Lexus Taking Hybrid Technology Further And Further

The importance of the environment is finally being recognised by people and companies, more importantly car companies. So perhaps when deciding to purchase a new car you will consider the option of buying a used car, to do your part for the environment.

One company in particular that has looked at the environment and how it can help is Lexus. Lexus offers its customers the chance to buy used cars that are reasonably still new, cheaper than brand new models and are designed with the environment in mind. So if you do decide to go for the green used car option, perhaps a used Lexus will be in your choice.

So you decide that you do wish to purchase a used Lexus but which model is the most environmental? A good model to start looking at would be the Lexus GS-450h. Ever since this car was revealed in 2005 it has made a large impression to its critics. It is the first mass-produced, rear-wheeled hybrid car that can be considered an environmental car.

So how did this Lexus come to be? The Lexus is under the division of the company Toyota and the first ever GS model was introduced into the US, Europe and Asia in 1993. It was sometimes known as the 'Aristo' and the first generation model ran until 1997. The second generation followed in 1998 but with more power that had been demanded by its consumers. It was much more successful than the first model and sold 30,622 cars in its first year alone.

It wasn't until 2005 that the third model was introduced and this was a first hybrid model. The Lexus GS-450h was revealed in the New York International Auto Show in 2005. This car offered to the driver a car that had green recommendations but didn't lack in any luxury. The car has an electric motor that has continuous variable transmission and makes use of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system by incorporating an electric and petrol motor.

So just how environmental is the Lexus GS-450h? One massive selling point of this car is that it is able to achieve the same performances as a luxury car yet has a far better fuel economy. It also has far lower CO2 emissions; although it hasn't got the lower emissions on the market it provides a greener alternative to those who wish to retain luxury and performance.

The GS-450h is capable of achieving 0-62mph in a quick 5.9 seconds and can reach up to 155 mph destroying any preconceptions that hybrid cars have to be slow. That idea usually comes from V8 engines that are slower but the Lexus has the reduction of a four-cylinder and its co2 emissions are just 186g/km. The electric motor in the car starts when the car does and also when the car is being driven at a low speed, making city driving far better. When the electric motor is being used, there are no harmful emissions being released into the environment.

If that wasn't impressive enough the battery is charged by regenerative braking and a generator that is completely powered when the car is cruising. When the car is stationary the car switches off and can then start again and drive up to 2 KM without using the petrol tank.

Purchasers of either a used Lexus or new one will be pleased to know that this car is exempt from the London Congestion Charge (bar a ten pound registry fee) so when you do consider the environment there are more than environmental advantages.

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