Source: Mini Latest to Admit Mislabeling MPG | TheDetroitBureau.com Ok, so another automaker has overstated their numbers: But the interesting points are embedded in the article: Of all the EPA testing protocols, the "Coast-Down" is the most trustable set of metrics. I use it because it can predict the power needed over all speed ranges. It does nothing for the engine thermodynamic efficiency at different power settings but the "Coast-Down" drag metrics are half of the battle. I would like to see a % loss based upon the warm-up interval. Bob Wilson
The EPA tests on a Prius v match my experience within a rounding error so I have the impression the current hybrid tests can't be so bad. I don't expect my driving to match their tests, just that the EPA numbers give me an approximation and something to compare to other cars with. That presupposes that all manufacturers are running honest tests, of course. Or that EPA is checking enough to keep them honest. Which of course means adequate EPA funding.
And ... what about it ? Moreover, even if that test is wrong or can be gamed the manufacturer would not have to restate results so long as they followed the protocol. Leave it to some crappy media called 'Detroit*' to use BMW error/fraud to cast FUD on the EPA. Anything informative known ? Addendum #1: Is the coast-down on rollers or a road ? Addendum #2: EPA announcement. It is interesting to read that that largest (in percentage) correction was a highway result for a manual transmission. That was corrected down 10.5%, while the city results were in the 3% corrected down range. IIRC the Ford story followed a similar pattern of highway being further off than city. Tempting to speculate that the manufacturers are extrapolating from a low speed coast-down while the EPA is doing the actual high-speed coast-down.
I'm actually getting better numbers on my prius than the EPA's listed rating. Granted, I do some light hypermiling, but even when I drive it somewhat aggressively, or "normal", I still average about 52 mpg combined city/highway. And this is with the 17 inch wheels on the trim five liftback, so I'd imagine with 15 inch wheels it would be 2-4 mpg more. On the Prius c I was getting 53 mpg without special driving, and 58 with some hypermiling. I do wonder what kind of new mpg the other carmakers are going to get when they revise the tests. Remember how the Ford C-max mileage got downgraded twice? I wonder what it's going to look like with the new tests. Toyota will probably be okay with most of their vehicles in the new mpg tests, unless the EPA assumes everyone has a lead foot and does jackrabbit starts from every stop light/sign they cross.
The EPA is actually the opposite of a lead foot. The two main tests haven't changed in decades. Their unaltered results are used for CAFE, and Prius gets 70something on that. Only one of the new tests is actually new. The other two are one of the old ones done in the cold or heat with AC running. Then these the results are used to come up with a factor to modify the main two. But running 5 tests can be to 'burdensome', so the automakers are allowed to use mathematical models instead of actually running the 3 new tests.
It would be nice to have in the manual. Tesla seems to be the only one to get close by an app on their site.
New MINI owners have been reporting low 40s on the highway, combined is mid 30s. This is for the regular Cooper (3-cyl 1.5L turbocharged) with a manual gearbox. Both regular and S versions are now turbocharged so gas mileage can go south very quickly. Test drove one last weekend. More comfy than my '06 Cooper S but less edgy. It's my GRIN MACHINE.
To me, if it doesn't get at least 40+ mpg in the city, its a low performance vehicle. High performance is 50+mpg city. The Prius meets and exceeds my definition of high performance. My eBike far exceeds that. Going 0-60 in no time flat is great to talk about but, you can only go as fast as the person in front of you. In Bowling Green, KY, that's usually someone going slow.
Ah... I see we're talking about different things. For me, the Prius is not high performance. It's energy efficient. This is performance... especially at 2:55 forward... the wife didn't know the camera was on.
Yep tesla has a nice tool on the website, that perhaps all efficient cars should have, but most car companies including toyota don't want us to have that data, becuase it is worse than most people expect. Kudo's to bob for doing a chart for the gen II prius.
