Toyota Prius
Casey Williams, www.car-data.com
I had to chuckle when I opened up the CNN website this week to see former Vice President AlGore’s son, Al Gore III, on the first page. Apparently, and you’re going to love this, he waspulled over driving a Toyota Prius 100 mph. That in itself was too much. But, when he one-touchedhis window down, the officer smelled hash roiling inside. I know his dad is all about being green,but I don’t think this is what he had in mind. There were also some unexplained prescription drugsthat will undoubtedly require ‘splaining.
I’ll admit to you here, but not to any authorities, that I’ve driven a Prius 100 mph. Downhill.With a tailwind. In the Appalachian foothills of Tennessee. All I can say is that the junior Gorewas going whole hash through fairly steep roads in Southern California to achieve triple-digits.That I can explain. I have nothing to say about the stash. Never saw it. Not saying anything.
Perhaps The Weedster paid for his steaming crop with the greenbacks he saved driving a Prius.The little hybrid that could and did gets 60/51 mpg city/highway. Unlike the drugs, we can explainthe lopsided fuel economy ratings. The Prius is a parallel hybrid, meaning it can run on batteries,a 1.5-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine, or both. At less than chase speeds, like creepingthrough morning traffic, it can run on battery alone. When flying like a crop duster, or whileaccelerating hard, the batteries and electric motor act like an electronic supercharger. Batteriesare recharged from the gas engine and through generators in the braking system. You do not plug ina Prius. A continuously variable transmission with pulleys and belts sends power to the frontwheels. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes, traction control, and electronic stability control keep thesmoke blowing in the right direction.
Drivers and passengers ride inside a high-tech space capsule that somehow comes off as friendlyas a Volkswagen Beetle. Touch screen controls for the in-dash navigation, six-disc CD changerattached to JBL speakers, XM Satellite Radio, automatic climate control, energy tracker, and tripcomputer function like a Lexus LS 600h’s, which is to say amazingly simply for so many circuits. Abackup camera keeps you out of the real weeds while Bluetooth connectivity syncs cell phones withthe car for hands free calling. All gauges, including a digital speedometer, are placed in thecenter of the dash at the base of the windshield. Passengers sit high and enjoy almost mid-sizespace while a rear hatch and fold down seats allow bicycles to enter with ease, and when combinedwith a large center console for front seats and storage bins in the doors, would hold an outrageousnumber of spiked brownies.
Everything about the car is easy. Like high-end luxury cars, the Prius is equipped with keylessentry, starting, and locking. Put the key fob in your pocket and the car automatically recognizesyou. In a short time, you forget you ever used keys. The steering wheel has buttons for the audio,climate control, and cruise functions. Two other buttons on the dash start the car and put it inpark. On the road, the Prius easily stirs the pot to 80 mph. Getting extra power from the batteriesis serene and feels like a gentle wind pressed against the back of the car. Noise is virtuallynon-existent.
Every Prius owner I’ve ever known loves his or her car. Like an iPOD, once you get over theinitial technology shock, you find the Prius amazingly simple for all of its technologicalsophistication. It is the car of the future, here today ‘ and available to get you from A to B orfrom home to court. Please leave the wacky tobaccy at home if you decide to test the limits ofvelocity. Burn electrons, but pass on the grass. Considering all of the utility, gadgets, andfuel-saving technology in the Prius, an as tested price of $28,344 seems a bargain. No other caroffers so much for so little. Just ask The Weedster.
