[Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

Sat Jul 25 09:12:24 UTC 2009

This accident avoid=ance system is being advertised on e of the MB sport
utes.  I think that it is the ML350 that systems seat belts, rolls up
windows, applies brakes etc.  Thanks for your most interesting posts, Bob.
I have ridden in a Camry and a Ford Escape, which I believe to be an awful
car for a passenger with a guide dog and there is NO room in there at all
and a terribly high entry step in back.  Tight seating and inefficient
interior planning, you know.  

But, whatever the case may be, hybrids are here to stay, whether they be a
stopgap to energy efficient cars in this country or not.  You have done a
great job in keeping us informed and, whether this is a plausible vehicle
for the future matters little here.  It's successful, safe and we're all
working on a commitment to finding a solution for safety for all pedestrians
blind or not.  Thanks again, my friend.  

-----Original Message-----
From: quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:quietcars-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Robert Wilson
Sent: Friday, July 24, 2009 9:33 PM
To: quietcars at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [Quietcars] Regression testing 2010 Prius

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

_________________________________________________________________
NEW mobile Hotmail. Optimized for YOUR phone.  Click here.
http://windowslive.com/Mobile?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_CS_MB_new_hotmail_072009
_______________________________________________
Quietcars mailing list
Quietcars at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/quietcars_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
Quietcars:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/quietcars_nfbnet.org/mrtownsend%40opto
nline.net