That has more to do with the CVT though, doesn't it?
Right, and the new hybrid system by Honda supposedly does away with the old metal band CVT and goes to an electric countertorque system like Toyota uses in the Prius. Hence it has a smoother electric-gas transition.
Is the 'electric countertorque system' the Planetary Gear Set?
Here is a great visual that shows the interaction between the gas and electric motor http://eahart.com/prius/psd/
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Rush
#1 - 2000 Silver #4965, not working now, 175k Miles, 61 LMPG - will probably turn into all Electric
#2 - 2000 Silver #4095, 212k Miles, 55 LMPG, OBDIIC&C by Peter, GCIM1 by Mike, New MaxIMA by Eli www.TucsonEV.com
Tucson AZ
Is the 'electric countertorque system' the Planetary Gear Set?
No. If Honda copied Prius directly they'd probably get sued, so they have the Atkinson engine and two motor/generators but not the gear set. Instead they have a direct drive system from the motor to the wheels (with clutches to introduce an extra "boost" from the engine as needed).
This news merely tells me I need to go stock-up on Insights because future Honda hybrids won't be worth buying. They'll be like Priuses (which I find dull & disconnected). Doubt we'll see anymore 70mpg wondercars either, like the insight or VW's diesel Lupo. Manufacturers seem satisfied with just 45-50 maximum.
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OWN: 61mpg Insight (greenercars.org score: 57)
both blue and silver,
and a 45mpg BeetleTDI (score: 47).
The dull and disconnected feeling of the Prius is a Toyota thing, not a hybrid or it's drivetrain thing.
The only other Toyota I've driven was an Echo (same body as the original Prius) and it didn't have that dull or disconnected feeling. In fact it was quite a fun car to drive. BUT the computer-driven prius 1, 2, and 3 felt like I was not in charge. The engine would randomly rev high for no apparent reason, or shutoff for no apparent reason. It was weird.
I prefer the IMA. It's an engine. With motor assist. It makes sense to me what it is doing, and let's me be in charge, so I can get really high MPG or sacrifice MPG for power/fun. It sounds like the new Atinson/motor/generator deal will take that away & be a computer-driven car (like prius).
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OWN: 61mpg Insight (greenercars.org score: 57)
both blue and silver,
and a 45mpg BeetleTDI (score: 47).
The only other Toyota I've driven was an Echo (same body as the original Prius) and it didn't have that dull or disconnected feeling. In fact it was quite a fun car to drive. BUT the computer-driven prius 1, 2, and 3 felt like I was not in charge. The engine would randomly rev high for no apparent reason, or shutoff for no apparent reason. It was weird.
I prefer the IMA. It's an engine. With motor assist. It makes sense to me what it is doing, and let's me be in charge, so I can get really high MPG or sacrifice MPG for power/fun. It sounds like the new Atinson/motor/generator deal will take that away & be a computer-driven car (like prius).
Ah, I see. I agree. I like IMA because of its "KISS" principles.
I have to admit that Toyota's system is pretty ingenious though.
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