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Posts Tagged ‘luxury cars’

What Are The Main Attractions Of The Lexus LS 600h?

February 12th, 2010 No comments

The target market for Lexus LS 600h are those buyers who have a desire for the most amazing, and recent automotive technology that matches with their environmental ethics as well as the size of their bank balance. The coded flagship models of Lexus may cost 100,000. This very model of Lexus qualifies, as a revolutionary machine. There is improvement in the style to what we saw previously in LS models is out of the world. Not only is the car comfortable, but it is trouble-free as well. Being beautifully trimmed, the cabin promises great comfort. The spacious interior promises lots of space to the driver as well as the passenger.

The Lexus LS 600h is packed with technology to make this a very superior car. The hybrid LS 600h has a 5 litre V8 engine, and an electric motor. At speeds, less than 30mph the electric motor propels the car. When a burst of speed is required, the petrol engine kicks in. The LS 600h can go from zero, to sixty-two miles per hour in just 6.3 seconds, and the speed is topped out at 155mph. The LS 600h uses a continuously variable transmission so the engine speed is optimised for the desired response.

There are cabin gadgets in the LS 600h that bear a resemblance to LS 460L. The audio quality will leave you amazed, not to mention the outstanding in-dash hard drive for storing music. Then there are the live traffic alerts that feature the best addition with a navigation system.

There are advanced features, such as automatic parallel parking and adaptive cruise control. 600h has the Advanced Parking Guidance System. While the parking system is perfect and works very well, it can save time and provide safety to the inexperienced parkers. Along with parallel parking, the car can manage perpendicular parking spaces. After a long drive in the LS 600h, there are no discomforts. After spending many hours in the driving seat, there would be no usual aches or stiffness that we usually get from other cars. The suspension and the seats combine to reduce tiredness for the driver. Entire cabin equipment is made up of the leather seats, having a high-quality feel.

After a long drive in the LS 600h, there are no discomforts. After long hours of driving, no usual aches or stiffness is experienced. The suspension and the seats combine to reduce tiredness for the driver. Entire cabin equipment is made up of the leather seats, having a high-quality feel.

Database has a phone book, containing all the retail locations. It is easy to find any kind of shop. The database also enables to set destinations by means of the map or nearest freeway entrance. Live traffic reporting is sent through an XM satellite radio channel displays, how fast traffic is moving on major roads and displays incidents, such as an accident or roadwork.

With so many car companies foreseeing tough time ahead, the self-belief and passion for making such vehicles by Lexus is an uplifting change.

The Lexus LS 600h hybrid car is available for a free test drive; visit the Lexus website to book online.

An Overview Of The History Of Hybrid Cars

February 9th, 2010 No comments

A hybrid car can be defined as a vehicle that uses two or more sources of power for proper functioning and moving. A hybrid car has both electric motor as well as combustion engine, which generates power to move the vehicle.

A hybrid car works in a way by combining the power generated from electric batteries and gasoline engine. The theory behind the development of the hybrid cars is the awareness of the discovery of the less damaging power generating methods. The hybrid cars were made as a solution for preserving the oil resources, increasing prices of gasoline and effects of vehicle emission on the environment. Almost all the leading automobile companies are manufacturing hybrid cars due to its large number of benefits.

Hybrid cars are not something invented in the recent times but have a long history. Ferdinand Verbiest in 1665 came up with the idea for the first time when he tried to run a vehicle using steam engine or by moving. Nicholas Cugnot tried to put the dean to practice in 1769. He worked on steam-powered engine and was successful in moving the vehicle at the speed of six miles an hour. It was difficult to move the vehicle for a long distance; therefore, the project did not proceed further.

But it was not possible to move the vehicle to longer distances. Hence, this project ended unsuccessfully. Scientists made a major discovery in the nineteenth century in this field. In 1839, Robert Anderson designed the first car which was powered by electricity.

Developing good hybrid cars became a potential market for different investors. Many large motor companies started working on the project of developing Hybrid cars. For driving an electric engine in the hybrid vehicle a 28-cell battery was designed. It led to the invention of “Bersey Cabs”, in 1897. These cabs used an electric motor and 40 cell battery for moving. The power system was invented and designed by Walter Bersey. These hybrid cars could easily cover a distance of fifty miles in a single charging.

Porsche was the company that used a combined internal combustion and electric engine to derive the power in the year 1898. In the wheel hubs of the vehicle, the batteries were installed. Without any recharging on a single battery, the vehicle could easily travel a distance of forty miles.

A Belgian carmaker Pieper introduced a breakthrough idea for development of hybrid cars. The car he made used a horsepower motor and electric motor. In this hybrid vehicle, the electric motor provided the extra power to gas engine, whenever needed. The designed vehicle needed a battery pack to work properly.

Commercial Built Trucks Company introduced a substitute for battery pack. It was a four-cylinder gas engine, but the company did not produce a lot of vehicles. Hybrid cars again gained importance as a potential market. In 1969, the General Motors Company designed hybrid vehicles that used gas combustion and electric power. Volkswagen invented the switch in the hybrid vehicles that was used to switch from gasoline engine to electric motor of the vehicle. This switch helped in increasing the efficiency of vehicle.

General Motors introduced their first hybrid vehicle that comprised of gas combustion engine and electric engine. Inventing the switch that transferred the power from one engine to another engine was Volkswagen’s feather in the cap. It greatly increased the efficiency of the hybrid vehicle. Developments in hybrid technology continued and in 1997, Toyota developed the first practical and efficient hybrid car. Honda also stepped in the competition and developed its own hybrid models. Consumers today consider buying hybrid cars because of its numerous benefits.

Browse the Lexus range of Hybrid Cars and book a test drive online, visit the Lexus website for more information.

Which Is A Smarter Purchase – A New Hybrid Car Or A Used One?

February 9th, 2010 No comments

The increasing hue and cry over unfathomable amounts of gas emissions has led to the adoption of many “green” or eco-friendly practices. With increased public awareness, various companies and conglomerates have been forced to take steps to reduce gas emissions and adopt a more economically friendly approach to help save the environment. Like all the other industries, the automobile industry has also taken steps in this direction.

The dual sources of power namely electricity and gasoline happen to be the defining point for hybrid cars. With the control in the contaminants going above ninety percent, it can be safely concluded that these cars are environment friendly. As far as regular cars go, their emissions comprise of carbon dioxide, sulphur, carbon monoxide, all of which are harmful for health. As for hybrid cars, they are safer than those cars that depend on a power source of gasoline.

Replacement of Hybrid Cars is free. The depreciation rate is lower as compared to the other cars. It keeps the value of the hybrid cars higher. These cars offer higher fuel economy.

It is an intelligent decision from a financial perspective to buy a gently used car. In attribution to the great losses, endured by motor cars, just in their first year of purchase, one can save a lot of money by letting someone else suffer that loss and then stepping in after one year to buy the car.

When it comes to mathematics, hybrid cars are a different case of study. They prove to be splendid deals for the ones who purchase them; however, one should be cautious in moving forward and consider all the factors that are critical in the functioning of the car.

When purchasing an already-used hybrid car, it is a good idea to get it checked by a car dealer. A history report of the car can be of great help to you as it provides you an insight into any reported accidents. This information is quite valuable because it affects the performance, safety and value of the car.

When a specialist checks out your hybrid car, who is a pre-owner himself, it is helpful. Also, getting a history report is a sensible move when you are intending to buy a used hybrid car. There may be secrets in the closet of the seller such as a salvage title or the like. The history report gives information such as any possible accidents the car might have had or the number of owners that the car has had till now. This information helps a lot as it plays a role in the performance as well as safety and value of the car.

It is not that depreciation gets eliminated completely in attribution to the purchase of a hybrid car. It is just that this is really helpful in terms of minimizing it. When you talk about a major online used car website, it usually has indications of purchases of buying used hybrid cars getting to slash half of the original cost as to what is the case when you opt for a new one.

The value of hybrid cars wears away faster than regular models. As they approach closer to the end of their hybrid components warranty, they start falling in their value. For example, after two years, a Honda Civic Hybrid falls forty percent in value of its original retail price. For the gas engine, it falls 34 percent beneath. After five years, it is only 43% that the hybrid car has left of its original value as compared to the 50 percent that is the case with a regular Civic.

Swift depreciation is a double-edged sword. You cannot get as much when you eventually sell your car that you had earlier bought at a cheaper price. This means a higher overall cost of ownership offsetting any fuel savings.

Discover more about Lexus Hybrid Cars, visit the Lexus website for more information and to book a test drive.