last
updated 17th August 05
by 4ecotips.com
 Synergy
drive is Lexus answer
Over a decade ago, Lexus engineers
set out to create a hybrid vehicle
with premium performance, maximum
fuel economy and minimum emissions.
Hybrid Synergy Drive is the result
of their efforts.
Chief engineer O. Sadakata, says:
“Conventional wisdom says that
high driving performance and superior
fuel efficiency cannot be achieved
in the same vehicle. We have proved
this wisdom wrong with the new RX400h
fitted with Lexus hybrid technology,
and taken SUV driving to a new and
different dimension."
The Hybrid Synergy Drive makes it
debut in the RX 400h luxury SUV -
the first of a range of Lexus hybrid-powered
cars.
Gone are the days when the word hybrid
equated to 'slow' and 'compromise'.
The RX400h, with its V6 petrol engine
'supercharged' by two electric motors,
delivers seamless torque, V8 acceleration,
and the fuel economy of much smaller
car. And intelligent energy management
means low emissions, making the system
more environmentally friendly
Hybrid Synergy Drive is said to combine
an advanced internal combustion engine
and electric motor technology, all
managed by intelligent electronic
control systems. The highly efficient
drive train uses planetary gears to
connect the engine-generator-motor
unit and the creation and management
of electric power is integrated with
a high-tech battery.
Performance and acceleration is through
instant power “recapture”
energy when braking: a portion of
the energy converted to electricity,
the rest to heat (as compared to normal
cars that convert 100% to heat) Advanced
power and system control reduce weight
and reduce component size
Sadakata points out: “We took
our desire to create a drive train
like none before it and reflected
it against the key automotive elements
of environment, safety and driving
pleasure. We also realized that our
new hybrid system was well-suited
for a medium-size or large vehicle.
The final product is a gleaming example
of a leap in automotive evolution.”
The Hybrid System significantly improves
fuel efficiency and emissions, particularly
in inner city stop-and-go traffic.
Here the regenerative braking system
helps to recapture energy.
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