May 20, 2009

Lexus Joins Battle of Hybrid SUVs

Lexus has completely redone its popular RX luxury crossover vehicle, and the new hybrid version of the vehicle is more sophisticated than ever. In response to the sophisticated technology General Motors offers with its two-mode hybrids, Toyota has fought back with a more advanced hybrid system of its own, although it fails to offer all the advantages of the GM system. In the 450h, the revised hybrid system combines a 3.5-liter gasoline engine running on the Atkinson cycle with a new, more efficient inverter to deliver 295 horsepower -- 27 more horsepower than the previous-generation model. In a quest for more efficiency, the new RX 450h uses an exhaust-heat recovery system and a cooled exhaust-gas recirculation system. The result is an improvement in both fuel economy and emissions.

You’ll be able to distinguish your RX hybrid from the gasoline-only versions by some of its unique styling features: an exclusive grille, hybrid badging including blue-trimmed Lexus logos, unique front bumper, a special 19-inch optional wheel design and blue-tinted headlamps and tail lamps. Inside, a key highlight is the Hard Disk Drive navigation system’s all-new "Remote Touch" controller that operates much like a computer mouse. Also included is a new casual language voice-recognition system that acknowledges conversational commands. Safety highlights include the sophisticated Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management and radar pre-collision system, which prepares your car’s seat belts if it senses that a collision is imminent. Suggested retail price for the new RX 450h is around $44,000.