Im interested in buying an Rx hybrid and I notice the new 08 highlanders are coming out soon. Does anyone know if the 08 Rx has any changes like the highlander?

 

new 2008 highlander didn't get the engine/motor upgrade, it will achieve the same 31 mpg city and 27 highway as it did before.

 

I believe the RX may well sit out 2008 and wait for an early intro of an '09 RX hybrid. Larger, like the Highlander, and perhaps the 450h combination from the GS.

 

I've heard that Toyota has been R&D the new battery/electric motors to produce 100 miles per gallon for the new Prius hybrid in 2009, at least this is their goal for the new hybrid technology; I wonder whether this new technology will affect the new RX or not, it will be awesome if RX can pull more than 30mpg on both city & highway.

$.02

 

The 100mpg is IMPERIAL mpg and it's also under the Japanese 10-15 test cycle.

The current Prius does 83mpg so 100mpg isn't that far off. Of course, under US testing, that 83mpg plummets to 44mpg.

 

If you look at the photos on the Toyota website for the Highlander Hybrid, you will see a shot of the console with a button marked "EV". According to rumor, this switch lets you run on electric power only for short drives. Increased battery capacity is the key here. If it is actually included in the production car, that means city mileage could go up dramatically. There is also an "econ" switch which keeps it on electric power longer in the normal mode, no doubt at a loss of performance but a gain in economy.

As long as the RX is basically a front wheel drive platform, torque steer will be an issue for increased power and torque. It is possible to upgrade the 3.3 liter engine to direct injection to improve mileage.

Toyota is quoting fall delivery for the new Highlander Hybrid as a 2008 model. It is possible that the new RX400h will follow a couple of months later as a 2008 with the new body on the RX350 just after the first of the year.

I really like what I have seen of the Highlander Hybrid so I'm anxious to see the Lexus version. I don't need the 3rd row seat, but the extra cargo room would be nice.

Steve

 

Thanks for pointing out those features in the highlander I cant wait till it comes out so I can check it out in person.

Im anxious as well to see the new RX I dont know how long I can wait.

 

Hmm, not quite. The EV button is on the Prius and LS600h L. Both of which are using NiMH. The Prius has 201.6V in its battery which is stepped up to 500V. I don't know the specs of the LS600h L.

The EV button won't exactly increase city mileage in all cases. In fact, you could get even worse mileage than if you didn't use it.

The EV button allows you to press the accelerator harder and still stay in EV rather than feathering the throttle as you do now with the RXh (although the RXh still can accelerate harder without the engine coming on than the TCH or Prius without the button).

The reason for the possibility of decreased mileage is that people get so enamoured by it that they drain the battery to 2 bars. At which time, the engine will come on to recharge and you're stuck with an idling engine.

The EV button is good for:
- moving the car in/out of the garage
- moving the car from one parking spot to another or across the street
- moving inside an underground parking lot (more of a courtesy to pedestrians as you're not spewing out emissions).
- Showing off the EV side of the hybrid
- keeping the engine off until you hit the main road (so you're not idling at the stop sign waiting to merge)

and the list goes on. All of the above is really for immediately after start up (i.e. delaying the engine start).


Hope that helps!

 

NEX,
I understand about the EV on the Prius. That option is not there on current RX400 or HH. Adding it is part of Toyota's long term plan for hybrids. If indeed they get higher capacity batteries (Lithium Ion?) into the production car, the ability to use the electric power goes way up. Even if they do, the computer will always be able to override the EV switch when needed to protect the batteries from damage.

This is an evolving technology and the Highlander Hybrid is the next milepost in the evolution. The addition of the EV button (and Econ) is part of that evolution which holds more promise for economy and emissions. There is no data on the ICE except that it is 3.3 liters and the total horsepower remains at 270. High compression and direct injection can improve the thermal efficiency of the engine and improve the highway gas mileage without necessarily increasing horsepower.

I'm still optimistic about the next 400h.

Steve

 

Ahh, alright. I just wanted to clarify that's all. I don't mean to sound condescending.

Yeah, Li-Ion would indeed pave the way towards more EV and less gasoline. Hopefully Toyota will implement a plug-in option for the next generation Prius.

The TCH has an ECON button. Do you know what it does in detail? All I've heard is it deals with the climate control system. Does it limit A/C or heater output or what?


I'm also curious as to why they stuck with the 3.3 litre engine. I thought the 3.5 litre was lighter, less expensive to make and more fuel efficient. Is it because they have to remap the software when they put in the larger engine?