I am posting this after seeing the question on another forum (edmunds/carspace)...

Toyota's specs list the power output of the electric MOTOR at 105 kW, which equates to around 140 HP. They then rate the TRACTION BATTERY at 40 HP, and the ICE at 147 HP, with a net of 187 HP.

If this is accurate, why is the electric motor they use so powerful when the battery can only supply 40 HP? Is this because the electric motor can be driven by both battery AND the ouput of the generator? Or is it a higher power motor to be able to feed more back into the battery during regeneration? This last one doesn't make sense, as my understanding is that there are really 2 electric "motors" - referred to as MG1 and MG2 - where one drives the wheels, and one is used as a generator. I could be completely wrong here! I can't find the writeup where I read this stuff...

The Prius has similar (albeit lower) ratings, but the numbers don't add up at all:
ICE: 76hp (57kW)
Elect Motor: 67hp (50kW)
Battery: 28hp (21kW)

They list the total (net) at 110hp.

None of these numbers add up to 110! (76+28=104)

Spiff, not too sure on all the techno stuff but I found gobs of information on the Prius Threads

I am very interested in this too!

Combined power is calculated (as obviously seen) as a sum from two sources, the ICE and battery.

The MG1 and MG2 are just part of the transmission system that relays the power to the ground.

The max power that the MG2 can generate is slightly above 100Kw.

The MG2 gets power from either battery or MG! via ICE.

Power produced from ICE is always split at the PSD.

One goes thru the electrical route (MG1 to MG2 or to battery)

The second part is thru a direct mechanical route (about 72% of torque from ICE). This mechanical route is very efficient at about more 95%.

Depending on road speed. Power from ICE can go to the MG2 to as much as 100% to 0% (when rerouted to the battery).

At standstill, the ICE is programmed not to produce excess power to protect both the battrey and the electric motors.