I realize the motor (MG2) on the Prius is 67 HP and the gas engine is 76 HP.
Why not use a motor with more HP and an engine with smaller HP?
The way I see it, normal crusing, even at highway speed takes so little HP, maybe 20 or 30 HP?
The main reason they need the power is for acceleration. So why not get a big 100 HP motor that'll be perfect for the short temporary acceleration, and a weaker engine, something like 30 HP, to drammatically cut down on the engine size (which improves economy)?
Because when you have the engine that's even more powerful than the motor, then I don't see the point of using the motor to accelerate. You can just use the engine to accelerate the car with a gearbox, like the Honda Insight.
Why not use a motor with more HP and an engine with smaller HP?
The way I see it, normal crusing, even at highway speed takes so little HP, maybe 20 or 30 HP?
The main reason they need the power is for acceleration. So why not get a big 100 HP motor that'll be perfect for the short temporary acceleration, and a weaker engine, something like 30 HP, to drammatically cut down on the engine size (which improves economy)?
Because when you have the engine that's even more powerful than the motor, then I don't see the point of using the motor to accelerate. You can just use the engine to accelerate the car with a gearbox, like the Honda Insight.