2006 Lexus RX 400h: Arrival of Toyota's High Performance Hybrid

Hybrid Synergy Drive reveals another virtue: Performance. Public viewing of the 2006 Lexus RX400 in early 2005 reveals combined fuel efficiency in the range of the current EPA average rating for a four- cylinder compact sedan. The RX400h will be a SULEV rated vehicle which means driving from Los Angeles to New York and back nine times (54,000 miles) yet produce less- smog forming emissions.
The 2006 Lexus RX400h combines 3.3 liter V6 gasoline engine with two electric drive motors: a strong 120 kW (161 horsepower) motor positioned near the rear wheels. The new Hybrid System will deliver a peak output of 270 horsepower with a 20% increase compared to the non-hybrid RX330 power train. Much more impressive is the 30-50 mph passing acceleration of the high output electric motor that delivers a high burst of torque.
Future Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drives hold the potential to operate even more efficiently using new types of batteries and fuels. According to Fujio Cho, President of Toyota Motor Corporation " Toyota's Hybrid System will make up the heart of our hydrogen fuel cell program of tomorrow".
The advantage of a hybrid driveline is that it eliminates hardships associated with electric cars to provide breakthrough performance, exemplary fuel efficiency, very low exhaust emissions, and a high level of convenience.
2006 Lexus RX400h introduces a new era of enhanced performance dimension to the widely known hybrid advantages of excellent fuel mileage and low emissions. The RX 400h will be rated as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in California (Tier 2 – Bin 3 in other states), one of the most stringent emissions ratings in the industry.
The Lexus RX 400h is defined as a "full hybrid," which means that it is capable of operating in electric-only or gas engine-only mode as well as a mode that combines the power of the gas engine and electric motor. In contrast, other hybrid technologies are not capable of running only on electrical power, but instead require constant gas engine operation.
In making the transition to a hybrid power train, the alternator, power steering pump, water pump and AC compressor are no longer engine belt-driven. This is because the gas engine often shuts down—a fuel-saving benefit of the hybrid system—especially when the vehicle is stopped or driven slowly through traffic. Except for the alternator, which is replaced by motor-generators, all components are now electrically powered which means notably lower parasitic losses to the engine and improved fuel consumption.
The Lexus hybrid technology also allows extended electric-mode operation during low speed or stop-and-go driving conditions. The permanent-magnet front electric drive motor (MG2) produces peak torque from zero-to-1,500 RPM, giving the RX 400h powerful and instantaneous response that will be especially felt and appreciated in low- and mid-speed performance and in merging and passing maneuvers.

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The Volvo S40 Package

Volvo Cars is the brand under which the Volvo S40 is running under. The Volvo S40 is a sedan and it is a compact car. This vehicle actually filled the spot and niche that the Volvo 440 left behind when its production was halted. Going back to its history, automobile aficionados could definitely say that there has already been two distinct and different models for this vehicle line. The first generation was actually launched back in the year 1995. As per the second generation, they have been launched just recently, in the year 2004. At present, this second generation of Volvo S40s are still being continuously manufactured, marketed, and sold to the general public. It has been said that its main and primary competition in the market are the Acura TSX, the Audi A3, the BMW 2 series, as well as the Infiniti G20.
http://www.carpartsone.com/ gives Volvo owners, aficionados, and enthusiasts the finest Volvo replacement parts, performance parts, and accessories that is unmatched anywhere else. By simply visiting Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts, one could actually choose from their extensive stock of Volvo parts like a/c condensers, front bumpers, rear bumpers, front fenders, grilles, hubcaps, front lights, radiators, radiator fans, starters, and wheels among many others. These parts are available for customers and patrons at great discount prices and whole sale deals at Volvo Parts and Used Volvo Parts.
If you do have some $24,040 for a vehicle, then you can most certainly own the Volvo S40. Volvo markets this vehicle as an attainable sports sedan which not only delivers power and has a good handling, but it also provides its drivers and passengers fun every time it is driven. As per the color of the exterior of the Volvo S40, the choices are Black, Ice White, Passion Red, Silver Metallic, Flint Gray Metallic, Barents Blue Metallic, Brilliant Blue Metallic, and Electric Silver Metallic.

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Maserati MC12 A Winner

Designed to win races, the Maserati MC12 is actually sold as a road car, albeit it a very impractical one. Still what do you expect with a 620 bhp exotic car? The car looks just like the sports racing car that it is. To be fair, it is a real two-seater while the cars that race at Le Mans are more like single-seaters.

Only 25 MC12s were built initially, and quite a few were used for racing. Actually, when they heard about Maserati building the MC12 for the GTA championship (ooops, sorry for sale as a road car, was the official line, I think) some of the other companies threatened to withdraw as they thought the presence of the MC12 on the starting grid would make a farce of the whole series. Although the Maserati MC12, is a true exotic car, it is based on the Ferrari Enzo. The whole idea was to upgrade Maserati's image following a checkered history.

The glory of the 50s, when Maserati was a regular winner of Grand Prix, got lost in the mire of an economic downturn, when the company took the wrong turn more than once. As Ferrari and Maserati are both part of the Fiat Group, and were in fact in the same sub-group, it made sense to modify the Enzo to get Maserati back as a winner. Now, Ferrari and Maserati have been put in different sub-groups, so this sort of collaboration is not expected in the future.

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