[ken1784]

Of course the 4 cylinder is weak! That's why there is an electric motor to help when needed. If the six cylinder motor in the Lexus is so superior, why do they need an electric motor too?

FYI,
This is a little outdated information, but anyone visited following site?
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/03/1015b.html
At Tokyo Motor Show in October, Toyota displayed SU-HV1.
Engine: 3.3-liter V6
Front Motor: 120KW
Rear Motor: 50KW
Total 170KW motor power means over 225HP only by motors!!!

We'll know the detail of Lexus RX400H next month at Detroit.

Ken

 

[ken1784]

Synergy...

Pat,
Thank you for your comments,

With the Synergy system, braking doesn't just heat the brakes and subsequently ultimately the air.

My understanding of Hybrid Synergy Drive is somewhat different.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environ ... tem_03.gif
It is the light-blue plus blue part of the chart. Especially, Generator -> Motor area. It works as some kind of a torque converter.
I believe the series-parallel hybrid is the key of HSD which can't be achieved by Honda IMA system.

Anyway, Toyota is doing a good job and going over Ford.

Ken

 

[ken1784]

Hi Pat,
Of course, regenerating is one of the key technologies of hybrid cars, and
you are not wrong here.

I'm saying how Toyota is using the term "Synergy" in their Hybrid Synergy
Drive trade mark or HSD.

Let's compare between different hybrid systems.

THS-II(HSD) ... Prius/Lexus/Highlander
THS-C ........... Estima/Alphard (only in Japan)
Honda IMA ..... Insight/Civic

item .............. THS-II .. THS-C ... IMA
regenerating ... YES ..... YES ..... YES
idling stop ....... YES ..... YES ..... YES
stealth mode ... YES ..... YES ..... NO
PSD ................ YES ..... NO ...... NO

Toyota only calls HSD which has Power Split Device or PSD.
The PSD enables that ICE runs ideal torque and number of revolutions then
the power is delivered to drive wheels directly (light-blue part of the chart)
and to generate electricity which drives motor (blue part of the chart).
This is so called Synergy Effect with engine and motor power, I believe.
It is far effective than Honda IMA system.
The whole story can be found following site.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/tech/environ ... index.html

Ken

 

[ken1784]

Pat,

Ken, I was not intending to compare Honda to Toyota.

Just a note.
I brought Honda IMA system just because you wrote about regenerating on your previous post and regenerating is included in Honda's.
I did would like to say synergy is not regenerating.

Happy driving...
Ken