Prius Stretch Limo: Part Deux

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Oct 25 2007, 09:51 AM) [snapback]529951[/snapback]</div>

After one rotation they are dry but unless you are driving through deep puddles the brake discs don't get all that wet. The clearance between the pads and rotors is minute so any water droplets are wiped away or thrown off by the rotating discs. With brake assist and ABS there shouldn't be a problem with the limo brakes.

Was the stretch approved by road authorities?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Prius Limo @ Oct 23 2007, 11:13 AM) [snapback]529375[/snapback]</div>

The original braking comment jumped out at me as well. :blink:

The regenerative braking in the Prius is limited to 25 KW (which, according to my CAN-view, is easily reached when firm pressure is applied to the brake pedal). A heavier Prius would need more power to brake. The maximum regeneration would be reached sooner, leading to a greater percentage of the kinetic energy being lost through the friction brakes.


But I LOVE the concept. Great job, "Prius Limo"!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Oct 24 2007, 06:45 PM) [snapback]529957[/snapback]</div>

Yes, it was a month long process with several inspections and one panel interview. The approval went smoothly, it just had a lot of lag time as three government departments were involved. I am sure each state has slightly different rules for "special construction" vehicles.

 

For those who doubt, here's a page with a boatload of photos. Looks pretty real to me.


http://www.autoblog.com/photos/prius-6-door-limo/457000/

 

My question is, although I admit it is a new thought from when I first saw your Prius last year, did you add a second battery to the car? If not, why?

 

I wouldn't be worried about the brakes. I'd be worried about the tire load carrying capacity. I'd put on bigger tires, say 205s at least. It appears to still have the 15" wheels. Just keep close to the same overall diameter as stock and the bigger tires will handle the load but the larger size won't affect the speedo etc. As you are in Quebec, I recommend Nokian WR tires. They are much stronger than the stock ones. You would, of course, loose a bit of mileage with the larger tires, but the difference might be much lower than you'd expect.

ALL limos overload the wheels/suspension and the builders must compensate. I've seen limos in Vegas blow tires, usually when they hit a curb or corner too hard. It's funny and sad at the same time!

 

An awesome crashed Prius hack would be to make a delivery truck system.

Imagine a two-seater with an open or closed box, using the front of a Prius, and the back of a small pickup...

A Pri-Pick-Up...

Would be much more useful that a stretched Prius, though it's nice seeing people taking the car to new lengths.

 

I recall that concept being discussed here before, but it was called a Prickup.

 

I wonder the 0-60MPH time of this stretched Prius limo will be.....(with all these extra weights). 16-18s maybe....

 

He's only an idiot going downhill? Does he recoup his intelligence going uphill?

 

We have driven 40K miles since the modification. So far, I don't see a need for additional battery capacity. There would be one clear exception. Long down hill grades do fill the traction battery to capicity. Other than that, the state of charge stays in the blue. I prefer to preserve the luggage space!

 

Steve Woodruff at Autobeyours.com is building one. I don't know how far he has gotten with the project. There is a huge demand for his rebuilt Pri and the expanding business may delay the product.

I would love to drive a truck again. Let me know if you find one that seats 8.

 

I know the guy who made this. He has six kids and it's hard to fit multiple carseats in a regular car...it's hard even in a van. It cracks me up to see people's cell phone pics of it all across the country. It's such a unique car that it's cool to spot. Kind of like a Where's Waldo? of cars. There's a ton of buzz on this car and it's really sad how many people thought it was photoshopped. I can see how one might draw that conclusion, but I got to see the car in some of it's various stages of completion.