Dramatic throttle response change between EV and Hybrid modes

We don't have that mode. Different markets have different ones. There was there soon after the Prime release comparing North America's to Europe's.

 

Do you mean that EV Auto mode behaves differently since EV City one?

 

I at least am not familiar with how the “EV City” mode behaves. Could you tell us more about it? Is that the European version?

 

Yes mine is an European version. EV City basically makes use of MG2 only. This means that the driver has less power available but also that the regenerative action during glides is less evident- the use of B function of the gear selection level helps in this area. According to the USM, ICE could kick in during high-power requests by the driver, but it never happened to me even though sometimes I had to floor the pedal. During EV City operations, the cruise control cannot be engaged. Also EV City mode cannot be engaged at speeds over 90 kmh (roughly).

 

I hadn't done comparisons on the CC acceleration yet, but that would be logical. It's a change to acceleration. I hope it does affect CC acceleration rates It's not logical for Eco, etc. to make changes to regeneration rates since that's not going to make a perceptible change in economy. Any change it might make would make it microscopically worse by essentially braking harder in Eco. And if it was lighter, it would tend to lead to more likelihood of excess friction brake use

 

Currently can't find the thread that discussed the mode differences between markets.

From memory, both North America and Europe have HV EV Auto, though EV auto in Europe may just be called EV.
Europe has the EV city as described.
NA has an EV mode that avoids the use of the engine.

 

We do not have a corresponding mode in the US.

 

That is certainly true, however, I gather that the P.Prime doesn’t fire up MG1, torquing against the sprague clutch, as long as you accelerate lightly-to-moderately. In other words, moderate driving in ordinary hybrid mode is ... well, somewhat similar.

 

I drive in ECO mode exclusively and notice this when ICE is cold. But when the warmup cycle is done, I do not notice much decrease in power. During the warmup cycle, Prime seems to use EV for a while (about a minute, or a few miles of driving distance) and switch to HV. That's the time I feel the decrease in power or dullest throttle response the most. The current MPG gauge shows way below 50MPG. Once the MPG shows 60-70 and up, the dull throttle response appears to disappear IMHO. Of course, this cold be my wishful thinking.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

You could be on to something. I don't think I really paid much attention the few times I've made that switch with a warm engine.

 

Today I did a controlled test on a level road with no traffic. Steady speed 40 to start, coast down to 20 mph. Two runs (one in each direction) in each of ECO and NORMAL drive modes. Zero difference in regenerative braking between the two modes - the car coasted down to 20 mph repeatably in the same distance.

 

I was under the impression that ECO mode changes how quickly the interior climate controls work? On very hot days where the car interior is melting, I often shut off ECO mode to cool the car down as it seems to take forever otherwise.

 

In ECO drive mode, the default climate control mode is ECO. However, you can override this from the climate controls and still stay in ECO drive mode.

 

Thanks, @jb in NE. You beat me to it. Also, if you keep the car in Eco drive mode and climate is not in eco, when you start up, I think it remembers and keeps climate in normal while the car stays in Eco drive mode. Both are nice improvements over the PiP.

 

Just went down to the garage and tested. Car in ECO drive mode, every time I turn it on the climate is back in ECO mode, regardless of the position that was in when I shutdown the car. I don't know if this is affected by one of the settings I see in Carista, but I don't believe it is:

A/C ECO mode - enabled

 

Hmmmmm. I'll have to pay more attention.

 

I would be interesting repeating such test this time in EV and in EV AUTO.

 

I don't think it will make a difference, as the car will be in EV mode either way.

 

Hello - I have had my 2017 plugin for almost 10 weeks and have noticed similar - I have it set on normal and if I know I am going on a longer run ie over 30 miles I try to put it on charge - usually on longer stretch of dual carriageway to boost battery and ensure I have the added power for EV when negotiating roundabouts or swopping lanes from traffic lights when busy. This works for me; but I agree, when the battery is depleted the throttle response is markedly different - hence I try to plan ahead.
What I am surprised about is normally when I get a new car I notice all similar cars to mine, but I have yet to see another Prius plugin on the road - many hybrids - often taxis but no plugins.
I am beginning to feel like an endangered species!!

 

I know what you mean. I do occasionally see another Prime in my area but only about once every 4-6 weeks. Right now, I'm about a third of the way through a 5,400 mile road trip and we have not seen one singe Prime. In fact, not many Prii at all compared to Tampa.

I don't think of it as an endangered species, though. We are elite!