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Published in: April 2007
    Regulars > Reviews and Commentary > Green Luxury Machines: Hybrid Deluxe Becomes A Reality
 
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A 1.9 kWh battery where the spare wheel should be powers the two supplementary electric motors.
In the decade since Toyota first brought its groundbreaking Prius hybrid to market, part-electric cars like it and the Honda Insight have remained a niche product due to their diminutive size and odd looks. This is starting to change, however, with Lexus’ new RX400h and GS450h hybrid luxury cars, which prove you can successfully combine enhanced power and refinement with improved fuel consumption.

Still at the forefront of the technology, Lexus has already put its hybrid flagship on sale. The LS600h limousine promises the power of a 6-liter V12 engine with the fuel economy of a smaller V6 model. It is expected to qualify as a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle by the US Environmental Protection Agency when it is released for the 2008 model year.
“Lexus’ new RX400h and GS450h hybrid luxury cars prove you can successfully combine enhanced power and refinement with improved fuel consumption.”

While hybrid technology is being keenly pursued by the world's major car manufacturers, it is ultimately acknowledged to be a temporary solution. Because electric motors require fossil fuels to power them, they are, according to Mercedes-Benz, “to play a major role over the medium term”. But beyond that, fuel cell technology, as showcased by BMW's Hydrogen 7 limousine, is set to be the focus of the German carmakers' research. The major challenge against the case for hydrogen fuel is being able to store it at a temperature low enough so that it doesn't leak.

 
“While hybrid technology is being keenly pursued by the world's major car manufacturers, it is ultimately acknowledged to be a temporary solution.”

Other future alternatives include full electric cars, such as the Tesla Roadster, which has made the prospect of zero-emissions vehicles sexy; Tesla is also rumored to be planning an electric-powered sedan variant. But until we can wean ourselves off gasoline and diesel power, it looks like the hybrid vehicle is here to stay.

 
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