Luxury Cars

Hybrid cars tend to get better gas mileage in city driving than on the highway. This is because of the way the electric motor systems are integrated with the regular gas engine. To get the best mpg, you’ll want to use the electric power as much as possible while keeping the use of the gas engine to a minimum.

Some tips to get the very best mileage in city driving with your hybrid are:

• Drive smoothly
• Accelerate modestly
• Coast as much as possible to a stop

If you tend to be an agressive driver who loves to stomp on the gas pedal and brake hard at stops, you’ll find you won’t get the higher miles per gallon hybrids can deliver.

Hybrids

The Lexus LS 600h L Hybrid sedan for 2008 is a magnificent luxury car with the hybrid benefit as icing on the cake. Owning this car will let people know you’ve arrived in the world and care about the environment as well. It is certified as a super ultra-low emission vehicle (SULEV).

The base MSRP is $104,000. There are several premium packages you can add on that range in price from $4,000 for the Premium Package, $7,500 for the Premium Package II and $12,570 for the mind blowing Executive-Class Seating Package II.

Yes, this is the car that can park itself! All of the add-on packages include the Advanced Parking Guidance System that will parallel park you with no hands involved.

It comes with a 5.0 liter hybrid V8 engine which can produce 438 total system horsepower. The Lexus electric-drive motor is capable of high-output and helps give this car superior performance.

It has all wheel drive - AWD – to improve traction. Coupled with the variable gear-ratio steering (VGRS), this car can handle any corner you throw at it.

The braking system is the most advanced available. It includes an electronic parking brake, a brake hold feature with high-friction brake pads available. One nifty feature of the braking system is the ability to capture the heat generated from braking and recycle it into electrical power to recharge the battery.

It has the variable air suspension so you can adjust the feel of your ride to your mood – normal, comfort or sport.

If you’re looking for a hybrid car with style, power and the best hybrid engineering available, the Lexus LS 600h L is the model for you.

Hybrids, Lexus, Ultra-Luxury

The Lexus Hybrid RX Series is the world’s first luxury SUV that maximizes comfort and power while reducing emissions. It comes in a couple choices. You can purchase it as an all wheel drive or a front wheel drive. They are quite similar but do have a few differences in performance.

The RXh 400h AWD 2008 has a base MSRP of $42,580. It’s got a 3.3 liter V6 engine with 268 horsepower of the total system. The fuel economy is good with estimated 26 mpg in the city  and 24 mpg for highway driving.

The RXh400h FWD 2008 has a slightly lower base MSRP of $41,180. It’s got the same 3.3 liter V6 engine and 268 horsepower as it’s AWD sibling. It’s predicted to get slightly higher fuel economy with 27 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. At 7.5 seconds from 0 -60, it’s slightly peppier than the AWD’s 7.3 seconds.

Both models use Lexus’ ECVT – electronically controlled continuously variable transmission which does a fine job at balancing the power between the gas and electric motors. ECVT can produce an infinite number of gear ratios to help provide optimal performance for all driving conditions. This helps improve both acceleration and fuel economy.

Safety features include advanced airbags that protect you from front or side collisions. They literally wrap around the interior sides. The reinforced body has structural reinforcements including front and rear crumple zones to protect you and your passengers. ABS with brake assist helps reduct stopping time and improve control – always a good feature to have on today’s roads.

There’s a direct tire pressure monitoring system that will let you know when your tire pressure is critically low. Daytime running lights to help other see you coming are automatic.

Adaptive front lighting systems (AFS)help to illuminate more of the road. It gives the headlights the ability to towards the turn. The left headlight can pivot 15% and the right on 5%.

The rain sensing wipers are a huge hit. They can automatically adjust themselves to the necessary speed depending on how hard it’s raining.

Lexus also what they call VDIM that is seven safety features that seamlessly work together to keep good traction through turns.

The basic warranty is 48 months or 50,000 miles – whichever comes first. Wheel alignment and balancing are covered for 12 months or 20,000 miles.

Hybrids, Lexus, Mid-Level Luxury

Hybrid cars and good performance don’t normally appear in the same sentence. The fuel-efficient, rear-wheel-drive Lexus GS 450h is an exception. This luxury sports sedan is just what you’re looking for to appease your conscience without sacrificing one ounce of engine power.

While it has a 3.5-liter 24 valve V6 in it, Lexus named it the 450 because it delivers the power of a 4.5 liter V8. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds.  It can hit 75 pretty quick too and before you know it, you’re flying past lesser cars in silence.

How did Lexus create so much power and performance from a luxury hybrid?

At lower speeds, battery power is sent to the electric motor which sends power to the drive train. At higher speeds, the electric motor and gas engine work together to create power at a moment’s notice.

The revolutionary transmission is the key. The electronically controlled continuously variable transmission  (ECVT) distributes gas and electric power depending on driving conditions.  This new improved design gets rid of the annoying drone of the older CVT’s. It offers a choice of Sport, Snow or Normal driving modes.

When the car is driven for performance, a "sport" suspension setting can be selected that noticeably firms up the double-wishbone, coil-spring suspension. This Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) System calculates how much force is needed to help keep the Lexus GS 450h flat in a turn. And since this is an electric system, response time is greatly shortened when compared to conventional hydraulic systems.

Lexus has crammed in so many safety features that they simply named them "Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management" system (VDIM). These include all the braking systems and stability control. This advanced engineering works together to provide performance and safety. The GS 450h can stop within 123 feet when traveling 60mph. Pretty darn impressive for a car weighing 4,134 pounds.

The interior comes well-equipped with the features you’d expect to find in a luxury car: surround sound, bluetooth, push button start, dual climate control, heated seats, power rear sunshade, satellite radio and Lexus Link – a 24 hr emergency service. A built-in HomeLink remote allows you to control devices such as garage doors and entry gates from your vehicle.

One feature that was somewhat disappointing was the small trunk space of 7.5 cubic feet. The batteries are stored behind the back seat and take up quite a bit of room. Four suitcases or golf bags would be nearly impossible to fit back there.

I like the voice-activated DVD Navigation system that understands  over 100 commands. No need to push buttons while driving especially if you’re already not sure where you are. The power rear window sunshade is a life-saver on hot days. Just the thing we need to keep the interior comfy.

High performance, smooth acceleration, increased fuel efficiency and lower emissions, with a MSRP of $54,900 you don’t have to compromise a thing with the Lexus GS 450h.

Hybrids, Lexus, Mid-Level Luxury