Lux Automotive

Great Exterior for Cars

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 09:33:53 +0000

Car is the same with prestige. People will see us through our car. Therefore, we should be careful on taking care of our car. There two aspects that should be concerned by us as the owner of the car. The first is about the interior. We must remember that the interior is also one of the important parts in our car. We feel more comfortable if our car has great features and decorations.

However, the exterior is also important. This is the first part that will give maximal protection toward the whole body of our car. We must choose the best wheel that suitable for our car. They are also some chrome that can be choosing to make our car more beautiful. More over, we must choose a great paint to make our car shinier and looks luxurious. Besides, a great paint will also gives our car a protection toward UV and rain. So, it take care our car in a whole.

To get a great body kit for our car, we can visit CARiD.com. Here, we can get some information about products that are suitable for our car. Don’t be confused. Give the best for your car. This is also for our own satisfaction.

Make Your Car Tidy With Car Floor Mats

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:36:46 +0000

Floor mats for cars are made by cutting the desired materials to the size of your vehicle’s floor space. The basic mats feature embroidery and ribbing. These basic mats have been chemically treated in order to reduce humidity, enhance the color of the mat and to maintain it during years of repeated use. Husk floor mats are best for heavy usage areas since they hold up well when subjected to lots of wear and tear. There are two types of car floor mats that you can choose between. There are the carpet floor mats which are good for luxury cars that don’t see much traffic. Many Porsche floor mats and Corvette floor mats are made from high quality Berber fibers that not only stand up to repeated use, but provide an elegant appearance. These floor matscome in a variety of colors and can be customized to give a presentable interior. For example, you can get custom made cadillac floor mats with the cars logo.Then there are all weather floor mats which are made from durable and tough rubber to stand up against the most extreme weather conditions. These floor mats are washable, but not very stylish. Often they are only found in the standard rubber colors of black, tan or grey.The Custom Made Car Floor MatEven the most expensive and best detailed car can be ruined by the wrong type of car floor mat. Floor mats are the one detail on a car that can help make a car look well kept. This is why some car owners choose to have custom floor mats made for their vehicles. If you can’t find the perfect match for your car then you should consider ordering customer car floor mats for your vehicle.A custom floor mat is made to order so that is specifically fits the floor area of your vehicle. The vehicle owner will choose everything from to the material to color that is used in making the floor mat. An expertly crafted custom floor mat will not only improve the look of your car, but it will increase the life of the factory carpeting that comes with the vehicle.However, custom floor mats can also serve a beneficial purpose rather than just decorative purposes. If you have a truck that you use for work as well as personal use then you might want to consider Husky liners or Husky floor mats to provide a durable protection against extreme wear and tear. Or if you are going to be transporting a lot of delicate items in your vehicle then you may want to consider getting a custom shock resistant floor mat for your vehicle.Truck Floor MatsIf you own a truck then you likely use it in a variety of extreme conditions and weather. This is why truck floor mats are important since they can prevent against stains and corrosion caused by repeated wear and use. Dodge floor mats and Chevy floor mats can help provide a barrier between the carpeting in your truck and potential damages such as liquid which can soak into the carpeting and rust the body of your truck. On the other hand there are Hummer floor mats which not only offer you protection but can also be presentable for when you want to make a good impression among your passengers.Choosing Car Floor MatsIt isn’t that hard to choose a floor mat for your vehicle despite the man options available to you. If you need help starting your search for a good floor mat then consider the following tips to choosing the right floor mat for your vehicle.First you need to determine how much you are willing to spend on car floor mats. There are different materials to choose from and depending on the durability you need you will have to select certain types of materials. Along these lines you need to determine the use for your floor mats. If you are going to be protecting a work truck then you want something that can protect against excessive wear. On the other hand if you don’t use your vehicle that often they you may want to select a car mat more for decorative purposes.Finally you want to choose a design for your floor mat. If you are going to be tracking a lot of materials in your vehicle then you will want to choose a mat with a raised outer lip to protect your vehicle against any collected water, mud or dust. If you want something functional, yet decorative then you will have an expanded selection to choose from. You will just have to choose a floor mat that matches with the accessory theme you have chosen for your vehicle.

Environmentally Friendly Cars ? De-mystifying the Hybrid Cars

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 06:11:08 +0000

You keep hearing the term Hybrid Cars lately and been wondering what they are. Here is a list of selected Hybrid car facts that hopefully explains what hybrid cars are:

They are not Sci-fi Sounding cars of Hollywood, but some Celebrities do own them. In light of the ever-rising gasoline fuel cost, car manufacturers have started innovating on Hybrid Cars. And No, hybrid cars are certainly not cars which spring from Sci-Fi movies, but in real life where consumers like you and me have started to be become more aware of.

Even A-List Hollywood Celebrities with the likes of Bard Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hanks, Jack Nicholson, Cameron Diaz, Alicia Silverstone own at least one of Hybrid car in their garages..

Less Power But Much More Miles Per Gallon Hybrid cars are believed to typically produce less power. To compensate for this, they are designed and made very light weight. This is also why their aerodynamic characteristics are more prevalent, intended to cut down on drag and wind resistance as well as noise.

Achieves Average of 50 mpg. Hybrid Cars enjoy excellent fuel economy with the 2009 models promising an average of 50 mpg or miles per gallon. Thanks to the constant development of the Hybrid car technology, the mpg achievement has begun to raise eyebrows amongst the most staunch owners of conventional cars.

So What is the Parallel hybrid? Simply put, a parallel hybrid car is one which uses both a fuel tank with gasoline and a set of batteries. Both the engine and the electric motor can turn the transmission simultaneously. The fuel tank and the gas engine connect to the transmission and the batteries and electric motor connect to the transmission separately.

And What is the Series Hybrids? The series Hybrid car has a gasoline engine turns a generator, and the generator either charges the batteries or powers the electric motor that is used to turn the transmission. The gasoline engine is not used to power the vehicle directly. However, all the components eventually connect with the transmission to run the Hybrid engine. Lower Fuel Emissions help to curb the infamous “Greenhouse Effect”, saves the ozone and atmosphere, giving us cleaner air and better environment for our children to breathe and live in.

Truly, The Clever, Cleaner, Comfy Car – The Hybrid. Hybrid Cars are eco-smart, as comfortable as a conventional one and environmentally friendly, in a class of its own, achieving fuel economy, Reduced emissions and hence less pollution, slower depreciation, great savings and more tax rebates, and ultimately causing less reliance on fossil fuels in the future.

And for more reads on Environmentally Friendly Hybrid cars, visit my site.

All About Car Rentals for Wedding

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 10:14:07 +0000

When you desire that special car for your wedding day you have abundance of choice in Sydney. A quick internet search will fetch a wide choice of rental agencies providing cars, limousines and drivers for your special day.

Certainly, you will be looking for high-quality value for money for your wedding day transport, but it is not the only issue to mull over. What you want is a friendly and efficient service, and the tranquility of mind that nothing will go wrong when the big day turn up.

Limousines are one of the best, and ordinary, choices for transportation for weddings, or other particular events. Limousines have the capability to make an event, in particular weddings, more fun, exhilarating and memorable. One of the reasons possibly that limousine transportation is not something that people are able to enjoy everyday, which is why a lot of people find limousines very profligate and generous, which helps creating the entire wedding event more special.

There are a lot of limousine rental car models that people who are planning weddings can choose from. There are stretched limousines that can hold a number of passengers, at the same time as there are others which can only hold a few. Other limousine rental car models are new models of cars, while others maintain their classic limousine cars, which are sometimes much better to use than the new ones, all depending on the preference of the people in the wedding. Their choice will simmer down to the limousine’s functionality, as well as its look.

One of the best types of limousine rental car models that are used in weddings in terms of functionality is classic cars. These classic cars permits the couple to stand out from all the other weddings, since most wedding usually use the standard limousine. In addition, classic cars do not have the facilities that most new model limousines have these days.

Though, before you commence comparing companies and prices, you should decide on the type of vehicle you would like. Many people choose a limousine, but vintage cars are also a trendy choice. If you see a car you like the price of go check it out, in particular with older cars as they may not be in ideal condition.

And do not forget that you will need a driver as well. Most wedding car hire companies employ experienced, qualified drivers who are punctual, reliable and cater for your every need. Check that the driver’s outfit will be suitable for the juncture and make sure the rental company can supply for all your needs.

Before agreeing on a price, ensure that the rental company completely understands who needs to be picked up, where and at what time for all the journeys you will make during the day. Also make sure that the wedding car and its passengers are fully indemnified

Learn More About Future Hybrid Cars

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 03:30:03 +0000

Maintaining a vehicle is no longer as easy as it used to be. With rising fuel costs more and more car owners are finding it difficult to make ends meet. To meet the challenges posed by ever increasing fuel costs and pollution, car manufacturers are trying hard to come out with effective solutions. Hybrid cars – the new technology cars – offer drivers an efficient, innovative, and feasible option.What are hybrid vehicles?Any vehicle that combines two or more sources of power to exact propulsion power is a hybrid. Moped is a type of hybrid vehicle because it combines the power of a gasoline engine with the pedal power of its rider.Most locomotives are diesel-electric hybrids. Diesel-electric buses which draw electric power from overhead wires and fall back on diesel when away from wires are also hybrid vehicles. Giant mining trucks are often diesel-electric hybrids.Hybrid carsA hybrid car is run by a small fuel-efficient gas engine coupled with an electric motor. The motor is powered by batteries that recharge automatically during a drive. Its function is to assist the engine when the engine is accelerating. The motor also helps to slow the car by a method called regenerative braking. In this mode, the electric motor acts as a generator and charges the batteries while the car is moving, slowing down or not running at all.New hybrid cars are also equipped with unique features like periodic engine shut off. This feature enables the engine to shut off for a while when the car is held up in traffic, and restart automatically when you put it back into gear. Logically, the more electricity the car uses, the lesser fuel it consumes.To help reduce the drag the cars also have latest aerodynamics features and low rolling resistance tires. Also, to enhance its efficiency it is built of lightweight materials. The lighter a vehicle is the less energy it needs to propel itself forward. New hybrid cars are designed in a way to fit snugly into modern lifestyle. To the viewing public they are attractive, stylish and uniquely fashionable.Most hybrid cars today are based on gasoline-electric power drives. PSA Peugeot Citroen, the French car maker is working on a future hybrid car with a diesel-electric power combination.Toyota Prius is, today, the best selling hybrid on the market. Hybrid cars of other companies include, Accord and Civic by Honda; GS 450h, LS 600H L, RX 400h SUV by Lexus; Aura Green Line and Vue Green Line by Saturn; Altima by Nissan; Camry, Prius and Highlander SUV by Toyota; Escape SUV by Ford and Mariner SUV by Mercury.

Self-parking Lexus Sold in Australia

Mon, 12 Jul 2010 01:17:32 +0000

Lexus, the luxury car division of Toyota Motor Corp., has introduced a technology that allows a car to reverse park by itself. The Lexus vehicle equipped with the technology has been set on sale in Australia at an expensive price of $200,000.

The new Lexus LS600hL gets the Intelligence Parking Assistance system as a standard feature. The vehicle is considered the first petrol-electric vehicle hybrid limousine in the world. Two versions of the car are priced between $225,000 and $250,000. But, despite that cost, the vehicle will be sold out until mid next year.

Though there are sixty-three customers who have already ordered, only five units of the new Lexus LS600hL will be imported to Australia every month. The demand in other countries has boosted this controlled supply.

The Australian introduction has been delayed for two years due to the previous concerns of Lexus involving public liability.

According to John Roca, the boss in Lexus Australia, “No, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad driver. People who buy this car are interested in technology. They may not necessarily use park assist but they want to know they have the latest gadget.”

The reverse, or parallel parking system, works with the use of a camera and a series of radar sensors placed in the bumpers. Upon pulling up alongside an empty parking space, the system determines whether the car will fit up in the gap between the two parked cars. Then, at a press of a button, the vehicle steer itself into position.

However, Lexus has given a warning, “The driver, naturally, must continue to exercise all due care and diligence when using the parking system.” In addition, “[The parking system] is designed as a driver-assist device only and should not be used as a substitute for skilled driving and safe parking practices. The driver should watch the area into which the vehicle is to be reversed.”

Aside from being equipped with quality Lexus head gasket, the self-parking Lexus will also be sustained with other world-first technology, which includes rear seats that have a massage function and can be reclined like business-class aircraft seats. There will also be an air-conditioning system that measures the occupants’ body temperature and could adjust the temperature of the car accordingly. There are also headlight lamps that are designed to view around corners. The vehicle will also have more airbags than most other limousines at a total of 11, including two under-thigh airbags in the rear to prevent pelvic and abdominal injuries in a crash.

Most likely, the self-parking technology will also be incorporated on the next generation Toyota Prius petrol-electric hybrid car. The vehicle is due two years from now. With an estimated price of $45,000, the technology is placed within reach of family-car customers.

Hybrid Cars – Technology Of The Future Or Passing Fad?

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 22:24:37 +0000

Hybrid cars have been getting a lot of buzz the last three or four years, and now with the soaring cost of oil and gasoline, hybrids are expected to get hotter than ever. Here are some Questions and Answers about hybrids.
1. What is a hybrid car?
A vehicle is a hybrid when it combines two or more sources of power. Hybrid cars almost always have a gasoline engine and an auxiliary electric motor system that runs off rechargeable batteries.
We normally assume that the point of hybridization is to save fuel, and that is definitely the case with most of the smaller compacts and sedans. But in fact some of the more upscale hybrid models are more concerned with boosting power and “performance” without the usual loss in fuel efficiency.
2. Do you have to plug your hybrid in at night?
You may assume because a hybrid car runs part of the time off its battery pack, that it is necessary to plug it in at night and recharge the batteries (like a golf cart!). But this is almost never the case. Hybrid cars recharge their batteries “on the fly” by making use of unused energy which is normally wasted during normal driving.
For instance, most have a system that captures some of the energy used while applying the brakes, and converts it to electrical energy to charge the battery. This is called “regenerative braking”.
If hybrids had larger battery packs that you could plug into the electricity grid, they would be able to transfer more of the vehicle’s power requirements over to the electric motor(s), and use even less gasoline. But most auto makers have been unwilling to go this route, arguing that today’s batteries could not take the extra load and more extensive usage.
3. Do you have to replace the batteries?
The short answer is No. Hybrid batteries typically have an 80,000 – 100,000 mile warranty. The U.S. Department of Energy tested them to 160,000 miles and stopped testing because they still performed almost like they were brand new. Some taxi drivers have gone more than 200,000 miles in a Toyota Prius without battery problems.
In any event, since hybrid battery packs have hundreds of cells, individual cells or modules could be replaced if there was a problem.
The best way to keep nickel metal hydride batteries performing at their peak is to keep their charge between 40% and 60% — never fully charged and never fully drained to zero power.
4. How long have hybrids been around?
Alternatives to the ICE (internal combustion engine) in automobiles have been around since at least 1900. The first patent for a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle was filed in 1905. Alternative fuel sources were wiped out as a result of two things. First was the development of the electric self-starter (in 1913) that made gasoline driven cars much easier to start.
The second development was the advent of the age of cheap oil that started around the time of the first World War. This completely removed the economic incentive to look for alternative fuel sources. This is only starting to change now, 80 years later.
5. Are hybrids expensive to purchase?
In January, 2006, there were 10 different hybrid models available from $19,000 to $53,000. The most popular models — the Insight, Civic, and Prius — are less than $30,000. According to auto maker announcements there should be more than 50 models available by 2010. As sales and production increase the prices should not be significantly more than for standard ICE models.
Even with the slightly higher average cost for a hybrid — usually around $3,000 — these additional initial costs can be offset by federal and state tax incentives, lower maintenance costs, and exceptionally strong resale values.
6. Are hybrids small and underpowered?
Initial hybrid models emphasized fuel economy, so were much lighter vehicles, and had smaller engines. The objective was to offset the loss of power in the ICE with additional power from the electric motor. This would result in essentially the same level of power while burning less fuel.
But this principle does not have to result in underpowered vehicles. In fact the Lexus Rx400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid both have a 270 horsepower power system. And the Lexus GS 450h hybrid sedan is expected to have more than 300 horsepower and go 0-to-60 in less than six seconds. Taking the quest for hybrid power even further, the Toyota Volta concept venicle has a 408 hp power plant.
7. What is the main reason people buy hybrid vehicles?
Saving money on fuel is the first thing most buyers think of. But, in fact, the amount saved on fuel over the life of the vehicle may not equal the extra purchase cost of the hybrid.
There are obviously other factors at play in the gradually building popularity of hybrids. Some people want to make a “green” statement, others simply want to be the first on the block with a new and promising technology.
8. Will hybrid technology save the environment?
There’s no doubt about it. Hybrids are becoming more popular. In the past five years hybrid sales in the U.S. have grown 2000 percent. Sales in 2000 were 9,500, and by the end of 2005 had grown to over 200,000.
But even this larger number is just 1.2% of the 17 million new cars sold last year. If every hybrid gave double the current fuel economy, from an average of 20 mpg to, say, 40 mpg, that would save roughly 100,000 gallons of gasoline a day. But that amount pales in comparison to the total daily gasoline consumption in the U.S. — 400 million gallons! The savings of 100,000 gallons would bring that number all the way down to … 399,900,000 gallons.
Not very significant. Obviously governments and auto makers will have to start getting very serious about hybrid technology before it will make a significant difference.
9. Does that mean hybrid technology is only a fad?
No it does not. Because the only way towards a sustainable future is to find a combination of fuels that will reduce our almost total dependence on oil. Hydrogen fueled vehicles will be part of that future, as will fuel cells, deisel, and alternative fuels such as ethanol.
But what is almost certain is that every promising solution will involve some kind of hybrid combination of technologies. So today’s hybrid vehicles are an important and necessary step towards a much more promising and sustainable future.

What Happens To A Dead Lexus

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:48:11 +0000

Lexus is a luxury car of lasting performance and style. Buying a used Lexus holds no stigma for they will still be cars of quality. However, there will come a point when that used Lexus is as dead as a do-do and then what happens to it? How many of them do you see parked in a layby, up on bricks? How many do you see used for banger racing? That’s right – very few.
That’s because Toyota, the parent company of Lexus, have introduced initiatives just as BMW have undertaken to reduce their impact on the environment when a used car needs to be disposed of. The extent of re-using and recycling often depends on how strict Government regulations are in within any given country. America has less stringent rules and therefore have no major recycling plants for a used Lexus whereas Europe and Japan take their responsibilities a little more seriously.
Part of Government initiatives to reduce environmental damage include encouraging car manufacturers to implement ways for their customers to dispose of used cars with thought and consideration for the world’s delicate eco system. With an estimated 125 million cars on the road, that’s a lot of scrap materials that will need to be dealt with at some point or another.
For their part, Toyota and Lexus have come up with The Lexus Environmental Assistance Network which supplies all dealers with websites containing up to date information on waste management. This means that no used Lexus dealer has any excuse not to inform its customers about how they can do their bit to reduce their carbon footprint and numerous components can be returned for precision factory remanufacture and re-sale.
Add to this the Automobile Shredder Residue Recycling plants that Toyota and Lexus have built up and there is no doubt that they are taking a pro-active stance in dealing with a dead Lexus considerately.
Toyota Motor Company opened the world’s first mass production recycling plant in 1998, setting a precedent for other car manufacturers to follow. By 2005, they had the capabilities to process 560,000 tons of vehicle waste per year. Any parts that can be re-conditioned and re-used will be removed and processed to make them as good as new. This leaves urethane foam, fibre, copper, glass and plastics that can be re-used and reformed into something else that will work just as well.
All the recyclable materials on a used Lexus now amount to 85% of the vehicle, leaving only 15% for landfill sites and that’s a pretty impressive figure. The aim for the future is to make 95% of vehicle parts and materials re-usable or recyclable. Of course, this all depends on how eco-friendly the vehicle is in original manufacture and Lexus aim to make their vehicles lighter whilst being just as strong with better fuel consumption and less emissions. If these things are taken into consideration, you can then start to look at how materials can be re-used alter on in the used Lexus life.
What concerns me is that the technology already exists to separate all types of plastics involved in car building to a purity of 99% but companies have decided that is is so far uneconomical. How can you put a price on saving the very environment we live in?

Gms Fab Chrome Accessories Aimed at Personalizing Cars

Sun, 11 Jul 2010 12:08:15 +0000

Along the search of both the automakers and aficionados for a high-performance and high-technology vehicles is the desire to acquire fabulous car accessories to further boost the prowess. Car owners are also evolving with cars. In fact, analysts are saying that the modern vehicles become, the pickier, trendier, and meticulous customers become. Further, with celebrities possessing chic car accessories, the latter become a rolling fashion statement. To add up to the current trend of car accessories, GM is coming up with improved chrome accessories which will be displayed at Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas.
GMs polished chrome accessory additions include exhaust tips, tubular assist steps, doors, handles, grille inserts, brush grille guards, bumpers, 22-inch plus-sized wheels, fuel filler door covers and more. According to Nancy Phillippart, executive director, GM Accessories, “The beauty of chrome is that you can dress up your vehicle to fit your taste, your style and your budget, whether you drive an economy sedan, a family SUV or a high-performance roadster. Chrome can be a great, cost-effective way to personalize a vehicle.”
Phillippart also noted, “The advantage of GM’s chrome wheels and accessories is that an accessory design integration process unique to GM ensures the most accurate fit and finish and most tailored appearance, attributes customers want when personalizing a vehicle.”
GM Accessories sells a full range of car accessories. Among its specialties are Cadillac, GMC, Saab, Saturn, Pontiac, Chevrolet, Buick and Hummer accessories. Chrome accessories of GM have already made a fine start in the automotive market. In fact, sales jumped 73 percent from the year 2004 to 2005.
Kip Wasenko, GM director of specialty vehicle design said that the use of gleaming metal finishes to lend exclusivity to a vehicle dates to the early 1900s, when high-end coach builders used brass and, later, nickel brightwork embellishments. Wasenko further added, “Chrome may come and go, but it will always be part of our brand heritage. It will never really go out of style.”

Lexus Gs 450h Hybrid Extended Review

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 13:45:14 +0000

The first thing to realize about Lexus’s GS 450h hybrid is that the vehicle wasn’t solely designed to be a fuel-efficient hybrid. The fact of the matter is that as a Lexus, this line is expected to consistently develop more impressive and sophisticated vehicles, be it gas-powered or hybrid. This is no exception, as the GS 450h is still a high-performance vehicle, able to keep up with any other luxury sports car or sedan. As a result, car enthusiasts will always continue to enjoy and be comforted by driving such a smooth and valuable vehicle. Considering that Lexus is a name under Toyota, the technology in the GS 450h is just as up to date as is to be expected. The Hybrid Synergy Drive from Toyota is the technology that makes the acceleration much easier to achieve. Since the Drive technology can generate combined horsepower of 340, the GS 450h can rev and blaze down the road like any other sports sedan. The GS 450h handles like any other sports car, with being able to reach 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and then can come to a full stop from 60 mph in only 123 feet. At its top speed, the Lexus GS 450h has been recorded at 131 mph. Part of what makes that so possible is the Mark Levinson system and the CVT technology utilized in this Lexus vehicle. This beautiful vehicle runs quietly, smoothly, and with the top speeds for hybrid vehicles today. Amazingly, the Lexus GS 450h set out to bring together high-end performance vehicles with the eco-friendly necessities of the environment. And Lexus has succeeded in creating an elegant, chic, playful, smooth and luxurious vehicle has wins over other hybrid cars hands down. The handling itself of the vehicle is extremely precise, with a suspension system to match. A speed-sensing steering wheel and the double-wishbone suspension in the GS 450h create the precise handling you’ve come to expect from a Lexus.Fuel Efficiency and the Green FactorIn 2007, Consumer Reports reviewed the GS 450h and it was determined that this vehicle was an overall success, ultimately quite reliable. Thanks to that report, people took note of Lexus’s hybrid sedan, looking at the environmental factors of the car. The EPA rated the gas mileage for the GS 450h at 22 mpg in the city, and 25 mpg on the highway. While not quite as good as Toyota’s Prius, the GS 450h is still better than its conventional counterpart. The difference really shines through in city driving, where the hybrid gets 22 mpg and the conventional only gets a paltry 19 mpg. The fuel-efficiency factor of the Lexus is easily accessible and obvious in the car’s design, inside and out. Most notably it is in the two electric motors that operate during specific situations in tandem or separately from the gas engine. This way, the ride you experience is a seamless transition from one form of energy to another, while silently reducing harmful emissions and lowering gasoline consumption. Another feature that has become a staple of the Toyota-brand hybrids is this regenerative braking technology that self-charges the integrated battery pack. When the brakes are activated, or even if the car is decelerating, the energy produced is converted into electrical energy, stored in the battery pack for later use.Additional FeaturesThe safety feature of the GS 450h are high-tech and near pre-cognitive when you need them. This hybrid utilizes a Pre-Collision radar system to detect oncoming vehicles. This way, even your vehicle can help you prevent collisions or incidences and in the event it can’t, prepare for oncoming trauma. In fact, the safety features are prominent from the moment you step into the vehicle. You may not notice at first, but the moment your foot is on the brakes, decelerating, you can feel the seatbelt retract and the brake assist is instantly activated. As far as active, not passive, safety systems, you would be hard-powered to find one as extensive as in the GS 450h. In the event of a crash, the hybrid is standard with dual-stage airbags in every location that would be able to protect you and your passengers in the event of a crash. The vehicle has airbags placed so that in the event of frontal impact, or other major collision incidences, everyone is protected on all fronts.There are several other safety features of the GS 450h, and not all of them have been mentioned. The fully colored backup camera, braking assist, and airbags have all been mentioned, but there is also an electronic traction control, child-care system, a rigid body structure to the vehicle, crumple zones, and anti-lock braking systems leave you feel well protected.The next question is the one of price, and be very aware that it is a hefty. At the base cost, expect to pay about $54,655. That cost is already $10,000 higher than a conventional gas-powered Lexus GS, but considering the car’s quality and brand, the price is nearly to be expected. After all, it is a Lexus, and the brand is known for expense, luxury and high-end quality. So, if you find yourself in a position that you can spend the money to purchase a Lexus GS 450h, the vehicle will last you quite a while and will be well worth every penny spent.