Revs and cold engines

[Gaz64]

Originally Posted by xb-60

On the same subject of revs and cold engines......something I've wondered about regarding hybrids (like a Honda Prius): if the car is running slowly in city traffic, so I assume it's running predominantly on battery power....and then the driver wants full power. The petrol engine is stone cold and it's being told to go flat out. It sounds like the sort of treatment for a cold engine that makes us car guys wince.
Is that what happens...or is there an electric heater that keeps the petrol engine's coolant hot, or what?
Just wondering....and no I'm not going to buy one.

Cheers,
Glen

The petrol engine in a lot of hybrids is a "generator set" and not connected to the driveline, so it won't be commanded to go flat out from cold.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by Gaz64

The petrol engine in a lot of hybrids is a "generator set" and not connected to the driveline, so it won't be commanded to go flat out from cold.

Haha, "Honda Prius" .....shows how much I know.

....but, from the Toyota Prius web page "The intelligent
management system seamlessly synergises the car’s
petrol engine with its electric motor so they support
each other or take over completely, depending on the
driving situation.
The electric motor in the Hybrid Synergy Drive®
system generates enough power to drive Prius on its
own. The petrol engine only kicks in when you call for
more power, accelerate hard or cruise at high speed" ....so it doesn't appear to be a 'gen-set'

I'm probably misinterpreting something....

Cheers,
Glen