[mou] a car designed for birders

[Jeanie Joppru]

There had to be a downside! I guess it's a better "urban" birding car
than a crosscountry one. For awhile anyway I'll stick to my Toyota
Previa- another of Toyota's interesting ventures- one of the first
all-wheel drive vans. Its only disadvantage ( of course the mph is not
what it could be now as that figure has improved with newer cars) is the
low clearance, but it's dynamite on slippery roads and quite good if the
snow isn't too deep (good for turning around in tight quarters!).

Jeanie


-----Original Message-----
From: mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu [mailto:mou-net-admin@cbs.umn.edu] On
Behalf Of Tallman, Dan
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2003 4:34 PM
To: 'Michael Engh '; 'mou-net@cbs.umn.edu '
Subject: RE: [mou] a car designed for birders


=20
Don't count on the mph during Minnesota winters.  In fact, the Prius
does not achieve advertised mph during any season.  I am getting 30-35
this winter.  I guess that is ok.  I would agree with the other points.


However, deep snow and the Prius don't mix well.  Muddy roads also bring
the excitement back to driving.

dan tallman
Aberdeen, SD
-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Engh
To: mou-net@cbs.umn.edu
Sent: 3/7/03 11:44 AM
Subject: [mou] a car designed for birders

I've had the pleasure of driving my sister's gas/electric hybrid Toyota
Prius this past week. Its so cool that I just had to tell somebody about
it.

=20

Birding features:

1. 40-50 mpg. Save money on long bird chasing drives.

2. To my knowledge it's the only car you can get in MN which meets the
California SULEV standard (super ultra low emission). Minimize adding to
greenhouse gases which has the potential for dangerous changes in
habitat, food sources, migration patterns, etc.

3. Large windows, front and back for viewing and for holding most large
scope window mounts.

4. Now, for the coolest birding feature: when you pull over and stop at
side of the road, the gas engine automatically shuts off-no noise,
smells, or vibration to disrupt your viewing. Then, when you want to
pull ahead a little for a different viewing angle, the electric motor
silently moves the car-no ignition noise to scare those skittish
shorebirds. Only when you push harder on the accelerator does the gas
engine automatically start up for more power. As long as you move under
20 mph (depending terrain) and don't accelerate too much, the gas engine
stays off. You can run on just the electric motor for quite awhile with
no engine noise to interfere with hearing what's singing along the
roadside.

=20

Mike Engh

Wayzata

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