2010 Lexus RX 450h Makes 30 MPG Combined
03-06-09, 09:31 AM
#20
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I find this story hard to believe. Isn't the system mostly identical to the GS450h or did they update the components?
03-06-09, 09:49 AM
#22
The 2010 RX450h is equipped with an Atkinson-cycle 3.5-liter V6 that features lighter electric motors and a compact power-control unit that boosts fuel economy an estimated 8-12% over the RX400h. The engine alone produces 245 hp at 6,000 rpm (up from 208 hp) and 234 lb-ft of torque at 4,800 rpm (up from 212 lb-ft), with total power increased to 295 hp when the electric motors are spinning away. A 288V DC Ni-MH battery pack is mounted underneath the rear seats and receives power from either two or three motors depending on FWD or AWD configurations, with the RX450h AWD ditching the front-to-rear driveshaft for a rear-mounted electric motor.
GS450h is geared more toward to performance and tuned with higher power output. Also, I do not think that the GS450h is using the Atkinson-cycle like the RX450h, please correct me if I am wrong.
The combined 30-mpg looks like is going to be the official EPA estimate indicated by the article.
03-06-09, 10:08 AM
#24
My point is you can spend millions developing and refining the hybrid drive but the effort is all wasted if you can't put the same thought and effort into saving weight. An extra 450lb is like lugging a couple of McDonalds employees around with you all the time.
03-06-09, 10:11 AM
#25
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The RX450h is the only RX model we get in the UK now.
My point is you can spend millions developing and refining the hybrid drive but the effort is all wasted if you can't put the same thought and effort into saving weight. An extra 450lb is like lugging a couple of McDonalds employees around with you all the time.
My point is you can spend millions developing and refining the hybrid drive but the effort is all wasted if you can't put the same thought and effort into saving weight. An extra 450lb is like lugging a couple of McDonalds employees around with you all the time.
03-06-09, 10:31 AM
#26
BMW X5 xDrive30i: 4982 lbs
BMW X5 xDrive35d: 5225 lbs
Infiniti FX35 RWD: 4094 lbs
Infiniti FX35 AWD: 4299 lbs
MB ML350 4MATIC: 4705 lbs
MB ML320 BlueTEC: 4974 lbs
VW Touareg VR6 FSI: 5086 lbs
VW Touareg V6 TDI: 5086 lbs
2010 Lexus RX350 FWD: 4340 lbs (Yahoo! Auto)
2010 Lexus RX350 AWD: 4510 lbs (Yahoo! Auto)
2010 Lexus RX350/RX450h: 4350 lbs - 4950 lbs (C&D)
2010 Lexus RX450h FWD: 4650 lbs (Edmunds IL)
2010 Lexus RX450h AWD: 4810 lbs (Edmunds IL)
Not trying to give Lexus a free pass here but just want to put things in perspective.
BMW X5 xDrive35d: 5225 lbs
Infiniti FX35 RWD: 4094 lbs
Infiniti FX35 AWD: 4299 lbs
MB ML350 4MATIC: 4705 lbs
MB ML320 BlueTEC: 4974 lbs
VW Touareg VR6 FSI: 5086 lbs
VW Touareg V6 TDI: 5086 lbs
2010 Lexus RX350 FWD: 4340 lbs (Yahoo! Auto)
2010 Lexus RX350 AWD: 4510 lbs (Yahoo! Auto)
2010 Lexus RX350/RX450h: 4350 lbs - 4950 lbs (C&D)
2010 Lexus RX450h FWD: 4650 lbs (Edmunds IL)
2010 Lexus RX450h AWD: 4810 lbs (Edmunds IL)
Not trying to give Lexus a free pass here but just want to put things in perspective.
03-06-09, 10:56 AM
#27
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03-06-09, 11:00 AM
#28
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http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/l...pdf?ncid=12493 (pg 4)
32/28 mpg, is the official number now.
oh yeah, Toyota is idiotic for updating the press site and deleting all the old articles. Honda press releases are still up from 10 years ago.
32/28 mpg, is the official number now.
oh yeah, Toyota is idiotic for updating the press site and deleting all the old articles. Honda press releases are still up from 10 years ago.
Last edited by Mr. Jones; 03-06-09 at 11:09 AM.
03-06-09, 11:20 AM
#29
The RX450h is the only RX model we get in the UK now.
My point is you can spend millions developing and refining the hybrid drive but the effort is all wasted if you can't put the same thought and effort into saving weight. An extra 450lb is like lugging a couple of McDonalds employees around with you all the time.
My point is you can spend millions developing and refining the hybrid drive but the effort is all wasted if you can't put the same thought and effort into saving weight. An extra 450lb is like lugging a couple of McDonalds employees around with you all the time.
To do this, many of them are resorting to stronger and heavier steel since its cheaper to increase safety by increasing the structural strength instead of more "exotic" methods. If you don't keep your prices competitive; you will lose sales, market share, and brand image. Something has to give (and safety can't).
Consider the BMW M3 as an example. Look at the past 3 generations in NA, the current one weighs around 3800lbs? The Lexus GS460 is well over 4000lbs now, I remember when the 2nd gen GS300 of similar size debuted at ~3500lbs and was considered VERY portly (so was my SC300).
03-06-09, 11:24 AM
#30
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Lexus should drop this drivetrain into everyone of their cars. IS, ES, GS, LS, SC. This would give Lexus a 30-35mpg car in every category. They would take europe away from BMW, Audi, MB as fast as they took U.S. away.