New Member Here! Auris Hsd As Family Car? Long Post!

[Nicolai]

BTW: is there any differences between HSD models from 2012 compared to 2010 models? For example the 12 models being able to drive faster in EV mode etc.?

[Hybrid Harbour]

If you keep the economy gauge in the lower green band then the petrol engine will not cut in unless its needed to heat the car or to charge the Battery.

You can maintain 40mph without the engine cutting, although not for long.

As with any CVT transmission, if you accelerate hard it will rev quite high, the trick is to give it a short burst and then back off the throttle, or just to accelerate more slowly and drive economically.

The Honda hybrids are not full hybrids, they use the petrol engine all the time and it is assisted by a built in electric motor, which is why they are called IMA, integrated motor assist.

[ashpole]

I seen comments about keeping the petrol engine off before. Please remember, power to move a Prius or Auris HSD comes from just two places: the petrol engine and regen braking; so it's inevitable that the engine plays a huge part in moving the car, it's how its used that is important.

Also, don't worry too much about accelerating with the engine off, but it certainly helps to persuade the petrol engine to cut-out when going downhill.

[johalareewi]

BTW: is there any differences between HSD models from 2012 compared to 2010 models? For example the 12 models being able to drive faster in EV mode etc.?

Not really. The 2012 prius is mainly a facelift. The hybrid drive is unchanged.

The plug in Prius can go faster in EV mode but that is a new model from 2012 (and much more expensive).

In the review, he says that the engine is a bit coubik (I agree), but that putting your foot down gives much pulling power. This wasn´t what I felt. I felt the car was sluggish in Eco Mode and only slightly more responsive in PWR mode.

The main effect of the PWR / ECO / Normal (ie PWR and ECO off) modes is the accelerator pedal response. In ECO mode, you have to press the pedal a long way for anything to happen and it will seem very sluggish compared with a normal car. PWR mode is the opposite. Just touch the pedal and the acceleration kicks in. The thing to note is that whatever mode you are in, when the accelerator pedal is pressed all the way to the floor, you get 100% acceleration.

An added bonus of ECO mode is the aircon / heating / engine warm up is adjusted to use less fuel / energy.

[Nicolai]

Could someone give their opinion on the normal 1.6 petroal auris with & SPEED multi mode? I've read a lot of bad things about multi mode but that has been primarily the 5 speed vers. From what I understand, the MM from Toyota is equal to the Automated Manual Transmission in my Swift except the M/M having 6 gears instead of 5 in the Swift.

Naturally, the 1.6 MPGs are different but the price is 1/6 cheaper than the HSD. I don't believe my anual milage will exceed 12,500 miles when driving much and 9,000 normally. Thing is, if I buy the HSD, I will buy it too expensive as the saved fuel cost won't make up for the higher price til after 8 years of driving.

[johalareewi]

My limited experience of Toyota MMT has been enough for me to steer clear. It may have improved recently. The Hybrid Auris has the HSD so there is no MMT box.

You might get some more info if you also post in the Auris forum?

[Joseph D]

Nicolai, if cost is an issue, why not consider a 1.5 or 2 yo pre-owned car? If you buy off Toyota, you will still have some warranty and the car is brought up to a decent standard before going on the lot, so you can get the best of both worlds.

I, personally, would never buy a car new, but that's just me.

[johalareewi]

... and the car is brought up to a decent standard before going on the lot...

Well not always according to a recent poster.

I wonder if she got her problems sorted in the end?

[Joseph D]

Well not always according to a recent poster.

I wonder if she got her problems sorted in the end?

As always when buying anything pre-owned, caveat emptor - "Let the buyer beware."