I wondered about that also. Obviously they can't change the ratio which is what determines the response as far as I am concerned. I suppose they could change the amount of power assist provided by the electric motor but what would be "more responsive" more or less assist? The whole thing sounds like a bunch of marketing BS to me, but I could be wrong.
I put it in Power Mode to pass them. I'm not from the Saprano's, so I don't literally, "Take them out!" LOL
The system can change the amount of torque the motor applies to give more or less road feel, depending on sensor inputs.
OK thanks, I would like to try one. I assume more road feel would equate to less torque. My old Honda Prelude had a similar system (hydraulic not electric of course) the power steering gradually went away between about 20 and 25 MPH, above 25 there was no power steering at all. Probably the best driving car I have ever owned.
I conducted some tests, or at least tried to, today to find out if Power Mode really does draw more current from the battery under full throttle than the other modes. The main thing I discovered is that the ScanGauge is not of much value for this test. It updates about once every two seconds which is way to slow to find peak current. Maximum current seems to occur at 0 mph when you first put your foot down and the ScanGauge can't read that with any accuracy. From all the tests I ran it would seem to be around 125 to 130 Amps, I did see one reading of 134 Amps. I could tell no difference between the different modes. The only way to know if Power Mode really does have more power is to check it on a dyno or perhaps multiple runs using an accelerometer or maybe a stop watch. I think it is likely we were given accurate information by the Prius people from Toyota who posted on here for a while. They told us the only performance difference between modes was the pedal mapping and full throttle was the same regardless of mode. I also think it is highly unlikely that Toyota would reduce performance in any mode. When people put their foot to the floor they want and expect all the car can provide, to provide less could result in legal action which Toyota would want to avoid.
After PC explained to me that Prius have 650V in all modes I asked Toyota technican (Toyota Motor Poland) about modes difference. He told me that Prius as CT200h have 500V on ECO and Normal and 650V on PWR. I don't see any way to check it out except accelerometer test runs. I don't see any point why Toyota could be sued for lower performance in ECO/Normal modes as long as they are default ones with PWR as optional. The same as with disabling VSC on some modes. As long as it is re-enabled after power on it makes no problem. In PWR engine don't turn off as fast as in other modes. This makes response much faster. Car don't have to wait for engine to start up. It idles very often. Lexus remaps VSC settings (less intrusive), gives EPS less power making it much more "direct" and set 650V output (a bit more torque). The same is in Alfa Romeo Giulietta. (D)ynamic mode of DNA was for long time optional and reversed to (N)ormal after restart. D mode was the only one with overboost on the turbo-charger so highest engine output was only available on that mode. Alfa Romeo 159 diesel had some engine security systems to prevent in from damage. When engine is cold turbo boost is limited and power output is cut down at about 3000 - 3500 RPM. When engine was hot limiter was much higher, at about 4500 RPM (red-line) and no-one sued them for that. Hybrid system always can give 100 PS - all ICE power can generate. All above is a bonus from battery. When it is cold or hot, after long high power demand total output power is limited and hybrid users must accept it.
I was thinking that in the unlikely event someone actually needed full power to get out of the way of something there would not be time to fumble around looking for the Power Mode button. Also most drivers would not know of the difference until afterward. Lawyers being lawyers this could support a claim, after all look at all the unintended acceleration law suits that were filed with no validity at all. I would think it is virtually impossible that the small difference in acceleration would actually contribute to an accident but it might be made to look that way to a jury of uninformed people. Just a thought.
That would be a Lexus (CT200h), NOT a Prius. They are NOT the same! Lexus is tuned for performance. Prius is tuned for economy. So yes, the modes are probably different in the Lexus CT200h. They are probably NOT different in the Prius.
