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Toyot's MPG game

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by nerfer, Dec 14, 2007.

  1. nerfer

    nerfer A young senior member

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    Interesting article at Forbes: http://www.forbes.com/global/2007/1224/022.html?partner=yahoomag

    Talks about Toyota's ulterior motive in joining Detroit against CAFE improvements, and that they want (need) to produce an effective PHEV.

    "The biggest threat facing Toyota's hybrid-electric technology isn't something even newer and more radically different; it's the old technology made better by competitors who aren't yet ready to follow Toyota's lead. Over the course of the last century Detroit doubled--and then redoubled--the efficiency of conventional combustion engines. If forced to do so, Detroit will find ways to squeeze another 10 miles per gallon out of gasoline cars."

    "The last thing Toyota needs right now is for Congress to cattle-prod Toyota's competitors into improving the efficiency of gasoline cars."
     
    #1 nerfer, Dec 14, 2007
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Competition is good. I'm sure Toyota can squeeze another 10mpg too and stay ahead of the game.


    Their new 2.0 litre to be launched very very soon (if it isn't already) has the same power output as our current 2.4 litre in the Camry/tC and yet is more fuel efficient than the 2.4 litre (and lighter and smaller given that it's a 2.0 litre not a 2.4 litre) which are all plusses.
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, Dec 14, 2007
  3. ceric

    ceric New Member

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    The real competition for Toyota in US is Honda, technology-wise. Honda's sales volumn is about 60% of toyota even though it is a much smaller company. With the upcoming A-VTEC, Honda promise the MPG to be at least 10% better than what it offers now while offering more power (higher torque).
    A-VTEC will be applied to the full range of engines (I4, V6, V8 and V10). Direct-injection alone can provide 5-10% more torque assuming same displacement. It is only available to high-end engines now. The technology will propagate to lower-end when the cost is reduced.
     
    #3 ceric, Dec 14, 2007
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