by Perry Stern
MSN Autos
The first hybrid from a luxury brand arrives this fall—and it’s not a car, it’s an SUV! The gas-electric RX400h will be powered by a new version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system that will pair the 3.3-liter V6 that normally powers the RX 330 with an electric motor to improve both performance and fuel efficiency. Lexus says the hybrid system in the RX 400h is a breakthrough in hybrid technology, since it improves not only fuel efficiency but also performance. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the RX 400h produces the equivalent of approximately 270 horsepower at peak power, compared to 230 horsepower for the current RX 330. “We have found that it is not necessarily just about being green, or more fuel-efficient, or even about the higher level of performance. Rather it is all about delivering a better total package,” stated Denny Clements, Lexus Group vice president and general manager, when describing the RX 400h.
MSN Autos
The first hybrid from a luxury brand arrives this fall—and it’s not a car, it’s an SUV! The gas-electric RX400h will be powered by a new version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system that will pair the 3.3-liter V6 that normally powers the RX 330 with an electric motor to improve both performance and fuel efficiency. Lexus says the hybrid system in the RX 400h is a breakthrough in hybrid technology, since it improves not only fuel efficiency but also performance. The Hybrid Synergy Drive system in the RX 400h produces the equivalent of approximately 270 horsepower at peak power, compared to 230 horsepower for the current RX 330. “We have found that it is not necessarily just about being green, or more fuel-efficient, or even about the higher level of performance. Rather it is all about delivering a better total package,” stated Denny Clements, Lexus Group vice president and general manager, when describing the RX 400h.
