Lexus RX 400h Hybrid 2008
This vehicle has arrived on the scene without all the hybrid save the world hype. What we have here is a luxury SUV that delivers economical petrol use and is very very quiet.
The nuts and bolts, this Lexus is just like driving a carX golf buggy. Engine is a 3.3 WTi quad cam V6 with 200kw of power. If CO2 emissions are your thing this engine according to Toyota produces 192 grams/km that is about 50%-60% better than any other similar engines on the market.
This Lexus RX-400h is gadget mans heaven, just
the sound system makes me want to get my 6 year old to explain how
it works.(240W audio amp, AM/FM radio-cassette yes I said
cassette + 6 disc CD multi changer system with ASL ( auto sound
level)
The complicated stuff..
The Lexus RX 400h also has a terrific compound planetary gear set in the hybrid transaxle which acts both as a power split device and electronically control continuously variable transmission for the front wheels. The hybrid transaxle also has a generator allowing this vehicle to store energy in high voltage batteries. The rear wheels are electrically driven for take off and acceleration. The vehicles dynamics integrated management system can direct the rear electric motor to provide torque to the rear wheels to maintain vehicle stability. To understand this in plain non Toyota speak the car is designed to go really well.
This is not a new idea as the USA has had this vehicle since 2005 and sales have been in the vicinity of 33,000 of the hybrid Lexus.
SULEV
The pollution aspect is probably not the biggest positive this vehicle has for its buyers but I like the category that it falls into and that is SULEV. Toyota love this stuff and what this means is a Super Low Emmissions Vehicle. You will in time hear more of that acronym.
I don't need to elaborate on the safety features or gizmos this SUV has but rest assured its state of art tech and design.
To summaries Lexus you have done well , this SUV is up there with BMW X5 and Mercedes and you can have a nice social trendy conscience knowing you are doing your bit to reduce CO2 and use less fuel.
Note fuel consumption 8.1 lt/100km
