Hot in the Lot
A "Green" Ride
NEIRAD enilno edition
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Take a stroll down the DHS parking lot and you’re sure to see senior Kelly Randall’s somewhat spaceship-like black 2008 Toyota Prius parked front and center. Kelly’s family purchased the Prius this past spring in hopes of providing their daughter with a fuel efficient vehicle to combat these gas-gouging times. The Prius is known for its ridiculously good gas mileage which is advertised to be about 50+ MPG. Although Kelly isn’t getting quite 50 MPG: Kelly says her average has been about 45 MPG.
When I asked Kelly about her favorite features of the car she explained, “I like how you don’t have to put the key in the ignition.” This feature can be found in many luxury car brands, ie BMW, where all the driver has to do is have the key inside of the car, press the start button, and the engine fires up! “I also like how it’s good for the environment,” Kelly explained.
The Prius’ gas engine is a 1.5 liter DOHC inline four cylinder cranking out a 76 HP and 82 lb. ft. of torque. The car retails for around $21,500. Unlike most vehicles though the Prius is equipped with hybrid synergy drive which turns off the gasoline motor at low speeds and at idle and runs the car on the electric motor. The electric motor of the Prius cranks out 67 HP and 295 lb. ft. of torque-not much, but good for 45 MPG!
Other things Kelly loves about the Prius are the shifter; the digital readout (which tells the driver how much gas they have left, average gas mileage, current gas mileage, and the battery's current charge), and the park and power buttons (which the driver presses to turn on the vehicle, and to put the car into park).
Kelly’s car can go about 400 miles on one tank, which usually lasts her almost three weeks! All in all Kelly loves the Prius said there is no other car she’d rather have.
If you think your car is “Hot in the Lot” shoot Automotive Editor Charles Spivey an email at neirad@darienps.org. Happy motoring!
If you think Kelly's car is cool, check out "Hybrid Hype" in the November print edition for more green car coverage. (see page 14)
