Quote:
|
Originally Posted by kenny
I gotta disagree.
Getting 2 tons of metal from 0 to any speed more quickly has to take more energy than a more gradual change of speed.
|
Well, the energy required to accelerate to any speed will be the same (1/2 mass*velocity^2). The difference between accelerating slowly or rapidly will be the relative efficiency of the engine (engine RPM/load).
Quote:
|
I accelerate like a snail and average 62.9 MPG in my 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid which has an EPA of 50 MPG.
|
I mentioned the GS as somewhat of a special case. A higher displacement engine will produce more power at, say ~2000 RPM (or whatever the ideal is) than a smaller one, so the most efficient acceleration rate will be faster for such a vehicle. The HCH-I has an engine sized as small as practically possible, to minimize pumping loss when cruising, so would reach its peak efficiency at a fairly low power output compared to the v6 engine in the Lexus.