QOTD: Why Hasn’t Anyone Out-Gas Mileaged The Prius?

In the 70s, I drove around DC (and on the beltway at 70MPH) on Suzuki and Yamaha 250s. I didn't care about MPG back then but rather ease of navigating through traffic and finding a parking space. I was immortal then. Stupid too.

I only post to offer the evidence that small cycles do get operated on higher speed roads.

 

NC700X has a scooter version NM4. 61MPG, 670cc engine, capable of 110MPH speed. This is now when gen2 is rated at 46.

2016 NM4 Overview - Honda Powersports

 

Or in real life. I remember over in GreenHybrid trying to explain to the early GM start-stop system owners why they didn't get Prius-like mileage. That was back when GM was calling their Belt-Assisted (BAS) cars hybrids. Then they called them 'micro-hybrids' and now I don't remember GM using the word 'hybrid' with those cars any longer.

I once test drove a Saturn with the BAS system and felt so sad for the sales critter. To have to sell such a dog . . .

Bob Wilson

ps. I called the belt-assisted hybrids 'retarded' (i.e., BAS-tards).

 

They were deluded if they actually expected Prius-like numbers.
Somebody, somewhere started using micro-hybrid to label basic start/stop systems. It wasn't GM, it would technically be a step down in designation for the BAS, but I think it started in Europe or Japan.

 

probably bob klutz in an alternate universe working for toyota.

 

One of the few people who might be improved by LSD.

Bob Wilson

 

all mass produced motor vehicle designs are an financial-engineering compromise - the Prius stands out as making most of the *right* choices for many people. The few mass produced motor vehicles like the 1st gen Honda Insight that can beat the Prius in MPG ... but do not do as well in other choices. One aspect of the Prius that Toyota got right is to consistently support a Prius driver-owner-tech community which makes adopting hybrid tech much easier. If you are a hi tech motor vehicle specialist with plenty of cash - you could make your own car and service it yourself - but most people are not like that ...and need some help at one time or another... that's where a driver-owner-tech community is really nice thing to have

 

I had a Suzuki GS 400S, which I chose over the faster but half-the-mileage Yamaha RD400, which I also rejected because of the blue smoke. I think the quarter mile time was on par with a Ferrari, so it was a great deal of fun. I doubt I regularly got anywhere near the stated mileage, but I saw it even then as a greener and cheaper alternative to a car. For a single person, or even one who regularly travels alone, it's an alternative worth looking at. No, it's not as safe nor as comfortable as a car, but, as with most things, there are tradeoffs.

Good thing you didn't bring up electric motorcyles.....

 

I got no problem with that;
Meet the electric motorcycle that's now the fastest production bike in the world

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Back in the day I've used to commute on the bike and use minivan for trips in bad weather and ones requiring space for more than one person. Running joke was that it was my "hybrid" avg annual consumption was 54MPG.

Riiight.. shall we dig out your anti motorcycle posts?

 

um ... ok (?)
.

 

The Prius AC keeps running when the engine goes into stop mode, omes back on when the battery needs to be charged.


Petty slick system!

DBCassidy

 

Nice try, BUT inaccurate. At highway speeds, a Burgman 400 = 68 mpg..

DBCassidy

 

to OP. Anyone remember Al Gore (the vice president) and his 80MPG coalition?

GM, Chrysler and Ford had built 80MPG prototypes (I think Precept was getting 100MPG on diesel on CAFE test):
General Motors Precept - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Green Brigade - Car Comparison - Car and Driver
Dodge ESX3, GM Precept, Ford P2000

Dodge ESX3:

 

I'm pretty sure the OP was wondering about vehicles similarly sized to the Prius. You know ... 5 seater? Good amount of trunk space? Somewhat safe? Produced in something objectively within the realm of quantity? We've hashed over the bicycle, the motorcycles, the one-off specials, & lots of other stuff. I think the only thing that got skipped while entering the world of bizarro was maybe this;


50-60mph, & zero carbon fuel. 5 seater? Not so much - night capability? nope. Volume? Forget it. Comfort? Even Prius seats win.
.

 

And the point? ESX3 and Precept prototypes were 5-seaters.

 

Never mind I fear you missed it - at this junction, it devolved - to evince helpfulness can have a low yield
.

 

o/p probably long gone, but the point is, why doesn't honda make a 75 mpg car the size of a prius and put toyota out of business?

 

They can't make it cheaply enough.