....suck it.
As this article from the Times Online shows, the Toyota Prius ain't all it's cracked up to be. Seems the Germans still have a couple of tricks up their sleeve. Then again, when you note that BMW already has a diesel engine in it's racing program for Formula Le Mans and the American SCCA series you get a good clue as to where the Germans are taking the technology from.
Here's the raw numbers from the test for the BMW:
Model BMW 520d SE
Engine 1995cc, four cylinders
Power 177bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque 258 lb ft @ 1750rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Official fuel/CO2 55.4mpg / 136g/km
Performance 0-62mph: 8.3sec
Top speed 144mph
Road tax band C (£115)
Price £27,190
Fuel used on test 10.84 gallons (50.3mpg)
Fuel cost £54.19 (diesel)
Here's the numbers for the Prius:
Model Toyota Prius T Spirit
Engine 1497cc, four cylinders
Electric motor 50kW/67bhp
Power 77bhp @ 5000rpm
Torque 295 lb ft (motor) 85 lb ft (engine)
Transmission CVT automatic
Official fuel/CO2 65.7mpg / 104g/km
Performance 0-62mph: 10.9sec
Top speed 106mph
Road tax band B (£15, alternative fuel)
Price £20,677
Fuel used on test 11.34 gallons (48.1mpg)
Fuel cost £54.64 (petrol)
As you can see, that's nearly a full 2MPG better for the BMW even though the BMW engine is almost 500cc larger. Sure, it's more expensive to buy than the Prius, but that less than £7,000 difference can easily be made up in fuel savings.
Suck it envirowhackos!!!!
