| Hybrid Synergy Drive reveals another virtue: | | | | fuel-saving benefit of the hybrid system-especially |
| Performance. Public viewing of the 2006 Lexus | | | | when the vehicle is stopped or driven slowly through |
| RX400 in early 2005 reveals combined fuel efficiency | | | | traffic. Except for the alternator, which is replaced by |
| in the range of the current EPA average rating for a | | | | motor-generators, all components are now electrically |
| four- cylinder compact sedan. The RX400h will be a | | | | powered which means notably lower parasitic losses |
| SULEV rated vehicle which means driving from Los | | | | to the engine and improved fuel consumption. |
| Angeles to New York and back nine times (54,000 | | | | The Lexus hybrid technology also allows extended |
| miles) yet produce less- smog forming emissions. | | | | electric-mode operation during low speed or |
| The 2006 Lexus RX400h combines 3.3 liter V6 | | | | stop-and-go driving conditions. The |
| gasoline engine with two electric drive motors: a | | | | permanent-magnet front electric drive motor (MG2) |
| strong 120 kW (161 horsepower) motor positioned | | | | produces peak torque from zero-to-1,500 RPM, giving |
| near the rear wheels. The new Hybrid System will | | | | the RX 400h powerful and instantaneous response |
| deliver a peak output of 270 horsepower with a | | | | that will be especially felt and appreciated in low- and |
| 20% increase compared to the non-hybrid RX330 | | | | mid-speed performance and in merging and passing |
| power train. Much more impressive is the 30-50 mph | | | | maneuvers. |
| passing acceleration of the high output electric motor | | | | A regenerative braking system further boosts |
| that delivers a high burst of torque. | | | | system efficiency. When the RX 400h is coasting or |
| Future Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drives hold the | | | | the brakes are applied, the electric motors function |
| potential to operate even more efficiently using new | | | | as generators, capturing kinetic energy that would |
| types of batteries and fuels. According to Fujio Cho, | | | | normally be lost as heat through the brakes and |
| President of Toyota Motor Corporation " Toyota's | | | | transforming it into useable electricity to recharge the |
| Hybrid System will make up the heart of our | | | | batteries. |
| hydrogen fuel cell program of tomorrow". | | | | With the RX 400h, Lexus also introduces a new |
| The advantage of a hybrid driveline is that it | | | | generation of vehicle stability control systems known |
| eliminates hardships associated with electric cars to | | | | as Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM). |
| provide breakthrough performance, exemplary fuel | | | | A vital component of VDIM is a new Electronically |
| efficiency, very low exhaust emissions, and a high | | | | Controlled Braking system (ECB). The ECB system |
| level of convenience. | | | | translates brake pedal stroke speed and pressure and |
| 2006 Lexus RX400h introduces a new era of | | | | generates the precise amount of combined electric |
| enhanced performance dimension to the widely | | | | regeneration and hydraulic pressure needed for |
| known hybrid advantages of excellent fuel mileage | | | | virtually any driving condition. |
| and low emissions. The RX 400h will be rated as a | | | | VDIM allows more optimized operation of the |
| Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) in California | | | | vehicle's dynamic handling systems that employ the |
| (Tier 2 - Bin 3 in other states), one of the most | | | | brakes: ABS, Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability Control |
| stringent emissions ratings in the industry. | | | | (VSC) and traction control (TRAC). VDIM also |
| The Lexus RX 400h is defined as a "full hybrid," | | | | interfaces with the Electronic Throttle Control |
| which means that it is capable of operating in | | | | system, allowing it to modify vehicle power when |
| electric-only or gas engine-only mode as well as a | | | | needed, and a new Electronic Power Steering system |
| mode that combines the power of the gas engine | | | | (EPS) to optimize steering assist for each situation. |
| and electric motor. In contrast, other hybrid | | | | When the RX 400h is coasting or the brakes are |
| technologies are not capable of running only on | | | | applied, the electric motors function as generators, |
| electrical power, but instead require constant gas | | | | capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost |
| engine operation. | | | | as heat through the brakes and transforming it into |
| In making the transition to a hybrid power train, the | | | | useable electricity to recharge the batteries. This |
| alternator, power steering pump, water pump and | | | | regenerative braking system further boosts system |
| AC compressor are no longer engine belt-driven. This | | | | efficiency. |
| is because the gas engine often shuts down-a | | | | |