG, some of the testers have reached 60 MPG without too much trouble. Can the same be said for the Prius? Does it get more MPG than the official 51 MPG in real world testing?

[jonnyvtec]

My colleague at work said they had a Insight in the MIRA wind tunnel here at the UK back in 2002, he says most cars are fudged and dont meet the OEM claims, but the standard Insight 1 measured at 0.24 Cd. I was trying to get the full report from the archives to see what they tried and tested, no doubt the skirts came off.

[Manualonly]

Originally Posted by Brezel Fan

Is the real world MPG greater for the Prius or the Insight? I have heard that while the official number for the new Prius is only a combined 41 MPG, some of the testers have reached 60 MPG without too much trouble. Can the same be said for the Prius? Does it get more MPG than the official 51 MPG in real world testing?

Yes, given the same driving condition, both I2 & P3 does achieve or exceed the advertised MPG rating in the real world.

[kip]

i remain very skeptical about Prius's real world numbers, ie, depending on terrain etc.
Several friends who've pushed their Prius' acceleration (which at least in an 2004 model was amazingly zippy), got terrible mileage.
OTOH, most toyotas do better than stated.. so ..by now they might be quite efficient.

Was just looking at safe and cheap cars for a teen driver and noticed the 2002 Passat has Drag Co. of .27, and final MPG of 30.15 in the 1.8 engine.

Will now look at new Beetle's numbers.

Sorry for the diversion.

(incidentally, a saab is too powerful for a teen, or i'd get an 2005 9-3.

[Cobb]

Most average prius owners I know get 47-53mpg.