Hi MGBGT:
___With all do respect, please do not tell me what can or can not be accomplished in the real world. It isn’t worth your time or mine to discuss it as I drive the Chicago Interstates and suburban roads of all types each and every day. The year round FE in my automobile(s) speaks for themselves. I do not know how you drive but with a challenge like above, where do you want me to go? As for the 13 second comment, I see the odd Geo Metro, Prius I, and thousands of OTR trucks and you can bet they are not pulling < 13 seconds to 60 simply because their rides are not capable. If they drive on the same roads you do, why are you pushing < 13 seconds to 60? Then we have the “Quite Dangerous” aspect … FAS’s, DWL, Distant, Surf, and Traffic Side drafts, Rabbit and General timing, Parking Potential, Ball-in-the-bowl acceleration and decelerations are quite dangerous? When used appropriately, when are they dangerous?

___Could you tell me where in this country there is an 80 miles per hour speed limit and then tell me that 50% of the OTR drivers are running at that speed which you assume they must? I know the OTR drivers have far lower limits then 80 miles per hour and except for a few places out west, I don’t think they could afford the tickets as that would be the end of their livelihood.

___In regards to revised EPA ratings, I have an opinion that they are to low but that is because I make it my goal to crush them each and every time I turn the key. Does it really matter what is on the sticker? This country as a whole cannot hit the EPA combined while driving down the freeway at the speed limit and until each and every automobile is game gauge equipped showing the average driver that his or her FE truly does suck, it doesn’t really matter what is or is not revised. With a hybrid, the average Joe has a shot at 45 - 60 + mpg. With their other automobiles, not even the remotest chance. I wish we had the Japanese/Euro cycles on the Mulroney as Hypermiling would be the ultimate challenge

___Let me discuss the real world delta’s from a maximum perspective instead of a minimum … The non-hybrid Accord’s maximum FE over a tank = 52 mpg while EPA rated 24/34 mpg. This is 179% of the EPA combined. The Insight’s maximum FE over a tank is 109 mpg while EPA rated 61/70 mpg. This is 166% of the EPA combined. The Prius II’s maximum FE over a tank is 110.0 mpg while EPA rated 61/50. This is 198% of the EPA combined. I think I could eek out another 1 to 2 mpg out of the Insight out on the highway knowing today what I did not know back then but who knows? In either case, you have 2 hybrid’s hanging right where they should when compared to one of the higher FE capable non-hybrid’s with my maximum viewpoint instead of a minimum one. The driving conditions for the Prius II were much different then the Insight which was different then what my Accord sees day to day but the results show when the respective automobile is pushed to its respective maximum using its most advantageous driving mode/method/technique, the percentages work out to just about neutral when comparing one against another.

___EPA ratings are used for comparison given the driving habits they were designed to (quite some time ago as you already know) vs. the actuals of today which does place the average Joe at a disadvantage. It does not mean Average Joe has to accept those lousy numbers as gospel. CR’s performs real world test cycles (City/Highway/150 mile highway) and with them, the Prius II received an overall FE average of 44 mpg. This is to be just a tad lower then what you are receiving currently? CR states that what they receive is ~ what their average reader receives and you can bet their average reader doesn’t have a clue about how we push automobiles and tanks here at GH. Did you know the Honda Accord w/ Auto received 16/38 mpg (city/150 mile highway) vs. its 24/34 EPA? The Chevrolet Impala LS a terrible 12/25 mpg (city/150 mile highway) vs. its 20/30 EPA? Ouch … Thank god you are driving a Hybrid given the Prius II nailed down 35/48 mpg in those same (city/150 mile highway) test cycles!
___I agree with you 110%

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net