Lexus Hybrid Update
 

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

The Lexus price was just released accidentally. See the Hybrid News forum. That explains your "Winter 2005 Edition" of your newsletter.