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Hybrid Cars2009 Lexus RX 400h
 Description:Thanks to the great recession and the escalating costs of fuel, it is getting tough to run a vehicle running on normal fuel nowadays. Add to it the global economic meltdown that has burnt deep holes in everyone’s pockets. All these factors have combined to increase the popularity of hybrid cars that also help to reduce pollution due to their low CO2 emission. The electric gas model of the RX 350 crossover car is known as the Lexus RX 400h. This SUV directly challenges environmental friendly SUV’s that cost lot more, a run for their money. In fact this vehicle offers innovations that are not available in its costlier cousins. The Lexus 400h is a midsize, luxury range, hybrid car that is available in either front drive or all-wheel drive. The 2008 model of this hybrid crossover includes a number of updates from previous models like chrome finished door handles, a novel front grill, a rear spoiler along with innovative finishing for its 18” wheels. As far as the mechanical systems are concerned, this vehicle is alike to its previous models. The Lexus 400h gets its power from a 3.3 liter V-6 model engine and boasts of the newest version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive. The front drive models of this car employ 2 separate electric generators and motors, one for the front axle and one for the rear axle, both working in tandem through a CVA (continuously variable automatic) transmission. The all wheel drive models have a separate 3rd electric motor that is used to drive the back wheels. The electric motor along with the engine together gives a combined output of 268 HP. The Lexus RX 400h can zip to 60 miles per hour in 7.3 seconds flat and has got the capacity to tow up to 3500 lbs. This vehicle has a fuel economy rating of 27 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway for its front drive models. The all wheel drive models provide 26 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway. The full hybrid system of this vehicle runs in different modes like electric only, gas only or both gas and electric combined. Tucked beneath the rear seats of the vehicle is a nickel metal hydride battery that stores energy. Thanks to its capability of using just battery power while in coasting, standing and light acceleration mode, the Lexus RX 400h helps conserve fuel. The quick take off and acceleration of this vehicle is amazing and it is even better that the gas powered Lexus RX 350. Performance wise, this vehicle is suited both for highway and city traffic. This car can attain speeds up to 30 MPH on electricity power and without consuming gas if the accelerator and other pedals are tapped carefully and correctly. Thanks to its excellent suspension, this car provides a smooth and relaxed ride, however this does not mean that the handling capabilities of this car have been compromised. 2009 Lexus LS 600h L
 Description:Owners of cars are a worried lot and they have every reason to be worried. For a long period of time costs of fuel have been increasing without respite and of late they have started pinching the pocket. With prices of fuel, in the recent past, inching up more than $125 per barrel, it is becoming painful to maintain a car. Add to that the huge financial recession all over the world and you have the perfect potboiler for greenhouse disaster. The CO2 emissions by standard vehicles are a cause of concern to all vehicle owners, especially since these emissions are damaging the health of both humans and the world we live in. If that is not enough, the reserves of natural fuel might not last more than a few more decades. Keeping this in mind, most vehicle manufacturers have started producing hybrid cars that run on alternative fuel. Not to be let behind, Lexus too has brought out a number of hybrid vehicles, including the Lexus LS 600h. However there are countless reasons why one should not go in for this vehicle and here are the main ones. While other like-minded vehicles are providing bigger and innovative engines, the Lexus LS 600h provides just a 5 liter V8 engine for its car to run on. This car provides just 430 horsepower that is equal to the power provided by 6 liter V12 vehicles. While this hybrid gets full marks as far as emissions are concerned, with its emission being 70% cleaner than the nearest competitor in its category, the big let down is the mileage. On an average the Lexus LS 600h provides 20 miles per gallon in both the city and on the highway, thereby defeating the very purpose of a hybrid. The Lexus LS 600h scores positively on vibration and noise levels that are approximately half of those in standard cars. The cabin of this hybrid is soundproof and to help you observe what is going on in the outside world, in the vicinity of your car, two cameras have been thoughtfully provided. They are combined with a radar system that can detect approaching humans and other objects. There is a 3rd camera mounted on the steering column. Try turning your head sidewise and this camera takes control. It alerts you with a flashing light and a chiming sound if any pedestrian, object or car gets too close to the car. To provide the best finish to the exterior of the car, they are hand-sanded two times during the process of painting. This vehicle is priced astronomically and you can easily purchase 4 Pruises for the same cost of one Lexus LS 600h. While there is no doubt about the technological marvel of this vehicle, it is out of sync with the times. When one purchases a hybrid vehicle, they do so to same on both money and fuel. They do not pay their hard earned money for a vehicle like the Lexus LS 600h that costs more than the competition and yet provides fewer miles per gallon 2009 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid
 Description:Just think about a 750 HP, 20,000 rpm vehicle stopping into a motor racing chicane (a `S’ shaped curve) or just zooming from standstill just on battery power. This is the future of Formula 1 racing which is planning to permit electric gas hybrid expertise in F1 competitions as early as the 2008-racing season. Vehicle shoppers can take the Lexus GS 450h for a test drive and get a taste of the future. While this new hybrid vehicle might not be able to compete with the Formula 1 cars as far as speed is concerned, the Lexus GS 450h gas electric hybrid provides both luxury and acceleration like racecars in a single package. When you sit behind the wheel of the $55,000 Lexus GS 450h, you’ll keep on thinking `hybrid’ all the way. Be prepared for a surprise since you’ll not find the tachometer. This car sports a kilowatts gauge instead of the tachometer. There is a display near the speedometer that shows the different states of charge of the battery. The screen of the center console will switch over to the hybrid mode, displaying the vehicle’s energy consumption. Just depress the accelerator lightly and the Lexus GS 450h will smoothly and silently move to speeds up to 15 miles per hour on total electric mode. Now step hard on the accelerator and in a few seconds you’ll be zipping at 60 miles per hour that is just a fraction of the speeds the car is capable of. Obviously, you need stretches of empty road if you want to check out the amazing acceleration capabilities of this speed demon. In a single view of expression the Lexus GS 450h provides power without compromising on the hybrid section. To conjure up this dream machine, the engineers at Toyota coupled a high output electric motor and generator that is rated at 197 HP along with a 297 HP 3.5 liter 24 valves gas engine to provide the ultimate speed brute. It is the sheer wizardry power of Toyota that has conjured up this 339 HP beast that drives the 4,100 lbs luxury sedan. There are too many first that this car has achieved. This is the quickest mass-produced range of hybrid car of earth. It is the 1st totally rear wheel drive luxury hybrid sedan. The engine of this car along with its CVT (continuously variable transmission) that has modes for normal, sport and snow conditions, coupled along with the excellent upholstery will make most upwardly executives think about joining the hybrid club. Just check out the numbers and you’ll be amazed. The Lexus GS 450h can achieve speeds of 60 miles per hour from standstill in just 5.2 seconds flat and stopping on a dime is possible too, thanks to its capability to decelerate from 60 miles per hour to 0 within a distance of 123 feet. The Lexus GS 450h can accommodate 5 people and can achieve a top speed of 131 miles per hour comfortably. It comes equipped with luxury features like voice activated navigation system, satellite radio, backup camera, Bluetooth technology and lots, lots more. 2009 GMC Yukon Hybrid
 Description:The first two cars to adapt the futuristic 2-mode hybrid powerstation that has been jointly developed by BMW, General Motors and Daimler Chrysler are the Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and its counterpart, the GMC Yukon Hybrid. The Yukon Hybrid introduces a new range of larger vehicles that are much more greener than the gas powered ones. The heart of the GMC Tahoe Hybrid’s powertrain consists of General Motor’s 6 liter Vortec V8 engine that boasts of cylinder deactivation technology. This translates into fuel saving since the engine can turn off 4 of its 8 cylinders when the extra power is not required. Take a close look underneath the 2nd row seats and you will observe that there is a 300-volt battery. The transmission houses the 2 electric motors of the vehicle. This vehicle boasts itself as a `2 mode hybrid’ and the reason behind this is its capacity to run in two different modes depending on the situation. This allows the vehicle to run at peak efficiency. During low impact and low speed driving, this powertrain emulates other hybrids. It shuts down the V8 engine whenever it is possible in order to draw power from either one or both the electric motors. The other mode is generally useful when driving on the highway when either one or both the electric motors run simultaneously with the V8 engine to provide a boost in power. At the heart of the system lies a 2 mode transmission which tries to keep the engine running at the most advantageous rotation per minute that permits low fuel usage. Basically it plays a balancing act between the electric motors and the V8 engine. The 2-mode transmission system is also responsible to ensure the changes between the 2 modes practically seamless. Thanks to these technologies, one can easily detect a 25% enhancement over the gas-powered cousin of the Yukon Hybrid. One will be pleased with the 40% enhancement in efficiency while driving in the city. The EPA rating of the Yukon Hybrid’s 2-wheel drive model is 14 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway. You might be amazed to discover that the fuel economy of this huge SUV is equivalent to the 4 cylinder Toyota Camry. While not failing to deliver fuel-efficiency, the Yukon Hybrid also delivers all the capability and power one expects from a full size SUV. Boasting of 332 HP, and available in 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive models this vehicle can tow up to 6000 pounds. Its 4-drive system can be compared to nearly all trail rated pickup trucks and this permits this vehicle to drive through tough road conditions and off-road with amazing stability and traction. Many large size vehicles have a rigid feel, but it is not the same with this vehicle that offers the driver with a smooth and comfortable ride. There is sufficient space in this vehicle that can accommodate up to eight people easily. Apart from this, there are many additional features that the GMC Yukon Hybrid boasts of. Ford Escape Hyrbid
 Description:Whether you like it or not, there is no way you can escape the fact that the Ford Escape Hybrid is considered to be the most efficient among other hybrid sports utility vehicles that are available in the market. This front drive Ford Escape Hybrid provides government approved fuel economy ratings of 31 in the highway and 34 in the city. The AWD version, however, provides government approved fuel economy ratings of 27 in the highway and 29 in the city. Combine this with the versatility, comfort and space this sports utility vehicle provides and you will end up with a winner. For its 2009 model, the 2.3 liter engine of the Ford Escape Hybrid has been replaced with a 2.5 liter one. This helps to boost the net horsepower of the vehicle to 177 from 155. If you check out the braking system in the Ford Escape Hybrid you will observe how the engineers of Ford have refined the same. The new braking system allows better stability control and traction. One can also observe that the brake has a smooth feeling, a feature that was not there in the previous versions of this hybrid vehicle. These modifications have assisted to decrease the vibration and noise of the car. You will note this especially when the engine of the Ford Escape Hybrid turns off and the car shifts to electric mode. Many people were missing the 110V AC power outlet in the old models and had to purchase the same as an accessory. They will be happy to know that this feature is now a standard part of the 2009 model of Ford Escape Hybrid. There is no doubt that these additional features have helped a lot to overcome the shortcomings of the previous models of this hybrid. However the extra 300 pounds of weight that the 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid has compared to the normal version is something that does not appeal to the buyers. This is not the only grouse that the purchasers of this car have. It is not the forte of the Ford Escape Hybrid to tackle bad road conditions and harsh weather and if these are your top priorities, you might end up feeling disappointed. If you are looking just for commuting or carrying your family along, the Ford Escape Hybrid might be the perfect car for you, but if you are eyeing towing and off road travel, you should check out some others SUV’s in the market that will serve this purpose better. However, if one keeps these minor flaws aside, they will find an efficient, versatile and capable vehicle in the Ford Escape Hybrid. The main reason why people still choose the Ford Escape Hybrid are its combined capabilities. They provide the owner dual benefits and capabilities that the SUV can along with the cost cutting capabilities of a hybrid. Just take the Ford Escape Hybrid for a test drive and you will be amazed at what this car can deliver, irrespective of its extra weight.  |
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