Lexus-RX

Lexus-RX

The Lexus RX is a crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) sold since 1998 by Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. Originally released in its home market of Japan in late 1997 as the Toyota Harrier, exports began in early 1998 as Lexus RX. Three generations of the Lexus RX have been produced to date, the first being compact in size, and the latter two classified as mid-size. Both front- and four-wheel drive configurations have been used on the RX series, and several gasoline powertrain options, including V6 engines and hybrid systems, have been offered. In the Lexus model lineup, the RX sits below the larger GX and LX body-on-frame SUVs, and remains the marque's only crossover model. The RX name stands for Radiant Crossover. It has also been labelled as "Recreation Cross Country" in some markets.

 Introduced in 2009 as a 2010 model year vehicle, the RX 450h (GLV10/GLV15) premiered alongside its non-hybrid counterpart, the RX 350. Manufacturer's specifications indicated largely identical outward dimensions for the RX 450h with the RX 350. The RX 450h was scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in mid to late 2009, with sales introductions for the RX 450h in Asia (including Japan) and Europe in the same year. The RX 450h features an upgraded 3.5 L 2GR-FE V6 engine (shared with the RX 350) which produces 245 hp (183 kW) at 6000 rpm, along with a new inverter which boosts total horsepower to 297 hp (221 kW) (with the electric motors providing an added 22 hp (16 kW)). The new inverter is 8 kg lighter, and more efficient. Up to three electric motors are used in the hybrid system, including two dual motors for the forward wheels (123 kW output), and a third for the rear wheels on the AWD model (50 kW; engages when slippage is detected or the throttle pressed firmly). The RX 450h's V6 engine now runs on the Atkinson cycle for added efficiency. Compared to the prior Otto cycle system, the Atkinson cycle has a lower compression ratio, along with higher expansion ratio inside engine cylinders. This system uses less energy to form fuel-air mixtures, and releases more energy. A lighter, more free-flowing oil (0W-20) is also used, reducing friction energy loss and oil pump power requirements. Two additional systems are added to the RX 450h's Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, an exhaust-heat recovery system to reduce engine warm-up periods (optimizing engine start-stop times, particularly in cold conditions), and a cooled exhaust gas-recirculation system to reduce fuel pumping loss The electric motors use the first automotive application of liquid cooling on both sides of the high-current transistors, allowing greater contribution from the electric motors versus the gasoline engine.

 Fuel efficiency for the RX 450h, according to EPA testing, is increased by twenty percent over the previous RX 400h. Initial manufacturer data pointed to an increase of at least eight percent over the prior model. In the U.S., the RX 450h is certified with a 2009 EPA fuel economy rating of 32 mpg city, 28 highway for the FWD model, and 30 mpg city, 28 highway for the AWD model. This 30 mpg combined rating compares with the 20 mpg combined rating of the non-hybrid RX model. The powertrain is linked to an instrument panel Eco light indicator, which enables drivers to monitor their fuel efficiency as it correlates with accelerator modulation.

 For 2013, RX450h models get a new “Sport” mode to complement the Normal, Eco, and EV drive modes found in the current RX hybrid. When engaged, Sport mode not only modifies the throttle and electric-power-steering settings for faster response, but also is said to provide less-intrusive operation of the car’s stability- and traction-control systems. That’s a welcome change; we often find ourselves filling otherwise-serene Lexus cabins with the sound of angry beeps when attempting any sort of enthusiastic maneuver. Sport mode also changes the instrument panel’s illumination from a peaceful hybrid blue hue to a fiery red, a touch we’re not entirely convinced isn’t an attempt at subliminal political commentary.

Current Lexus RX 450h
The Lexus RX 450h's 3.5-liter gas V6 engine and battery-pack-driven electric motors/generators yield an impressive total output of 295 hp. All that thrust runs through a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT), and despite its extra pounds, the hybrid RX is still plenty quick. Fuel economy estimates stand at 30 mpg combined with standard front-wheel drive, or 29 mpg combined with optional all-wheel drive.
Standard luxury features include 18-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, keyless ignition/entry, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control and a nine-speaker sound system with an iPod/USB interface. A Sport driving mode is also standard, which changes steering effort, throttle response and transmission shifts for a livelier drive. Options (many grouped in packages) include a blind-spot warning system, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, a navigation system, a rear DVD entertainment system and a rearview camera.

Lamborghini Reventón

The Lamborghini Reventón (Spanish pronunciation: [reβenˈton]) is a mid-engine sports car that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. It was the most expensive Lamborghini road car until the Lamborghini Veneno was launched, costing two million dollars (~€1.5 million, or ~£840,000). Its top speed was recorded in Dubai, UAE at 221 miles per hour (355.7 km/h). The official press release stated that only 20 vehicles would be sold to the public, with one additional car (marked as 00/20) produced for the Lamborghini Museum. Although early rumors indicated the total number would actually be 100,each Reventón is stamped with its number in the sequence of 20 between the driver's and passenger's seats.
Despite the exterior being new, almost all the mechanical elements (including the engine) are sourced directly from the Murciélago LP640. According to the official press release, the Reventón exterior styling was inspired by "the fastest airplanes".

 The Reventón is named for a fighting bull, in line with Lamborghini tradition. The bull, raised by the Sihota family, was best known for killing famed Mexican bullfighter Fahad Iqbal in 1943. Reventón means "Small Explosion" or "burst" in Spanish, when used as a noun. In the vernacular, it is also used to define a very large party or a night in town. In automotive terms, it means "blowout, flat tire" when used as a noun. When it was used as the name of a bull, however, it was intended to be interpreted as an adjective, a quality or property of that bull in particular. In this last sense, Reventón means "he who seems to be about to burst".

Interior

The instrument panel in the Reventón comprises three TFT liquid crystal displays (LCDs) with two different display modes. The instruments are housed in a structure milled from a solid aluminium block, protected by a carbon fiber casing. The car's instrumentation includes a "G-Force-Meter" which displays the magnitude and direction of the g-forces acting upon the car. The seats of the Reventón are black leather and brown Alcantara.

Exterior

The Reventón features an all-new carbon fiber exterior. All Reventóns have the same exterior color, described as "mid opaque grey without the usual shine."
Lamborghini has also picked up some of parent company Audi's design language. It is the first Lamborghini to incorporate daylight running lights into the headlamps. Seven light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at each headlamp flank the bi-Xenon main beam and stay lit whenever the car is in movement. Due to the high temperatures in the rear lower part of the car, special heatproof LEDs are used for the indicator and hazard lights, stoplights and rear lights with a triple arrow optical effect.

Production

The first car went to Lamborghini of Las Vegas, and was allegedly sold to Khalid Abdul Rahim of Bahrain.
On 21 November 2008, Lamborghini announced the delivery of the last Lamborghini Reventón to a British customer of the official Midlands dealer, Lamborghini Birmingham. However, CarsUK's later report disputed the official claim, and revealed that the car #20 was delivered to Lamborghini Houston, as were two other cars.

Sales

Of the original 20 coupes, 10 were delivered to the United States, 7 to Europe, 1 to Canada, and 2 to Asia.

 A roadster version of the vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The car would use the engine from the Murciélago LP 670–4 Super Veloce. Autocar has since published a report, in June 2009, saying that potential buyers have been shown the car–although a Lamborghini spokesman told the publication that reports of the car were "just speculation". Production was set for a run of 15 units, with a MSRP of €1,100,000. The Reventón Roadster has a slightly lower top speed than the Reventón, its top speed is 205 mph and it takes just 3.3s to reach 62 mph.

 

Hummer-HX

Hummer-HX

The objective of the HX was to position the Hummer brand into a smaller and cheaper market segment.Development of the vehicle, dubbed H4, began in 2004 and the new model was to be Jeep Wrangler sized.
The 2008 HX show car was smaller than both the H2 and H3. It was powered by a 3.6 L (220 cu in) V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The HX shared with other Hummers a body-on-frame design, with front and rear independent suspensions, four-wheel-disc brakes, and full-time four-wheel drive.

 The HX was shown with a slant-back configuration, wearing a desert-inspired matte olive paint scheme, and featured removable doors with exposed hinge pins and removable composite fender flares that are attached with quarter-turn quick-release fasteners.
The exterior's matte olive color was also applied to the interior's largely sheet metal-covered panels. The floor was a rubberized material. The HX seats four, with a pair of bucket-type seats in the second row. The removable rear seats allow cargo room. The console included a compartment for phones and MP3 players with no conventional radio, only integrated speakers and a connector for digital players or similar devices.
Three designers who were new to General Motors, Robert Jablonski, Kang Min-young, a South Korea native, and David Rojas, a native of Peru, participated in the development of the Hummer HX.
  The suspension is no slouch either. Fox Racing coilovers with 2-inch shocks and 2.5-inch springs support the independent front and rear suspensions -- though the lack of solid axles is sure to make purists balk -- and also provide plenty of wheel travel (9 inches in front, 11 at the rear) and ground clearance (13 inches). HX also has impressive approach (56 degrees) and departure angles (51 degrees). It can handle a 60 percent grade, 40 percent side slope, and ford two feet of water while seating four. To protect important bits underneath, the HX is fitted with a full underbody armor kit. Other heavy duty off-road equipment includes front and rear recovery hooks and a power winch on the front bumper.

 With gasoline surging toward $4 per gallon and massive SUVs falling massively out of favor, it would seem that GM's Hummer division would be entering the autumn of its years. But according to J. D. Power and Associates, the brand captures and retains owners better than most, so it's worth nurturing. The trick is making hugeness less of a calling card - a process that started with the demise of the H1 - but preserving extreme off-road ability. As anyone who has done any serious off-roading can attest, size is your enemy on the trail, so a smaller but still off-road-ready Hummer, perhaps like the HX concept (below), makes perfect sense. The HX gives us a good look at the upcoming H4, and if that new entry has all the off-road gear of the show car, it'll be a strong addition to the lineup. The HX sports full-time four-wheel drive (naturally) with locking front and rear differentials, 35-inch tires, a 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6, and an electronically disconnectable front antiroll bar - not to mention that unmistakable blocky styling.