Toyota Lexus GS450h Review

Toyota Lexus GS450h Review

By Jenny McLane

The 2007 Lexus GS 450h is the world's first hybrid luxury sedan and the first full hybrid vehicle with a front engine and rear wheel drive.

'Once again, we've applied our formula of no compromise engineering - this time to a luxury sport sedan which proves to us that hybrid power trains can work superbly in virtually any application,' said Lexus Vice President of Marketing Mark Templin. ‘ Lexus says the GS 450h will have gas mileage similar to the average 2-liter, 4-cylinder compact sedan.

The Lexus GS 450h is a Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle. A SULEV-rated vehicle is 90% cleaner than the average new car.

The GS 450h will have a 3.5-liter V6 engine combined with a high-output electric motor--all driving the rear wheels--to pack horsepower at the level of a V8 engine. It's built on the GS 430 platform and offers similar standard equipment and options, including a sunroof and perforated leather seats.

Hybrid technology, driving dynamics, motoring comfort and generous space inside redefines the new Lexus GS450h. Featuring more powerful and fuel efficient engines, innovative assistance systems, a wide range of safety features, as well as a superior standard of equipment, the new Toyota Lexus of today need no less than superior BMW replacement parts when the need arises.

The GS 450h is a large, rear-drive sedan, powered by a 3.5-litre, dual overhead cam V6 pumping out 207kW of power and 417Nm of torque. Chief designer of the Lexus LS430, Makoto Ooshima, told American industry journal automotive News the car's design was inspired by the Japanese bullet train as the car was tested in the same wind tunnel. (An average family sedan is 0.32.)

The 2005 Toyota Lexus GS 450h has powered door-closing system, which pulls the doors tight against the seals. Voice recognition technology responds to about 300 commands for the navigation, audio and air-conditioning, while Bluetooth technology permits cable-free use of mobile phones and the like. A tyre pressure monitoring system is low-tech in comparison.

The latest version of the 32-valve V8 engine uses less fuel and produces less noxious emissions. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with Shift Logic Control that responds to road grade and acceleration/deceleration activity. A Sequential Shift feature also allows the driver to control gearshifts manually, if desired.

"This car's role is to elevate Lexus to a truly world-class level,” said Jim Press, the head of Toyota Motor Sales USA and it means air-cooled seats, automatic rain-sensitive windscreen wipers and parking sensors, Mark Levinson audio/navigation system with handy rear camera, voice command and Bluetooth wireless connections; air suspension; rear door sunshades; rear seat adjuster with power/slide and memory and massage; and parking assist.

If the system determines that a collision is imminent, it retracts the driver and front passenger seatbelts. PCS also prepares the Brake Assist system, which, after the driver applies the brakes, automatically applies increased braking force to help reduce collision speed.

Notable is a Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) that features variable-force front airbags. Front and rear side curtain airbags provide protection in certain types of severe side impacts. The GS450h also features knee airbags for the driver and front passenger, four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock brake system (ABS) and the Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) that helps control side skids.

It has in its stock highest quality Toyota body parts that will retain the Toyota's driving dynamics bundled-in technology and its design.

Lamborghini Classic GTs

Lamborghini Classic GTs

By Paul S. Fitzgerald

One of the must-drive classics GTs, by far, is the Lamborghini 400 GT. It is one the first few car models ever released by the renowned Italian truck manufacturer, Lamborghini. First introduced at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show, it was one of the first series of coupes produced by the company to rival the Ferraris and Maseratis.

Compared to its predecessor, the 350 GT, 400 GT was built with a longer wheelbase, durable steel coachwork, with a modified look evident in its longer hood to accommodate the engine, a scaled back rear window, four circular headlights, and a slightly higher roof to provide more interior room.

The coupe had enough power to generate to almost 160 mph. Only twenty-three units of this coupe were produced from 1966 until 1967. Twenty units were steel bodied while three were bodied in Superleggera.

Another version of the 400 GT was also released. It was dubbed as the 400 GT 2+2. However, there were very minor difference between the 400 GT and the 400 GT 2+2 engine-wise as well as in the overall structure. Two hundred twenty four units were produced during 1966 to 1968, including five right-hand drive units.

The productions of these GTs were limited due to the fact that it was hand-built in the factory at Sant'Agata, Italy. There are practically car rentals anywhere in the world. Surely there's bound to be several Lamborghini GTS available for you to drive. Now, just imagine cruising around in a classic Lamborghini GT.

Moreover, with the growing car rental industry, it is now possible for almost anyone to drive their dream cars, albeit how short-lived, as well as make certain occasions in their lives extra special. Who would not take notice of the impressive Lamborghini Bruce Wayne drives whenever he's not driving his Bat mobile or any of his Bat-vehicles? This exotic two door, two-seater coupe is designed by Luc Donckerwolke and produced by Italian car manufacturer Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

Having a 6.2 L version of the Lamborghini V12 engine, the Murcielago Roadster kicks off 580 horsepower. This sports car can be equipped with either a six-speed manual gearbox or six-speed robotized e-gear system and has the acceleration speed of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, reaching the maximum speed of 320 km/h. Moreover, the car's scissor-opening doors pretty much resembles a bat spreading its wings, or the superhero for that matter.

Alongside Batman's upgraded equipments, Bruce Wayne now drives a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe. Powered by a 6.5 L version of the Lamborghini V12, kicking off an impressive 640 horsepower at 8,000 rpm, accelerating from 0 to 62m/hr in 3.4 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of over 200m/hr. Of course, that was made possible by thorough modifications of the engine and exhaust system made by the research and development team of Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

Driving, handling, and stability at extreme speed are enhanced by new stabilizers and springs, as well as modified damper, which is controlled electronically. Of course, this high powered machine comes with an equally top grade security system including a reliable and larger dual circuit brake system equipped with an anti-blocking system, having an electronic brake control as well as traction control.

The list of the enhanced features of this exhilarating machine could go on forever. However, Lamborghini Murcielagos can only belong to a privileged few. There are several car rentals in Las Vegas, New York, Milan, Monaco, Australia, and in some selected Asian countries.