Al Gore's son arrested for drugs, speeding in hybrid - GreenHybrid

Katz6768 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 11:51 AM

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl...rnational/home

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canadian Globe and Mail newspaper

LOS ANGELES — The 24-year-old son of former Vice President Al Gore was arrested for drug possession on Wednesday after he was stopped for allegedly speeding in his hybrid Toyota Prius, a sheriff's official said.

Al Gore III – whose father is a leading advocate of policies to fight global warming – was driving his environmentally friendly car at about 160 kilometres per hour on a freeway south of Los Angeles when he was pulled over by an Orange County sheriff's deputy at about 2:15 a.m.

queenfan · #2 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 01:35 PM

I didn't realize Priuses (Priusae?) could go that fast. I have to say that I think it's hilarious that right before his dad's big Live Earth thingie he gets press for being wasteful and wasted.

Alex A · #3 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 04:31 PM

"Prius" is a latin verb, therefore Priuses.

160 kph (as stated in the news story) is about 100 mph.

I've never pressed the gas pedal anywhere near the floor on my Prius, and have never gone over about 80 mph (and that was down one heck of a hill).

However, I remember reading (I think hidden deep in Toyota's website FAQ about the Prius a few years ago) that one shouldn't "sustain" more than 100 mph in a Prius, implying that the short-term top speed might be somewhat higher than that.

Delta Flyer · #4 (**permalink**) 07-04-2007, 06:57 PM

it's an inconvient truth...

ut0piaseeker · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Unless you're @ Bonneville - Record shows that the Prius hit 130 mph ! ;O)

http://www.toyota.com/html/hybridsyn...onneville.html

Looks like the poor kid fell victim to the Orange Curtain ;o/

Alex A · #6 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 10:02 AM

The 130 mph Prius @ Bonneville had a much taller gear ratio - a totally stock Prius couldn't get anywhere near that. Interesting that there is enough power to get that high, anyway. Good aerodynamics help.

livvie · #7 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 12:36 PM

I have had my hch at 115mph... a big hill helped.

spartybrutus · #8 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by livvie

I have had my hch at 115mph... a big hill helped.

did that result in a 36 mile "glide"?

AshenGrey · #9 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 01:36 PM

I guess he never read about hypermiling, ha ha! I wonder what gas mileage he was getting at 100 mph?

livvie · #10 (**permalink**) 07-05-2007, 01:42 PM

I was going from Hudson, NH to Macungie, PA. I averaged 37.3 mpg but did the trip in 4.5 hrs which included 2 tolls and a 10 minute rest stop. I believe my calculated average was 90mph. This also included 3 adults in the car along with luggage for a long weekend.