 IMAGE CREDITS -Lexus |
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| World's first gas/electric hybrid-powered luxury SUV, the RX 400h,
goes on-sale in less than a month. Today, at a press conference at
the New York Auto Show, Lexus unveiled yet another ground-breaking
hybrid vehicle. The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid
luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine
and rear wheel drive. On sale throughout Europe from the spring of
2006, the new 2007 Lexus GS 450h further reinforces the importance of hybrid
drive systems as the core powertrain technology for the Lexus luxury
marque. Its new hybrid drive-train encapsulates precisely the type
of driving characteristics that are the hallmark of Lexus
drive-train engineering; smooth, powerful and refined, yet offering
a highly engaging and rewarding driving experience.
Once again,
we've applied our formula of no compromise engineering - this time
to a luxury sport sedan which proves to us that hybrid power trains
can work superbly in virtually any application,' said Lexus Vice
President of Marketing Mark Templin. 'It's very important to
continue pursuing substantial reductions in fuel consumption and
emissions, while continuing to improve performance and driving
pleasure. Our customers wouldn't have it any other way.'
The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan to combine front engine mounting with the rear wheel drive essential to sports driving dynamics. The latest hybrid petrol/electric powered addition to the luxury Lexus range is named "450" not to indicate the cubic capacity of the engine but, rather, in recognition of a power output comparable to that of a conventional 4.5 litre, V8 petrol engine, whilst the 'h' suffix indicates the presence of Lexus' highly sophisticated hybrid drive system. A completely new Lexus Hybrid powertrain was created to power the new 450h. The system combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor—all driving the rear wheels. Combined power output will be well in excess of 300 horsepower, with zero-to-60 acceleration in less than six seconds. Even more impressive is how quickly and powerfully torque is delivered during mid-range acceleration. The system's massive electric motor is capable of delivering maximum torque, immediately upon demand. This unique power delivery characteristic is most noticeable...and most useful...during 30-to-50 passing and merging maneuvers. It is an experience that must be felt to be fully appreciated. The result is a level of acceleration performance similar to a V-8 engine, with combined fuel economy in the high twenties, a level more typical of a 2.0-liter four-cylinder compact sedan, along with one of the best EPA emissions ratings in the industry. Based closely on the new GS luxury sport sedans, the 2007 Lexus GS 450h is designed to be the premium model in the GS series, with all of the performance, luxury and safety features befitting a flagship. Many of the optional features from the GS 300 and 430 will be standard on the GS 450h. There are subtle
visual differences like special 18-inch light-alloy wheels and a new
power meter that replaces the tachometer. But the new 2007 Lexus GS 450h is
designed to operate like any other Lexus vehicle such that the
hybrid experience feels completely normal and seamless, all while
delivering a surprising new level of performance and efficiency. The new 2007 Lexus GS 450h is equipped with a class-leading range of active and passive safety systems, including the second generation of Lexus' state-of-the-art Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, to enhance performance, traction control and vehicle stability. HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE® IN OPERATION Over the course of
any journey, the new hybrid drive system operates in several
different modes to maximise the GS 450h's overall efficiency: At
rest, the engine stops automatically to conserve fuel. Under
operating conditions of low engine efficiency such as start up and
low to mid-range speeds, the vehicle runs on the electric motor
alone, thus eradicating CO2 emissions and providing exceptionally
quiet operation. Under normal driving conditions, engine power is
divided by the power split device to both drive the wheels directly
and power the generator which, in turn, drives the electric motor. During deceleration
and under braking, the engine switches off and the electric motor
acts as a high-output generator. This regenerative braking system
optimises energy management in the new GS 450h's Hybrid Synergy
Drive® system by recovering kinetic energy (normally wasted as heat
under braking and deceleration) as electrical energy for storage in
the high performance battery. Furthermore, battery power level is
constantly managed via the engine driven generator to obviate any
requirement to recharge the system from an external source
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