Prius Prime Acceleration

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Prashanta, Oct 21, 2016.

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  1. Prashanta

    Prashanta Active Member

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    Some websites are reporting acceleration figures of 11.3 seconds [autoweek] in hybrid mode. (It is probably similar in EV Auto mode as well.) Not only is this figure a little underwhelming, I'm having a hard time making sense of it...

    The first Prius PHV from 2012 is rated at 10.9 seconds [zeroto60times]. It had a single 60kW motor at its disposal. Prime has the now famous dual motor drive with motors rated at 53 kW (MG2) and 23 kW (MG1) [Wikipedia]. That's a total of 76 kW for potentially 26% more power than its predecessor. The curb weight is 1526 kg compared to 1420 kg, which translates to 7% increase in weight.

    So how is it that we have a 7% heavier vehicle with the same engine and 26% more electric power, and it accelerates to 60 mph more slowly?

    Also, why didn't Toyota make MG1 more powerful? A sub-10 seconds 0-60 time would have made this car so much more appealing. Fast, quiet acceleration is one of the reasons why people like electric vehicles.

    Note: I believe the electric motors' power ratings are additive because the power curve is the same for both. Whereas you wouldn't add the electric motor and gas engine power ratings...) Also, please note I couldn't add links because I'm still a nubie here.
     
    #1 Prashanta, Oct 21, 2016
  2. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    I do not think that is ludicrous.
     
    #2 KennyGS, Oct 21, 2016
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The Prime has the best efficiency of any car available.
    To achieve this, Toyota likely opted for gearing more conductive to that at the expense of raw acceleration.

    People do like an EV's acceleration, even if the Leaf, which has a 0 to 60 around that of the Prime. Because a motor delivers its peak torque right away, the car feels faster than the ICE one they are use too.
     
    #3 Trollbait, Oct 21, 2016
  4. ttait

    ttait Active Member

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    I'm not buying it to race anyone off the line. Now, THATS ludicrous.
    Quiet, comfortable, a great value, and High Tech. That's what appeals to me.
    If I wanted a fast car, I'd buy a P90D with the ludicrous option. I prefer not to spend my money that way.
     
    #4 ttait, Oct 21, 2016
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  5. Prashanta

    Prashanta Active Member

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    Your comparison with P90D is a little extreme. That car is 3x as expensive. Suppose Toyota gave you the option of doubling MG1 power for $500 more and noted mpge rating drop to 130, would you take the offer? I bet you most people would.
     
    #5 Prashanta, Oct 21, 2016
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    #6 fotomoto, Oct 21, 2016
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I suspect the 11 sec time is in hybrid mode. The 0-30 time in EV mode should be quicker than in HV mode because of the dual motor propulsion.

    Toyota does not give a value for EV-only acceleration to 60mph. It probably tails off as it approaches 60mph.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Oct 21, 2016
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  8. alexgrigori

    alexgrigori Active Member

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    I would be more concern about efficiency of recuperation during braking. Prime is heavy and has big kinetic energy to utilize.
    If I am not mistaken MG1 may assists only acceleration but not deceleration due to one-way clutch. Emergency braking typically takes only a few seconds. For maximum efficiency all kinetic energy car obtained during 11-15 sec acceleration should be consumed by battery in say 3-5 sec. This may require much bigger generator, (say 150-200 kW). It means that in case of emergency deceleration <30% of energy can be recuperated by MG2 (or up to 50% is MG1 will be able to assist)
    For maximum MPGs deceleration, if possible, shell be done during the same 11-15 sec
     
    #8 alexgrigori, Oct 21, 2016
  9. Texas911

    Texas911 Member

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    I don't need ludicrous speed but I need it to be able to get me out of possible bad situations! A sun 10 sec time would have been nicer.
     
    #9 Texas911, Oct 21, 2016
  10. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    11.3 sec empty! put 5 people and 300 lbs of luggage then it really slow ! like 22+ sec . to 60 mph.
     
    #10 Toppcat, Oct 21, 2016
  11. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    You think four people + luggage weighs around 3,600 pounds?
     
    #11 Lee Jay, Oct 21, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is what it is.
     
    #12 bisco, Oct 21, 2016
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  13. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I drove a G2 (2004), G3 (2015) and G4 (2016) on the same route on the same day. One spot was a full-throttle acceleration up a steep hill from rest.

    The G4 was three miles per hour faster at the top than the other two. The Prime has the same drive train but duel motor in Ev and much larger battery storage.
     
    #13 Lee Jay, Oct 21, 2016
  14. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    60-0 stop in one of the videos was 139 ft which is a bit long.

    Ditto.
     
    #14 Tideland Prius, Oct 21, 2016
  15. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

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    Where you come up with 3600 lbs? Prime weight I. At 3,365 lbs 5 people at 175 lbs =875lbs + 300 = 1,175 total weight est. 4,546 lbs .
     
    #15 Toppcat, Oct 23, 2016
  16. civicdriver06

    civicdriver06 Active Member

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    Watch the Video very closely !
    As the guy is reviewing the inside of the car,you can clearly see that the battery is very near to depletion !
    Even mighty Tesla S/X cuts the power at that stage and no more "ludicrous-mode" is possible .
    Also keep in mind that these vehicles had pre-production stage and software may have not been final yet.
     
    #16 civicdriver06, Oct 23, 2016
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    That's what it would take to double the 0-60 time from 11 seconds to 22 seconds.
     
    #17 Lee Jay, Oct 23, 2016
  18. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    I agree. With the highways around here, I would sacrifice some economy for some extra acceleration for safety's sake.
     
    #18 El Dobro, Oct 23, 2016
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i haven't ever had an issue with highway acceleration.
     
    #19 bisco, Oct 23, 2016
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  20. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    In Hybrid Mode, there is no 'dual motor drive' the two motors loin together only in EV mode.
    The acceleration (in EV) and the recuperation in braking are both limited by the battery capability and not by the motors. The battery peak output power was stated to be 68 kW (compared to 38 kW of the PiP - 83% increase) don't know about regeneration capabilities but it was improved as well..
     
    #20 giora, Oct 23, 2016
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