Originally Posted by haroldo

I was afraid to ask him to drive it, but he describes highway acceleration "...like it's a jet engine". It was a toss up between the Camry and the GT, but since I couldn't get a GT in Magnetic Gray, I went for the Camry.

Originally Posted by speedyg37

Haroldo,

The answer to your question is quite simple. It relates to the car's catalytic converter. The converter will get very hot under WOT (wide open throttle). This can continue to smell until every bit of catalyst packing (mostly vermiculite) gets cooked. This packing material gets "cooked" and locks the monolith in place. "Cooked"=expands and hardens.
I could write a novel here, but unless you do a lot of WOT, you will always smell a burnt weird smell after hard acceleration, especially on a hybrid which rarely needs a lot of power from it's engine. If you use WOT a lot, the smell will eventually go away. I am an automotive engineer and designed a number of exhaust manifolds with integrated catalysts. I know these parts well.
On a different note, there is nothing at all wrong using WOT in a hybrid. In fact, this is one of the best methods for getting the best mileage figures in a Prius. WOT till you get to speed, then coast and feather the gas pedal as needed. I have had two Prius cars and had good success with that technique. With any luck, will get my Camry Hybrid this weekend!
Enjoy yours!