Posted on 07/10/2007 12:38:07 PM PDT by hardback
As yet another tale of celebrity spawn gone wild, the arrest Wednesday of Albert Gore III -- son of the former vice president -- on suspicion of drug possession was routine except for one, rather mind-blowing detail:
Gore was clocked in a blue Toyota Prius hybrid traveling on the southbound Golden State Freeway in Orange County, Calif., in excess of 100 m.p.h.
"One hundred and five, actually," said Orange County sheriff's spokesman Jim Amormino. "I think it's slightly downhill there."
The former vice president Thursday declared his love for his son, said Albert III was receiving treatment and added that the family was "going to leave it as a private matter."
Gore's cruel caning of Toyota's greener-than-thou hybrid -- powered by a small four-cylinder engine and electric motor that together produce about 125 horsepower -- rippled through talk radio and the blogosphere Thursday. Many were simply amazed.
"How in the world do you get a Prius to go 100 m.p.h. without a cliff to go over?" asked Rush Limbaugh.
Others wondered if the episode represented some kind of viral marketing coup for Toyota.
"Everybody must realize the incredible serendipity effect the Al Gore Jr. [III, actually] in-a-Toyota-Prius-going-100-m.p.h. story will have on this car?" said one of dozens of posters on a heavily trafficked Priuschat.com Web site. "If Toyota is smart, they'll have a specially prepared Prius Pace Car for the next Indy 500."
Actually, the Prius -- unofficial merit badge of environmentally conscious Californians and officially the most fuel-efficient car on the road -- is capable of going even faster, according to Mike Michels, spokesman for Toyota.
But the car, which uses an electric booster, is speed-limited to 103 m.p.h. to avoid depleting the battery.
"It can go 103 m.p.h. indefinitely," he said. At least until the gas runs out.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Maybe it had a Flux Capacitor!
I agree, we all like to rank on the little thing (How much of a price premium to get 10 actual mpg more?) but it CAN do 105 or better.
It’s not a bad car, and it’s REALLY neat to drive.
I don’t doubt it at all.
I had a similar experience. While I was driving 70 - 75 mph, a Prius zipped past on my left. Had to have been going 90+ mph. With the electric motor, they probably get up to that top speed faster than an average 4-cylinder economy car, too.
Underground Prius racing clubs know that if you string 105 9 volt batteries in series you can acheive 100 mph going downhill with the interior stripped clean and at altitude
It probably has to do with a couple of factors. One, neither offspring has ever had to work at a real job. They have never grown up into the adult world. They think just like their fathers did before them, Daddy will provide. And, in Algore III's case, the poor guy never had a chance to not be a nitwit. Too many genes from Daddy.
A Flux Capacitor is useless without 1.21 Gigawatts.
I’m leaning more towards an Over-Thruster myself.
The first rule of Prius Fight Club!
The only way a Prius could pass me is if I allowed it to.
http://www.caranddriver.com/roadtests/7701/toyota-prius-page4.html
ACCELERATION Seconds
Zero to 30 mph 3.4
40 mph 5.6
50 mph 8.2
60 mph 11.3
70 mph 15.3
80 mph 20.5
90 mph 27.6
100 mph 39.6
Street start, 5–60 mph 11.3
Top-gear acceleration, 30–50 mph 5.5
50–70 mph 7.9
Standing 1/4-mile 18.3 sec @ 76 mph
Top speed (governor limited) 104 mph
Um, I believe the electric is only there to handle the low-speed part. Or something like that.
I was passed by a Prius on the 405 the other day that had to be doing around 85 - 90 miles per hour. I thought the guy was going to hit me as he roared up on my tail and darted between me in the fast lane and another car to my left in the carpool lane. Not very Eco friendly, if you ask me.
I mean no disrespect to your parents, but I’ll never understand why elderly people drive so slow. Time should be of the essence to them.
_________
None taken, as I was the one to bring them into this discussion.
The hill I spoke of is my driveway. I had to keep the dogs inside for fear that they would drift backwards, they were going so slow.
I think the world should be a lot happier knowing my mom drives slow.
Hmm. 0-60 in 11.3 and the 1/4 in 18.3 seconds.
Quite the speed demon, isn’t it?
I doubt there aren’t too many cars in its class that *can’t* go 100mph.
I briefly considered dropping down a gear or two and stomping him, but reconsidered when I realized how silly it would sound during a bench-racing session.
Have you ever had a ride in a Prius? There's an LCD panel in the center of the upper dashboard which serves as a multifunction video screen. In addition to radio station info, etc., it can also display a "power flow" animated graphic. I wonder what the screen shows when the car is pushed to its maximum speed? This, perhaps?:
Yep, and driving an Oldsmobile Bravia (SUV), no less. During the Florida Recount, IIRC.
Al and Tipper used the same "We're dealing with this as a family matter" tap-dance back then, too.
Search FR for the words Al Gore's son"; you'll find the articles.
“A Flux Capacitor is useless without 1.21 Gigawatts.”
No, no, no. 1.21 Jiggawatts :)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.