I'm in the market for a new car and every time I talk about it, someone tells me I have to get a hybrid.
Of course, it seems like a great idea: Gas is through the roof these days and hybrid vehicles get access to those coveted carpool lanes, not to mention free toll across the Golden Gate Bridge and all the eco-consciousness that goes along with driving one.
Toyota has announced the pricing details of its posh and earth friendly hybrid Lexus LS 600h L and well, it's out of my price range, but oh so beautiful.
The model has all the standard luxury equipment and technological features of your usual luxury car, including the world's first full hybrid V8 powertrain (I may be a geek, but I'm not entirely sure what a powertrain is). It will apparently cost $104,000 when it reaches Lexus dealers in June.
For additional photos and car specs to droll over, read more
The full-time all-wheel-drive LS 600h L will be the world's first vehicle powered by a full hybrid V8 powertrain and will be mated to a newly developed dual-stage electronically controlled, continuously variable transmission. It will deliver power and performance on a par with modern 12-cylinder engines, producing more than 430 horsepower while still delivering fuel efficiency equal to or better than the combined fuel-economy ratings of V6 all-wheel-drive mid-sized luxury sedans. The LS 600h L will also carry a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating, emitting nearly 70 percent fewer emissions than the "cleanest" of its competitors.
430 horsepower! This almost goes against the whole purpose of going green. I'm in the market for a new car and I really want a hybrid. My main goal is to get a car that I'm getting better gas mileage than a normal car would. Not just good mileage for that type of car. The Prius really rocks the mileage, I just don't know if I would feel safe in a car that small. I'm waiting until I can get the mileage I want and have navigation and bluetooth so I can have my iPhone be hands free