2006 Lexus RX 400h First Drive
Written By: MyRide.com
Reprinted under license.
A Subtle Shade of Green
.jpg "2004 Lexus RX")
Continue to more photos from MyRide.com
Introduction
Lexus RX 400h -- 2006 First Drive Luxury SUVs have long been loathed by the environmentally conscious. All that leather and space, the big engine, the heavy weight, and abysmal fuel economy to boot.
They are considered by some to be modern day white elephants -- comfort for the sake of it, size just because you can afford it, waste because no one really cares.
That may well be changing, thanks to Lexus and the latest hybrid vehicle to be introduced in North America, the 2006 Lexus RX 400h. Now even luxury SUVs and their owners can quietly take a role in saving the planet -- without joining Green Peace or giving up any of the creature comforts or performance they've come to expect from the vehicle they drive. That may well be changing, thanks to Lexus and the latest hybrid vehicle to be introduced in North America, the 2006 Lexus RX 400h. Now even luxury SUVs and their owners can quietly take a role in saving the planet -- without joining Green Peace or giving up any of the creature comforts or performance they've come to expect from the vehicle they drive.
Based on the current Lexus RX 330 platform, the RX 400h hybrid combines a 3.3-liter V6 with a permanent magnet electric motor up front and an electric motor for the rear wheels to produce 268 total horsepower.
Technology
The 2006 Lexus RX 400h's front electric engine develops 247 lb.-ft of torque, while the rear motor generates 96 lb.-ft. of torque through a six-time gear reduction, boosting overall rear wheel torque to an impressive 650 lb.-ft. of yanking power. That's good enough to achieve a 3,500-lb. towing capacity. Lexus also includes a third electric motor, mounted at the bell housing, to function as a generator, engine starter, ratio controller for the continuously variable transmission (CVT), and part-time charger for the 288-volt battery pack. Taken as a whole, the system effectively produces performance similar to a V8, while sipping fuel like a compact four-cylinder sedan.
The technology that drives the 2006 Lexus RX 400h, however, is not completely transparent. When you insert and twist the key in the RX 400h's ignition, don't be surprised when the engine doesn't start. You'll sense that the electric air conditioning will quietly kick on, and the electric power steering will ease steering input under your fingertips. Otherwise, it's eerily quiet inside the RX 400h. Place the CVT into gear, push down on the accelerator, and the front electric motor pulls you away without using the gasoline-fired V6, up to 42 mph, given proper conditions.
Adding additional pressure to the accelerator makes the V6 come to life, and the CVT seamlessly streams through the ratios, maximizing the powertrain's torque curve. Mashing the throttle to the floor takes the Lexus RX 400h from mild-mannered SUV to hybrid hyper drive vehicle, as the battery packs deliver a full surge of voltage to the front and rear electric motors. Make no mistake -- under full acceleration, the Lexus RX 400h feels as though a small block V8 has been transplanted between the front shock towers, though the muted exhaust of the V6 and whine of the electric motors audibly remind you otherwise. Let off the gas and the V6 stops running while all three electric motors go into regenerative braking mode to recharge the nickel metal hydride batteries.
Continue to 2006 Lexus RX 400h First Drive from MyRide.com
© 2008 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.
Drifting Articles:
Sumitomo HTR+ Review on a Mazda RX8
I was forced to start looking at potential replacements for the stock Bridgestone Potenza RE040 (225/45/18) slightly after hitting 25,000 miles on them. I was hard pressed by economic reasons to find the cheapest possible tires that would offer a similar or higher tread life (higher was better) and a decent level of performance on dry surfaces, as well as wet.
New Survey Says Mazda Drivers Are Happier
A recent study has revealed Mazda drivers are the happiest drivers on the roads, beating other top brands such as Ford and Holden. Although Toyota drivers were the most loyal...
Luxury Meets Style: ConservArt Complements AutoNation's New Lexus of Palm Beach Store With Art Installation
To provide final additions to the brand new luxury facility, AutoNation, America's largest automotive retailer, sought out a reliable company that could seamlessly carry forward the design concept of a new facility and had a performance record of delivering quality products on short notice and within budget. ConservArt, Inc., master frame makers and art conservators, was selected as the best company for the job. All parties were pleased by the major transformation created by the installation.
Head-to-Head Showdown: 2006 BMW 330i vs. 2006 Lexus IS 350
Nothing says success like a fancy new car. Not a fresh-from-the-showroom-floor Kia or Chevy, mind you, but rather a sexy Infiniti, Mercedes-Benz, or maybe a BMW or Lexus.
Mazda Speed 6 - The Ultimate in Midsize Sedans Now Has Ultimate Body Parts at Partstrain
The Mazdaspeed 6 offers the optimal balance between performance and sophistication," said Weldon Munsey, vehicle line manager for Mazda North American Operations (MNAO). "The turbocharged engine, with its broad power band, excellent fuel economy and eco-friendly emissions levels, is unmatched in its class, while the sport-minded, luxurious cabin helps deliver a car driver will find hard to exit.
How To Finance A New Acura Dealer Purchase
Once you have decided on getting a new Acura, visit the manufacturer?s website for details on what is available and how to locate the dealers closest to your location. With this information you are ready to start getting quotes so that you can begin the process of financing your car.
2007 Lexus LS 460L Review
Lexus LS 460L - 2007 Review: Lexus shifted the luxury car paradigm when the original LS debuted 17 years ago, turning the pooh-pooh's of American and European automaker executives into exclamations of "Holy crap!" Since then, Lincoln has dropped off the radar, Cadillac has struggled to compete, Jaguar has battled its electronic demons, and the heavy-hitters from Germany - Audi, BMW, and Mercedes - have been forced to engineer excellence on a budget.
How To Get The Best Price From An Acura Dealer
Your Acura dealer is generally your link between you and that Acura you have your eye on. For instance, you may be able to get a discounted special price using a dealer closer to your location. Before plunking down for a new car, do the research; a car is a huge investment. This is easy if you already know what make vehicle you want. Also, bear in mind that after paying for the car there are other costs involved, registration and licensing being just two.
Mazda's Miata Starts Off Empire
Car enthusiasts are always on the lookout for an affordable sports car. Over the years, many companies have tried to fill that niche, with varying success.
Nissan Frontier: A Remarkable Vehicle Made Even More Outstanding With Nissan Parts From Parts Train
The 2005 Nissan Frontier has new 4.0-litre DOHC V-6, based on Nissan's VQ series engines, produce 265 horsepower and 284 lb.
2007 Mazda CX-7 First Drive
Mazda CX-7 -- 2007 First Drive: Interestingly, it takes a trip to the cultural and historic epicenter of the United States to appreciate what's going on in the automotive world.
2007 Acura TL Type-S First Drive
Acura TL Type-S - 2007 First Drive: Imagine how great life would be if people, the normal kind, got mid-life updates just like cars do. Not the major overhauls that result in horrific freak shows like Joan Rivers or the 1996 Ford Taurus; we're talking a nip here, a tuck there, a lift or two, and an injection of youthful vitality.
Irivne Dermatologist Winning by a Nose. Dr. Nissan Pilest named Black Card Expert Physician for 2007 by Bioform Medical
Radiesse maker Bioform Medical names elite Black Card Physician Award recipients. Dr. Nissan Pilest is winning additional accolades from patients who want a "nose job" but don't want the misery - or the expense - of surgical rhinoplasty.
2007 Mazda CX-7 Review
What We Drove Nimble, yes. Sporty, not so much. The aging Tribute SUV has trouble meeting the expectations of Mazda's zoom-zoom brand identity, so the new CX-7 swoops in to feed the need for speed.
Acura RSX 2004: The Weekly Driver Review
As Acura's entry-level vehicle, the RSX is positioned in the sporty coupe
class. It's perfectly categorized.