Can A BMW M3 Actually Get Better Mileage Than A Toyota Prius?

The other day I was flipping through a few of the older Top Gear Episodes and ran across and interesting comparison of two polar opposites, the Toyota Prius vs. a BMW M3.

Yeah I know what you are going to say, the M3 would slaughter the Prius, Well of course the M3 would trounce the Prius if power was premise, but this was different.  In this case they ran the 4 cylinder Hybrid Prius through their Top Gear track with the brawny and admittedly thirsty M3 following behind.  The theory here was that if the Prius was driven flat out the far larger and heavier M3 could actually get better mileage because it was driven with a lighter foot.

On the surface this appears to quite plausible if both cars were strictly non hybrid, but logic would tell me that the hybrid nature of the Prius should become a decided advantage.    Especially considering several individual analysis's over the last few years have brought into question the true lack of green in the manfacturing process of a Hybrid.  With that said, a reasonable mind might dictate that the upside of this equation is that the effect of agressive driving style can be minimized by technology and the end result is a greener car in the long run.

Watch the video and see just how much driving style can effect your level of green and think about that the next time a hybrid car blows past you on the highway.




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