cars-trend: 2010 lexus rx 350 and 450h

Wednesday 13 July 2011

2010 lexus rx 350 and 450h

2010 lexus rx 350 and 450hLexus claims that they invented the luxury hybrid with the RX400h in 2005, and they've returned to Los Angeles ten years after the introduction of the RX line to reinvent the segment with the all-new 2010 RX350 and RX450h luxury SUVs.
The 2010 Lexus RX450h hybrid is powered by a 3.5L Atkinson-cycle V-6 and the hybrid system receives a new, more powerful inverter that bumps total output to 297 hp, 27 hp more than the outgoing model. 275 hp comes from gasoline engine, with an additional 22 hp coming from the electric motor. In addition to boosting power, Lexus says they've also increased fuel mileage by 8%, though they did not give specific numbers. Based on an EPA-estimated 25 mpg average for the outgoing RX400h, the 2010 RX450h should return roughly 27 mpg on average. The RX450h will be available in both 2WD and part-time AWD, with the AWD system returning slightly poorer fuel economy.
The 2010 RX350 features the same 3.5L V-6 engine as its hybrid twin, sans hybrid drive system. Both models feature a redesigned double-wishbone rear suspension that both improves handling and increases rear cargo space by 5% over the previous model. While both vehicles have increased in size, they boast a claimed-segment-best 0.32 coefficient of drag.
New for the 2010 RX models is Lexus' "Remote Touch" controller for the Hard Disk Drive navigation system, a computer mouse-shaped device on the center console that sits right where your right hand normally rests. The device is similar to a joystick and controls a pointer on the navigation screen. Dedicated Menu, Map and up and down scroll buttons make the device easy to use and Lexus has obviously worked to keep the number of screens to a minimum. The device can also be custom programmed to the level of feedback that the user prefers, allowing drivers to decide how touchy they want the pointer to be.