My coworker showed up today with a 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid and was just bragging about it and how it's so fast and she made a rude remark to me about how the dealer told her the Civic Hybrid was just so mcuh faster than the Toyota Prius. I didn't think this was true so I asked her to test it with me so on our lunch break we drove to this very long dead road (no traffic whatsoever) and I know it's kinda illegal but I could not resist and a few of my coworkers came along to time us. We were doing 0-60 time. We both took off at the same time and we both floored it, my Prii even squealed a little but I made it to 60 and she was still behind me and she told me she did floor it. Now how is the Honda Civic slower than a Prius because the Civic has a bigger gas engine. I the ICE in mine did rev up pretty high.
I'd have thought it would have been a pretty close race, but if you had a higher SOC than the HCH, then that might explain it. The best 0 to 60 Car and Driver was able to get out of the HCH was 10.8 seconds, close to the reported times for the Prius.
I haven't compared the specs, but part of it could be the electric motors... if the Prius motor could put more torque to the wheels at the low speeds that could be the deciding factor.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(eagle33199 @ Nov 16 2006, 04:11 PM) [snapback]350281[/snapback]</div> It does have a smaller ICE, and the IMA is only good for 20 HP or so, but I thought it was about 500 lbs lighter than a Prius.
This comparison in Motor Trend found the Prius 0.8 seconds faster to 60mph: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/hybrid..._prius_epa.html
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(KTPhil @ Nov 16 2006, 02:13 PM) [snapback]350270[/snapback]</div> Followed by Lotus Elise vs. Smart to determine best trailer towing ability.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SNORLAX OWNS YOU @ Nov 16 2006, 05:53 PM) [snapback]350388[/snapback]</div> where is everyone going? why have the need to compare how fast one another is...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(CapeCodPrius @ Nov 16 2006, 05:05 PM) [snapback]350405[/snapback]</div> I just did it for fun. I like my prius. I didnt buy it for speed so I don't expect it to be a turbo
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Nov 16 2006, 02:32 PM) [snapback]350362[/snapback]</div> I'm willing to put a Koenigsegg CCX up against that Lotus in towing capacity anyday To OP - I've only had my Prius for a few days but I really love how fast it launches from a dead stop when you ask it to. It always catches the hot-rodders by surprise and it's a great way to burn off some battery when the SOC is all green. Also, who cares if the Prius' 0-60 is 10 seconds... All I need to do it keep up with the SUVs ahead of me and behind me which it easily does.
That's the difference transmission (or lack of) can make. There is peak power (same 110 hp for both) and then there is power delivery (makes a huge difference). HCH might have higher ICE peak power but overall the rate that it delivers might not be as consistant as Prius. Think power delivery like a water hose. Power (water pressure) might be there but if it can't deliver due to the small hose (or low torque), it does not matter. Hybrid Synergy Drive open up that bottleneck and delivers virtually perfect (consistant) torque through out 0-107 mph. If you want to see more noticable HSD superiority, try 30-50 mph and 50-70 mph race. Prius is in a different league (above) of HCH. Many people overlook that and only compare MPG. Prius is bigger (mid-size) than HCH (compact) also. There are many reasons why Prius out sell HCH by 4:1 ratio.
What I'd like to know is how the co-worker responded to the defeat, especially in front of other co-workers and after bragging and making a rude remark.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dancekat59 @ Nov 16 2006, 07:06 PM) [snapback]350533[/snapback]</div> Oh she was very upset and was saying it's because she used cheap gas which is false because I use the cheapest gas I can find aka. Sams club
First, I love the jokes about the MPG race off with the Hummer and all, brilliant. This is a very funny topic, but there is a small bit of worth to it: If you're in your MPG machine and you are caught in a place where slamming the gas will save your life... are you good as dead? I spent a fair bit of time with the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Prius (both 2006) before deciding. My impressions are that 0-10mph Prius wins; 0-30mph, Civic wins; 30-50mph, Prius wins again. Both are 0-60 in 11 seconds or more, so the answer to the above question is "Well... maybe." My overall impression was that the Civic felt "faster," but I think it's because the most frequent hard accelleration anyone does is 0-30mph. Before I started driving the Prius for mileage I didn't realize I did it too - all the traffic around me pushes hard to get to 30 immediately, then tapers off. I do wish there was a somewhat smaller, sleeker Prius though - that'd sure be a fun drive.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Platypus @ Nov 16 2006, 06:24 PM) [snapback]350429[/snapback]</div> hahaha, are you serious?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SLH350 @ Nov 16 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]350527[/snapback]</div> Winner runs against my '73 Pinto... [laughing]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SLH350 @ Nov 16 2006, 08:01 PM) [snapback]350527[/snapback]</div> I don't think you get it. It is not about how fast a car without consideration of fuel usage. It is not about 18 second nor 18 MPG (your signature) car. It is all about what you can do with a given amount of gas, in another word, efficiency. HSD redefines peak power rating of a car. It is intriguing how well a car with 110 peak horsepower can do. For example, compare Prius to HCH. When you put in consideration of fuel usage, you get a whole different game. Why race if you don't consider the distance? Why race if you don't consider the time? Why race if you don't consider the fuel usage? Welcome to the next level B) :lol:
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(usbseawolf2000 @ Nov 16 2006, 08:51 PM) [snapback]350570[/snapback]</div> Are you serious?
