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percentage of aluminium

Discussion in 'Environmental Discussion' started by wdfoto, Mar 13, 2005.

  1. wdfoto

    wdfoto New Member

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    Seems like I read that aluminium is used in a large amount in the Prius. Does anyone know what the areas are aluminium and what is the weight saving.

    Thanks
    wdfoto
     
    #1 wdfoto, Mar 13, 2005
  2. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    hatch and hood, bumper bars, ICE block, heads, intake manifold, PSD case and MG cases, Steering rack housing, Wheels, Inverter/converter housing, and miriad small parts thru out the body and structure. I don't ever remember seeing a percentage listed.
     
    #2 Frank Hudon, Mar 13, 2005
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    not to mention the alloy rims as they are lightweight alloys

    Edit: if the hatch is aluminium, is most of the weight from the glass then? cause it's rather heavy compared to a Camry's bootlid which is a featherweight in comparison
     
    #3 Tideland Prius, Mar 13, 2005
  4. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    yup the glass is about 1 1/2 times heavier than the hatch it's self. Also the spoiler is quite heavy. The hood weights less than the cardboard box it comes in.
     
    #4 Frank Hudon, Mar 13, 2005
  5. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    another thing is the gas struts mask the weight, especially coming down. I suppose that Toy could have made them with a closer pressure to weight ratio but as soon as they loose even a bit of the gas charge the hatch wouldn't stay up.
     
    #5 Frank Hudon, Mar 13, 2005
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    oh? Hmm, I could lift the hatch so that the rear window is parallel to the ground and it would hold for a few secs, then slowly rise.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, Mar 13, 2005
  7. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

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    if the weight balance on the hatch were any different, i know a few people that would have had problems with it.

    of course the person i had in mind, would have had problems with it because she couldnt reach the hatch when it was open
     
    #7 DaveinOlyWA, Apr 20, 2005
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