Journalism & The Media Television, radio, movies, newspapers, magazines, the Internet and more.

Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 3, 2008 | 07:30 AM
  #1  
dcarp's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Default Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Giugiaro says the all-wheel-drive, mid-engined car accelerates from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 4.05 seconds and tops out at 155 miles per hour.
Not really a prius, but The Quaranta borrows its hybrid powertrain from the Toyota Highlander Hybrid and the Lexus RX400h: a 3.3-liter V-6 and the Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a combined output of 268 horsepower and 213 pound-feet of torque. Italdesign claims the car will return a city/highway average of 33 mpg, and a pair of fuel tanks that together hold about sixteen gallons of gasoline provide a 620-mile range. "E-Four" is, in fact, a fancy name for Toyota's part-time all-wheel drive system (called "4WD-i" in the Highlander Hybrid), which uses a separate, 68-horsepower electric motor at the rear wheels that kicks in during acceleration or when slippage is detected.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/giugiaro-builds.html
 
Old Mar 3, 2008 | 09:38 AM
  #2  
bwilson4web's Avatar
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Talking Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Rats! I was day-dreaming of doing something similar only using two salvage Prius.

I would use a custom, foam-and-fiberglass chassis and have both front and rear drive systems operated by driver operated, computers. Then to solve the built-in control law problem, put some really large diameter tires on both the front and rear. The ultimate trick is having both front and rear wheel steering so I can do really fast, 'drift' lane changes and take corners like nobody's business. Heck, if I didn't mind the tire wear, I could probably do a lateral parallel park with smoking tires <GRINS>.

Because there would be no front or rear storage space, the cabin would be a little bit longer with storage places behind and under the rear seats. The front and rear seats could also be shifted to make a nice, double-sized bed.

Given the larger roof area, solar cells that feed the traction battery and environmental systems. So if the car is parked in sunlight, the interior stays cool.

Ah, the beauty of day-dream cars, they don't actually have to work. <grins>

Bob Wilson
 
Old Mar 3, 2008 | 10:58 AM
  #3  
Tideland Prius's Avatar
Pretty Darn Active Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 478
From: Canada
Default Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Looks similar to the Volta? I suppose this one actually runs?
 
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 08:56 AM
  #4  
dcarp's Avatar
Thread Starter
|
Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Default Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Bob, my spider-senses detect sarcasm...
 
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 01:50 PM
  #5  
FastMover's Avatar
Old Boomer Techie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 572
From: Pacific Northwest (WA)
Default Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Originally Posted by dcarp
Bob, my spider-senses detect sarcasm...
Ya' think?
 
Old Mar 4, 2008 | 07:32 PM
  #6  
bwilson4web's Avatar
Engineering first
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,613
From: Huntsville, AL
Default Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

I'm shocked that anyone would ever doubt my day-dreams:




"I come before you to sit down behind you to tell you things I know nothing about." - my wife paraphrasing James Joyce.

Bob Wilson
 
Old Mar 5, 2008 | 12:40 PM
  #7  
FastMover's Avatar
Old Boomer Techie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 572
From: Pacific Northwest (WA)
Default Re: Guigiaro builds fastest prius

Bob, you really got to get a life, man.

BTW, why didn't you reverse the door handle on the last door to give the VIP more headroom while mounting or dismounting?
 
Related Topics
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Curated Content Editor
Journalism & The Media
0
Apr 28, 2014 08:21 PM
bwilson4web
Journalism & The Media
1
Aug 28, 2007 10:49 AM
lars-ss
Off Topic
2
Sep 14, 2005 11:32 AM



Contact Us -

  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Manage Preferences
  • Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

    When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

    © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands


    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:33 AM.