Hi Dianne:
___Thanks for the detailed upcoming Hybrid Highlander post … I think most of the above is now available on the
Toyota Highlander --> Hybrid linked “Macromedia Flash” website now?
___In any case, I hope Toyota has better then just 8 seconds to 60 in mind for the Hybrid Highlander and even higher mileage and range from a possible 19.1 + gallon tank. I currently own a ULEV-II rated 03 Acura MDX and while on vacation last year, achieved an overall 25.24 mpg average over 4,645 miles. This included ~ 5 days of around town w/ full A/C in the Phoenix/Glendale area proper (maximum August heat
) as well as climbing Pike’s Peak and touring many an area around the foothills and mountains of Colorado Springs on our way to Az. and back. If it weren’t for my wife’s and 20 yr. old son’s poor mileage driving skills (they had to run 65 - 75 and run the accelerator and brakes in and out at what seemed like a continual basis when they drove), the MDX would have easily been in the 28 - 29 mpg average range. It was loaded to the headliner with every possible amenity and gear you could think of for a 2 week cross country vacation as well.
___In any case, since the MDX’s 19.2 gallon tank is capable of holding just a tad under 23 gallons, a 600 mile range is almost a given when I drive the MDX while on the highway in cruise (driving w/ load and feathering the cruise in both directions while climbing and descending hills). An MDX is already capable of 0 - 60 in sub 8 seconds with the 03/04’s higher output 3.5 L V-6 non-Hybrid based ICE … I am not saying everyone can achieve that kind of mileage or range in this large an SUV but just that the MDX is already capable of what the Highlander appears to be reaching for in terms of mileage and/or range and the MDX is an overall much larger and heavier automobile from the start?
___The following link might give you some basis for the discussion above and below …
“
You aren’t going to believe this …”
Code:
Miles driven Miles/gallon
Gallons Location
602.3 21.970 27.41465635 Champaign, IL.
563.1 22.900 24.58951965 Soloman, KS.
552.0 22.920 24.08376963 Cascade, CO.
562.7 22.139 25.41668549 Sanders, AZ.
281.2 08.570 32.81213536 Phoenix, AZ.
465.7 21.352 21.81060322 Gallup, NM.
638.8 21.384 29.87280210 Hinton, OK.
469.6 21.638 21.70256031 Cuba, MO.
509.9 21.200 24.05188679 Wadsworth, IL.
___As you can tell, I am a bit biased towards Honda’s and Acura’s w/ a little Ford PZEV enthusiasm thrown in for good measure. I also own an 03 Toyota Corolla LE so I am not entirely non-Toyota biased
___Good Luck
___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___
Waynegerdes@earthlink.net