**2006 RX400h offical thread with pics**
10-12-04, 07:21 PM
#167
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The dealer here said no hybrids until June 2005 tonight ... is that what everyone else has been hearing? He also said they were told they'd get 3 a month at first. This is a fairly small dealership though.
Last edited by Husker4the; 10-12-04 at 07:28 PM.
10-13-04, 04:36 AM
#168
June 2005 is the target date for the RX400. Last I heard, my dealer said he would be getting only 1 a month. That was before the release date was pushed back though, so that probably has changed.
RickC
RickC
Last edited by RickC; 10-13-04 at 08:51 AM.
10-13-04, 08:50 AM
#169
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What is the date now? june 2006? That's quite a bit aways from their announcement. It might have been better not to have announce a date since it keeps changing.
10-17-04, 11:40 AM
#172
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The November 2004 Issue of Motor trend says the following:
Page 20 in the "We Hear..." section
Lexus Delays Hybrid
"The Lexus RX 400h hybrid luxury crossover is delayed. The first cars aren't due off the line until April 2006, partly for extra development to reduce the characteristic hubbub of an engine working under a continuously variable transmission. Toyota is spinning it as a capacity issue, increasing Prius production, and saying it doesn't want to launch the 400h until it has sufficient production at its assembly plant and at hybrid battery maker Panasonic."
Ed
Page 20 in the "We Hear..." section
Lexus Delays Hybrid
"The Lexus RX 400h hybrid luxury crossover is delayed. The first cars aren't due off the line until April 2006, partly for extra development to reduce the characteristic hubbub of an engine working under a continuously variable transmission. Toyota is spinning it as a capacity issue, increasing Prius production, and saying it doesn't want to launch the 400h until it has sufficient production at its assembly plant and at hybrid battery maker Panasonic."
Ed
10-17-04, 05:55 PM
#173
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Originally posted by Shoofin'GS
The November 2004 Issue of Motor trend says the following:
Page 20 in the "We Hear..." section
Lexus Delays Hybrid
"The Lexus RX 400h hybrid luxury crossover is delayed. The first cars aren't due off the line until April 2006, partly for extra development to reduce the characteristic hubbub of an engine working under a continuously variable transmission. Toyota is spinning it as a capacity issue, increasing Prius production, and saying it doesn't want to launch the 400h until it has sufficient production at its assembly plant and at hybrid battery maker Panasonic."
Ed
The November 2004 Issue of Motor trend says the following:
Page 20 in the "We Hear..." section
Lexus Delays Hybrid
"The Lexus RX 400h hybrid luxury crossover is delayed. The first cars aren't due off the line until April 2006, partly for extra development to reduce the characteristic hubbub of an engine working under a continuously variable transmission. Toyota is spinning it as a capacity issue, increasing Prius production, and saying it doesn't want to launch the 400h until it has sufficient production at its assembly plant and at hybrid battery maker Panasonic."
Ed
Last edited by Cobra V; 10-17-04 at 05:55 PM.
10-18-04, 04:17 AM
#174
I would call my dealer. I think that is either a misprint or a typo. I just spoke to my dealer last week. Unless it changes this month at their November 16th sales meeting, the release date is May 2005.
I have a deposit down on the first RX400 coming into that dealership. They have already called me and asked how I want it configured. But my problem is they discontinued the color that we wanted this time. My wife wanted the Breakwater Blue, but they discontinued it. They also have disconinued Black Forest Pearl and Neptune Blue. None of those 3 three colors will be available for 2006. They are supposed to learn more about this during the November meeting.
RickC
I have a deposit down on the first RX400 coming into that dealership. They have already called me and asked how I want it configured. But my problem is they discontinued the color that we wanted this time. My wife wanted the Breakwater Blue, but they discontinued it. They also have disconinued Black Forest Pearl and Neptune Blue. None of those 3 three colors will be available for 2006. They are supposed to learn more about this during the November meeting.
RickC
11-03-04, 02:04 PM
#175
I went to the California international Auto Show and they said that the RX400h will be available April of 2005. If you want the RX you have to put a deposit and it's $1000 now, it's refundable. No wood trim will be offered only the brushed-aluminum is available. I believe a long long time ago someone posted that there might be Smart Access Key Entry, well no there isnt' going to be Smart Access Key Entry, only on the 2006 GS.
I got the brochure for the RX400h at the Auto Show and here is the spec for it....
I got the brochure for the RX400h at the Auto Show and here is the spec for it....
11-09-04, 06:26 AM
#176
Super Moderator
Lexus announced that the new RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV will go on sale April 15, 2005 in the United States, & they are attempting to move the start of production up even earlier in 2005 to build up sufficient inventories to help meet the demand we expect in mid-April.
11-26-04, 10:49 AM
#179
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Also as far as maintenance you should know that the actual brake pads are only in use at speeds below 5 MPH and in panic stops. Any other time the regenerative brake system is using the electric motors as generators to recharge the batteries. The more you push the brakes the more load it puts on the generators to slow the vehicle down. This means virtually no brake pad wear. Engine maintenance remains the same, but no conventional tranny so no maintenance there. The power invertor also has it's own seperate cooling system, using the same type of coolant as the motor, but in a seperate system.
A couple other tidbits we learned in our ride and drive.
1-No gas, no run. Run the vehicle out of gas and it will shut off, it will not run strictly off the batteries. This is mainly a warranty issue since if you run the batteries completely dead you risk damaging them, causing a big warranty claim and a tow bill. Since it shuts down on empty like a normal car then all it takes is a roadside call and a gallon of gas to get you back on your way, instead of a tow back to the dealership and extensive repairs and down time.
2-If you are a very aggressive driver (always at full throttle or full brakes) then your mileage will suffer. The 400h weighs about 300 pounds more than the 4 wheel drive 330. At heavy acceleration the gas motor will be running like a normal 330. Therefore if you never let up on the demands of the gas engine then you will basically be driving a fatter RX330 and get the mileage to match. Same is true if you tow a boat/trailer/etc.
3-If you drive strictly highway then the same mileage penalties will apply as above. The greatest mileage benefits will be seen in easy around town driving.
4-power steering and A/C compressor are electric driven so they will function when the gas engine is not running. An added benefit is if you sit in your car and wait for someone, watch the kids soccer game, drivein movies, etc you can have the A/C going without the car running.
Greg
A couple other tidbits we learned in our ride and drive.
1-No gas, no run. Run the vehicle out of gas and it will shut off, it will not run strictly off the batteries. This is mainly a warranty issue since if you run the batteries completely dead you risk damaging them, causing a big warranty claim and a tow bill. Since it shuts down on empty like a normal car then all it takes is a roadside call and a gallon of gas to get you back on your way, instead of a tow back to the dealership and extensive repairs and down time.
2-If you are a very aggressive driver (always at full throttle or full brakes) then your mileage will suffer. The 400h weighs about 300 pounds more than the 4 wheel drive 330. At heavy acceleration the gas motor will be running like a normal 330. Therefore if you never let up on the demands of the gas engine then you will basically be driving a fatter RX330 and get the mileage to match. Same is true if you tow a boat/trailer/etc.
3-If you drive strictly highway then the same mileage penalties will apply as above. The greatest mileage benefits will be seen in easy around town driving.
4-power steering and A/C compressor are electric driven so they will function when the gas engine is not running. An added benefit is if you sit in your car and wait for someone, watch the kids soccer game, drivein movies, etc you can have the A/C going without the car running.
Greg
