The Honda Insight claims 123@1000 and the Prius claims 82@4200 Big difference or so it appears what do these numbers mean to a driver. How will this difference make it self known to the driver that does not know what torque means.
Be sure you’re not comparing apples and oranges…Is this the torque produced by the gasoline engine or electric drive motor?
Also, don’t take these published figures as Gospel.
For drivability the shape of the torque curve matters as much as the peak values. Plus, with an electric motor it’s easy to shape the torque curve because electric motors (unlike ICE) can generally deliver full torque down to near-zero speed.
Bottom line: You can’t tell anything from comparing those torque@rpm numbers.
I agree with Caddyman.
However, if we begin with the assumption that you are indeed comparing apples to apples, these figures would indicate that the Insight should have much better acceleration from a standing start. However, it is also possible that the Insight would not be good with acceleration once it is up to highway speed, since its torque had peaked so early in the rpm curve.
That being said, since electric motors develop their peak torque when starting up, I suspect that the Insight’s torque figure is based on the electric motor plus the gas engine, and that the Prius’ torque figure is based on solely the gas engine. In other words, the OP is probably comparing apples and oranges. At least, that is my theory–subject to being shot down in flames.
The numbers were listed at the Honda Insight website. I don’t know if theya re mixing apples and oranges or not. I do not know if they are both for their respective ICE or their electric motors. I am impressed with the Toyota’s hill climbing ability with the only the electric motor.
Even if the numbers are both for the internal combustion engines, you are still not comparing apples to apples. Honda’s and Toyota’s hybrids are completely different. Toyota’s run mainly on the electric motor, with the gas engine charging the batteries and providing extra power. Honda’s hybrid runs on the gas engine and the electric motor is only used when extra power is needed. So the horsepower and torque ratings don’t tell you anything.
The only way to compare the two vehicles is to drive them both and judge for yourself.
The other thing to consider is the kind of driving you do. Honda’s hybrids get better fuel economy on the highway and Toyota’s hybrids get better fuel economy in stop and go driving. Will you be doing mainly highway driving or stop and go driving?
I think it’s a bit of apples and oranges. That Prius number is for the IC engine, I think, and doesn’t include the electric one. The new Pruis has 105 ft-lb at 4000 rpm and 153 ft-lb listed for the electric motor, with no total listed. It sounds like the Insight number is for the total, or maybe just for the electric motor.
With the Prius is the figure claiming 82 max torque at 4200? If yes that is a engine that has its torque figure moved way up in the RPM band for some reason.
Being Prius ignorant I must ask, does the Prius engine spend a lot of its time at a certain RPM (it doesn’t move around a lot)? What I am getting at is the Prius engine just being used to charge the battery? (this could explain the high RPM figure).
The ICB engine in the Prius serves two functions. It charges the battery and supplies extra power when the electric motor needs a little extra help.
I wonder why Toyota needs to run the engine so fast. This RPM requirement must have come after a lot of design so I don’t think it is by accident.
The Prius engine is used to generate electricity is the Insight engine used in the same way? I would think not, the Insight engine must be used to actually move the car? set me right here.
Camshafts have lift and duration numbers too. They have nothing to do with driving. Forget the numbers and drive.
Honda’s hybrids run primarily off the internal combustion engine and only use the electric motor for extra power when it is demanded.
I must admit that I am speaking of the way the original Insight and the Civic hybrid worked. I don’t know if Honda has kept from this system in the new Insight.
To answer your question, it will make itself known to the driver that does not know what torque means the same way it will make itself know to the driver who does know what torque means…in its performance.
But I agree with the others, you’re comparing two wholly different designs. They need to each be driven. Ignore the numbers.
Torque is twist - it’s the ability to get the wheels in motion. High low-RPM torque means better acceleration (or better towing capacity). High-RPM torque means little.
Both manufacturers are posting the peak torque number, but that means next to nothing. If the Honda generates peak torque (123) from 1000 to 4000 RPM, then it will have good (and consistent) acceleration. If it only generates 123 from 1000 to 1500 RPM, and then generates 30 ft-lb, then it will surge on accleration but then slow.
By the same token, if the Prius generates 80 ft-lbs at 1000 RPM and maintains it to 4200, it will have consistent acceleration. If it doesn’t reach 30 ft-lbs until 3800 RPM, it will be sluggish.
Keep in mind, these are rather low torque numbers, but electric motors are torquey and almost always going to be used by the hybrid on initial acceleration.