[Ed. What's the asking price?]

It is the first of its kind in history. Yet you'll find signs of it in
ancient hieroglyphics. And this fall, Lexus will turn the eighth letter of
the alphabet into the symbol of an automotive revolution.

The "h," in this case, stands for "hybrid." But you could also say it
represents "harmony." Two powerful forces working together as one: a
gasoline engine and an electric motor. All wrapped up in an alluring skin
that adds an air of refinement to an already sophisticated machine. Yes,
the world's first luxury hybrid is going to be a Lexus.
But with this kind of announcement come many questions. Lexus customers,
after all, are some of the most discriminating people in the world. They
won't accept just any innovation that comes their way. And we wouldn't
expect them to.

That's why we devoted so many years to researching hybrid technology. The
end result is a luxury hybrid that will impress even the toughest critics.

Our team of perfectionists is still busy scrutinizing every minute detail.
But while you're waiting, you might want to peruse the following myths and
facts about the catalyst of the next big automotive revolution: The Lexus
Hybrid.


MYTH #1: You'll have to give up the finer things.

FACT: This fall, you'll realize how preposterous that statement really is.
Rest assured, our hybrid vehicle will feature nothing less than the
pinnacle of technology, design and luxury. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a
Lexus.

MYTH #2: It will be too slow.

FACT: This couldn't be further from the truth. The Lexus Hybrid's power
plant features a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine, yet it's designed to deliver
the acceleration of a 4.0-liter V8. With the addition of electric motors
and high-voltage batteries, this advanced powertrain delivers 270 refined
horsepower for excellent 0-60 times, as well as reduced fuel consumption
and emissions.



MYTH #3: You'll have to plug it in.

FACT: This is a Lexus, not an appliance. You won't have to plug it in
because the gasoline engine charges the batteries while you drive. What's
more, the batteries themselves are designed to last the lifetime of the
vehicle and the Hybrid Synergy Drive requires minimal maintenance.

MYTH #4: It won't be as safe.

FACT: First, this is a Lexus vehicle. So in addition to featuring all the
luxury and refinement of our conventional vehicles, the Lexus Hybrid must
also meet the same exacting safety standards. Because safety isn't a
luxury. It's a necessity.

--
"Hilary Duff is the covergirl for an international youth industry" --
Unknown

View the countdown for when Hilary Duff turns 18 (I know you're waiting for
it):
http://www.timeanddate.com/counters/...&month=09&year
=2005&hour=00&m

The next T-shirt slogan (seriously): "Is it chicken or is it tuna?"

How about the "myth" that the batteries will cost the earth to replace when
they die?

Also, who is Hilary Duff? And why should anyone care?

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"Ablang" <RockingHilaryDuff (AT) ablang-duff (DOT) com> wrote

GRL wrote:

Waranteed to last 100,000 miles. I'll bet their price drops by at least a
factor of four in real terms over the next eight years; let's check back then.

How about overall reliability. Generation 1 cars are notoriously problematic.
Look at BMW's 745--first year were disasters. First Gen LS 400's have their
problems too.

Yeah I saw that, too. If anybody but Toyota said it, I'd think they were
lying.

--

- GRL

"It's good to want things."

Steve Barr (philosopher, poet, humorist, chemist,
Visual Basic programmer)
"Richard Schumacher" <no-spam (AT) thank-you (DOT) com> wrote

MCAS NV wrote:

Hmm, I wonder how much of it will really be new? The basic drive train technology
has been in use for more than eight years in Japan and elsewhere. There's no
obvious reason to diddle with much else in the body...

I recall my first new car, an '86 Mazda 323, and feel hopeful. It was "new", but
evolved from the GLC, and proved highly reliable.

You mean the part about the batteries being waranteed for 100,000 miles? If
they don't honor their warantees they get sued. The part about the price of the
batteries dropping over time was my own speculation.

GRL wrote: