LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
#1
11-08-2007, 10:47 AM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...7/1386/METRO05
Stop, stop, stop, my sides are aching!
There is a lot to recommend with the two-mode hybrid but a blanket, "buy the two-mode system" is like saying, "You only need a sledge hammer."
In all seriousness, now that GM has legitimized the full hybrids with their own, a whole lot of auto business reporters and editors are going to discover a new reality that they had been bashing for years and years. But you know, we are an adaptive species . . . let's be charitable . . . after we wipe the smirks off our faces. <GRINS>
Bob Wilson
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Scott Burgess: Product reviews
GET YOUR GREEN ON: Answers to common questions about hybrids
. . .
Q . Who should consider a hybrid?
A . If more than two-thirds of your time in a car is spent sitting in stop-and-go traffic, then a hybrid is right up your alley. Hybrids get better mileage in the city than on the highway because they can run on electric motors at slow speeds -- typically up to about 25 mph before the gas engine turns on to help power the vehicle. The 2008 Toyota Camry hybrid gets 33 mpg in city driving. The regular Camry with a similar-sized engine gets 21 mpg in the city. Highway numbers, however, are only 3 mpg different, with the hybrid Camry achieving 34 mpg and the regular Camry hitting 31.
. . .
If you're going to buy a hybrid, buy the two-mode system; you'll see a larger mileage savings and the ride is better.
. . .
Scott Burgess: Product reviews
GET YOUR GREEN ON: Answers to common questions about hybrids
. . .
Q . Who should consider a hybrid?
A . If more than two-thirds of your time in a car is spent sitting in stop-and-go traffic, then a hybrid is right up your alley. Hybrids get better mileage in the city than on the highway because they can run on electric motors at slow speeds -- typically up to about 25 mph before the gas engine turns on to help power the vehicle. The 2008 Toyota Camry hybrid gets 33 mpg in city driving. The regular Camry with a similar-sized engine gets 21 mpg in the city. Highway numbers, however, are only 3 mpg different, with the hybrid Camry achieving 34 mpg and the regular Camry hitting 31.
. . .
If you're going to buy a hybrid, buy the two-mode system; you'll see a larger mileage savings and the ride is better.
. . .
There is a lot to recommend with the two-mode hybrid but a blanket, "buy the two-mode system" is like saying, "You only need a sledge hammer."
In all seriousness, now that GM has legitimized the full hybrids with their own, a whole lot of auto business reporters and editors are going to discover a new reality that they had been bashing for years and years. But you know, we are an adaptive species . . . let's be charitable . . . after we wipe the smirks off our faces. <GRINS>
Bob Wilson
Last edited by bwilson4web; 11-08-2007 at 11:25 AM.
#3
11-08-2007, 06:16 PM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
I've seen worse articles, but this one wasn't very well researched. For instance, the author didn't know that the IMA-powered Civic Hybrid actually does quite well at highway speeds. Additionally, a Prius uses a Synergy drive, not 2-mode.
#4
11-09-2007, 07:00 AM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
Maybe this guy plans to do like Madonna and move from Detroit to England. Then he can appear on Top Gear as he is as insultive as Jermey Clarkston, except he is more knowledgable and often is spot on concerning cars.
#5
11-09-2007, 10:25 AM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
Nah, not England. He is going to go to Germany and defend the new American Hybrids against the German Diesel industry.
#6
11-09-2007, 06:47 PM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
i don't like being called a liar.......
he hasn't bothered to answer, either.
#7
11-09-2007, 10:41 PM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
this line bugged me so much that i had to write back to the author. i have gotten to work with over 70MPG with my HCH-I several times this week. the only non-stock item on it is an engine block heater.
i don't like being called a liar.......
he hasn't bothered to answer, either.
i don't like being called a liar.......
he hasn't bothered to answer, either.
Bob Wilson
#8
11-10-2007, 08:06 AM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
too late, bob, that's where i first saw it.
#9
11-10-2007, 11:59 AM
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 5,613
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
That works for me.
With the recent price hikes and the probability of seeing $4/gal in Jan/Feb, all of the earlier "payback folks" will need a request to 'recalculate' their payback intervals. Only this time, there will be GM two-mode hybrids on the market.
Bob Wilson
With the recent price hikes and the probability of seeing $4/gal in Jan/Feb, all of the earlier "payback folks" will need a request to 'recalculate' their payback intervals. Only this time, there will be GM two-mode hybrids on the market.
Bob Wilson
#10
11-10-2007, 12:21 PM
Re: LMAO: Scott Burgess on Hybrids
If anything, the highway EPA number for the hybrid Camry is understated. I got a solid 41 MPG on a recent interstate trek, and that was on a moderately hilly drive at 75 MPH.
Plus, the "payback" crowd doesn't have much to complain about with the Camry, since it's actually a bit cheaper than a comparably equipped V6 XLE.
But anyway, more on topic, can anyone explain (or provide a link) to a clear explanation of what GM's two-mode system actually does? As near as I can tell, it operates like a Toyota hybrid with a power-split device at lower speeds, and like a Honda hybrid with a conventional automatic at highway speeds. Is that more or less right? If so, it seems terribly overengineered for passenger vehicle duty, though I guess it makes some sense in a big SUV that's expected to tow stuff. Shame the Yukon/Tahoe is $50K, though.
Ryan
Plus, the "payback" crowd doesn't have much to complain about with the Camry, since it's actually a bit cheaper than a comparably equipped V6 XLE.
But anyway, more on topic, can anyone explain (or provide a link) to a clear explanation of what GM's two-mode system actually does? As near as I can tell, it operates like a Toyota hybrid with a power-split device at lower speeds, and like a Honda hybrid with a conventional automatic at highway speeds. Is that more or less right? If so, it seems terribly overengineered for passenger vehicle duty, though I guess it makes some sense in a big SUV that's expected to tow stuff. Shame the Yukon/Tahoe is $50K, though.
Ryan
