Today I received my Winter, 2005 edition of the Lexus Hybrid Newsletter (same day as the Ford Winter 2005 Magazine). Don't you all think that both these companies are a bit premature? Doesn't Winter, 2005 start in December, 2005?

Anyway, here is what it told me (in my own words):

It will be available beginning on April 15, 2005, the RX 400h will be priced at $48,535 MSRP plus dealer markups and other optional charges.

Power output from its electric drive motors and the 3.3-liter V6 engine will accelerate from 0 to 60 in 7.3 seconds. I am ready to race with my GT, but it only gets 25 MPG.

The estimated combined fuel-economy rating of 28 mpg equals the average for compact sedans. And its estimated EPA city fuel-economy rating is even better. At 30 mpg, the RX 400h's city mileage more than doubles those of many V8-equipped luxury SUVs (EPA-estimated ratings: 28 city/30 highway mpg. Actual mileage may vary).

Sounds very cool. I would like to hear from the first person who buys one so we can compare to its poor cousin, the Ford Escape Hybrid. I think in the world of labels my FEH is a good substitute for us middle income country folks instead of the Beverly Hills SUV environmental wanna-bes. The MPG figures had the following asterisk (These performance capacity figures are for comparison only, and were obtained with prototype vehicles by professional drivers).

Mike

Mike Maline - Sdctcher
2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Owner
California School Teacher