My take on the i-FORCE Max Hybrid System

That’s because some of us have dealt with mopar in the past.

 

We know. We know. If it’s not a Toyota it sucks.

 

Found some tech videos on the differences between plug-in and the i-Force Max.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxeslGpejkY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RmE5meXSME

 

Nah, love all kinds of makes. But Stellantis ain’t it

 

Are you suggesting that the RAV4 Prime runs ONLY in EV mode until it hits it's 42 mile range, and then switches over to ICE? And if a vehicle doesn't do this it's not a PHEV? That's ridiculous. It's a hybrid.

Hybrids use the ICE as needed regardless of the charge level of the battery. Their electric motors are intended to propel the vehicle under low demand conditions. A typical daily commute might use 80% electric with the ICE kicking in when more power is needed. Still a huge savings during the daily commute.

 

Guilty as charged.

 

Anyways, some great discussion going on here. I could be completely wrong. Actually, that is pretty likely.

Maybe I'm just looking for too much from Toyota on this hybrid implementation. Why add all the complexity for a mere short term power boost? It just doesn't feel right to me.

 

I am not, only in ideal conditions. Since my commute is mostly flat, would be very curious if I could do round trip in EV mode only. Have driven hybrids before, can get excellent mpgs out of them with my old man driving style. My aunt is a much more aggressive driver than me, was able to eke out an extra 10 mpgs while I was driving her Prius. Hers isn’t a Prime, however you could do EV mode if kept under 20 mph.

As others have said, don’t think the electric motor in the Tacoma is big enough to propel the truck on its own in EV only mode, so plugging it in is moot. Where-as their cars have the electric motors connected directly to the axles, less parasitic loss.

 

I’m pretty sure you can run only in electric mode until the battery is drained. The jeep 4xe are the same way.

 

Whose to say when they go PHEV they don't use a more powerful electric motor?

 

it’s in that Mike Sweers video I posted. He wanted a diesel for torque, corporate said no, hybrid boost was the compromise to get diesel like torque, unfortunately it doesn’t gain fuel efficiency like a diesel.

 

So if you are merging onto the highway the ICE is locked out? You sit there in fear as the semi approaches and kills you? Makes perfect sense to me.

 

They could, but my guess this current configuration is simply a stop gap measure until the BEV is released. Supposedly ‘26-27, so not far away in the big scheme of things.

 

The ice is never locked out, if batteries get too depleted, it automatically switches over to ice.

On the Toyotas there is an energy flow display, you can see where the power is being pulled from depending on conditions. It is actually really cool to play with, drive as gently as possible to get it to use more battery power. Not unlike watching the mpg gauge on my truck trying to eke out better mpgs, the gentler you drive the more efficient it becomes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1m43_IE85g

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLXKJbwaQMM

 

Lol you guys.

I have a 2023 Tundra Hybrid - 1794 TRD OR 4X4 version.

• It averages 18.x combined mpg and 12.x when towing my travel trailer. This is on CA winter blend piss, I mean fuel. This is better mileage than my 2017 Taco V6 did for a much lighter, smaller, and less capable truck.
• Hybrid - only is pretty much limited to creeping around parking lots, but I have been able use it that way in freeway stop and go traffic. Transition from battery to ICE is seamless.
• 583 lbs ft of torque at 2500 rpm is fun! The Tundra launches when you punch it and I struggle to keep it under 85 on the freeway. I had to constantly watch my speed on UT freeway to keep it at 70 while towing, it kept creeping up to 80+ without effort. The engine/transmission shifts well and it just loafs at freeway speeds.

Is it a Prius? No. It's a truck and it does a damned good job. Based on my Tundra experience I think the 4g Taco hybrid will be good and worth the wait.

 

Yes, this makes my point exactly. The ICE is never locked out. Gentle driving and you get 100% EV mode. Need more power? You get a blend of ICE and electric based on requested power. I have been saying this all along.

Oh and that video is cool as hell. Thanks for posting it. I love shit like that lol.

 

Again, thanks for the great discussion.

 

The Prime hybrids have EV mode, where the engine can turn on but only for a few conditions e.g. front defroster is on, speed > 84mph, full battery and going downhill and can't regenerative brake so needs engine braking, running out of battery charge, ... The Prius/Rav4/Camry/Corolla/... Prime's have big enough motors to run well on battery only. The non-Prime's have EV mode too even with their smaller electric motors, but at best it is maybe 2 miles range and it will switch on the engine at a low torque demand.

Just go by what Toyota intended for the truck hybrids - more torque. The mpg is a hair better. If they used a larger capacity battery, and more powerful motor, I agree, it could become Prime-like and have a rangeful EV mode.

 

If the e

If the electric motor or motors are big enough it shouldn’t be a problem.

 

Not in theoretical PHEV mode which was the whole point of your original post.