Geneva motor show 2010: Lexus CT200h - new pics

MrTrilby wrote:

Moe, can you carry on with your GCSE science lesson?

moe360 wrote:

MOst of the current hybrid cars are rubbish and slow and boring

When you say most... the only hybrids on sale in the UK are from Lexus, Toyota or Honda. Now admittedly the Honda is pretty slow, with a 0-60 of 12.5 seconds. That's a second slower than a Golf Bluemotion. But the slowest Toyota is a second quicker than the Golf, and the slowest Lexus, at 7.8 secs, is 3 seconds quicker.

Are they boring? Probably. But a Golf Bluemotion isn't exactly exciting either is it?

moe360 wrote:

More weight due to heavy battery packs

A Prius is 50kgs heavier than the slower and smaller Golf Bluemotion. 50kgs lighter than the larger and slower VW Passat Bluemotion. Compare the Prius with the 2 litre diesel Golf and the Golf is heavier by 4kgs. As ever, it depends entirely on what you compare with, but I see little evidence that the hybrid is significantly heavier.

moe360 wrote:

More complicated systems which will cost more to repair if something goes wrong service cost will be higher

More complicated than the high pressure fuel injection and particulate filters that diesels need? It seems we read many complaints of pumps and injectors failing, and particulate filters needing attention. I've not seen any criticism of the reliability of Toyota or Honda's hybrid drivetrains. As far as servicing costs go, you appear to be talking from a position of pure ignorance. Other than an unfortunately short service interval of 10k miles, our Prius doesn't appear to need any special attention or cost.

moe360 wrote:

Hybrid cars always show amazing figures on paper but in the read world they are rubbish compared to a car which runs on the black stuff.

In my experience of actually owning and driving both, I find that they're about the same. Depending on what size you're comparing and what sort of driving you do. Certainly to suggest a hybrid is "rubbish" sounds like either ignorance, or a rather biased opinion.

It sounds to me like you don't like hybrids for whatever reason, which is fair enough. But your reasons seem entirely subjective which again is fair enough - but don't try justifying them with inaccurate factual claims or misleading comparisons.

Everything that Mr Trilby said.

And, like him, I've got direct experience of driving a hybrid (the Prius); in my case over nearly 80,000 miles. I've also driven VAG diesels of various capacities and in various models, so, like Mr Trilby, I speak from a position of experience and objectivity, not ignorant bias.

Back to school for you, Moe.