[Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

[Robert Wilson]

Hi Michael,

. . .
> It appears that though these noises are somewhat audible, they will come up
> short . . . 

I'm not the one to make that call. I understand Prof. Rosenblum has already conducted a series of experiments. But I'm suggesting the nature of the noise is as different from the 'clomp clomp' of a horse as the Model T. This is why regression testing is neede.

> I would like to suggest that maybe, if you or someone else on list who has a
> hybrid has a moment, that you take a spin in the 2010 Honda Insight, which
> has been newly revamped and outfitted for a sportier appearance and driving
> posture for the model year, to see how it compares in performance and
> technology to the Prius.  

I tried to test a Honda Insight but I hit my head against the door jam when I tried to sit in the driver's seat. The Insight has a long list of other problems. But there is one that may have some interest for this list.

The Honda Insight as well as every other hybrid that uses 'auto stop,' does not have an inverter coolant pump (this includes the GM 'mild hybrids'.) If one had a pair of 2010 Prius with a Honda Insight between them stopped at a crossing with their hoods up, I would hear the Prius inverter pumps. The Honda Insight would be an audio, "black hole."

The Insight problems include: small size compared to the 2010 Prius; mileage no better than a Jetta TDI; tiny instruments found peering, down through the steering wheel, instead of the dash top mounted Prius instruments; worse visibility to sides and rear and; a cramped driver seat as if in a coffin. People weighing 170 lbs or less will find the Insight much more to their liking but I couldn't find anything that I could find even remotely attractive.

BTW, I also checked out the Jetta TDI. Although the cabin more like a Prius, it is a sedan so the interior space makes it a small-car, not a family size sedan. But when I adjusted the seat for my frame, the cabin A-post was on my left shoulder, this is the center part that the rear passenger door hing is attached. Looking over my left shoulder, I could only see the post. The problem is the Jetta has a fraction, a small fraction, of the City mileage of the Prius. Worse, it seems to attract those who think 'burning rubber' and similar nonsense is what cars are all about.

No, I think the right answer lies in the automated, accident avoidance systems we are seeing in the top-end Prius, SAAB and BMWs. These accident avoidance systems work inspited of the driver by automatically applying the brakes if a collision with another vehicle or pedestrian is about to occur. They work at speeds well above 25 mph and work on not only hybrids but all cars, even the 97% that are not hybrids. Personally, I would like to see all hybrid required to have these accident avoidance systems. 

These systems work because I saw the Denso system at the Detroit Autoshow. It clearly identifed pedestrian as well as the lane markers and even read the speed limit signs. A system like this would make the hybrids demonstratably safer not only for pedestrians but all accidents. 

Safer hybrids means lower insurance rates, lower than they already are, for hybrid owners. Second, it would increase the volume so the economies of scale would work. Limited to just hybrids, they may not become cheap enough to be equivalent to the insurance savings, possibly taking 5 years instead of 1 for payoff, but we really need to be get these automated, accident system costs down and as affordable options for all hybrid models. For example, I paid $24,250 for our 2010 Prius but I had no option of adding the accident avoidance system except by adding $10,000 to the purchase price that included a bunch of 'junk' (aka., fake leather seats) I didn't need.

Once upon a time, back in the 1960s, seat belts were an option but my Dad bought after-market seat belts and they worked when the Buick ran the red light and T-boned our International Travellall (a big, super SUV!) Once upon a time, back in the early 1990s, air bags were an option but now they are standard. The next step is accident avoidance systems that can apply the brakes when an inattentive driver is about to have an accident. These systems don't get tired or sleepy or even a little slow from whatever the driver has been doing. That is the path we could all embrace.

Bob Wilson

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