V8-Power and Compact Car Fuel Economy Combine in Attractive Luxury Package
If you happen to be caught between doing the right thing and not wanting to give up life's luxuries, Lexus has the answer for at least one of your conundrums.
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| The new Lexus RX 400h hybrid gasoline-electric crossover sport utility will go on sale in April. (Photo: Lexus) |
Its new RX 400h hybrid gasoline-electric crossover sport utility, based on the popular RX 330 gasoline-only powered SUV, will go on sale in April.
While it gets the best fuel economy in its class and emits the least toxic fumes, the world's first luxury hybrid sport utility isn't all about producing clean emissions and saving fuel. Rather, Lexus has used its Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system to improve performance, endowing the midsize SUV with V8-like acceleration to go along with its 4-cylinder fuel consumption and Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) emissions rating.
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| The world's first luxury hybrid sport utility isn't only about producing clean emissions and saving fuel. (Photo: Lexus) |
"Fuel efficiency and low emissions are important elements of hybrid vehicle technology, but the new Lexus RX 400h demonstrates another feature - performance," commented Stuart Payne, Director responsible for Lexus in Canada.
The new 2006 RX 400h combines the RX 330's 3.3-litre V6 engine and a high-torque electric-drive motor-generator, as well as an electric-drive motor-generator in the rear for true all-wheel drive characteristics. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission puts power down to the road, allowing the RX 400h to jump to 100 km/h in less than 8 seconds, matching and even surpassing most V8-powered luxury SUV rivals.