Lexus GS 450h

Environmental care for most people means driving a Toyota Prius.

But now, at the forefront of hybrid technology, Lexus brings the GS 450h – the world’s first high performance hybrid saloon. Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, which brought the car industry saying “oh!” into the 21st Century with the noble Prius.

The Lexus GS 450h is a big car that has a conventional 3.5-litre, V6 petrol engine delivering 292bhp which is supplemented by an electric motor powered by a battery pack in the boot, which adds another 197bhp.

The GS 450h can run for just 2km in electric mode only. But the petrol engine gives the car a chance to recharge its batteries through regenerative braking. Other neat touches include the engine shutting off and then restarting when it is time to pull away at traffic lights. This is a car full of creative tricks.

The actual total output from the two power plants is 335bhp when working in combination, which is enough to propel the GS 450h to 62mph in 5.9s and on to an electronically limited top end speed of 155mph.

For a more customized car, Lexus aftermarket parts can be added to this big one.

Acceleration is completely gives you less effort for the engine is so quiet and smooth, even under hard acceleration and with a seamless CVT automatic gearbox. This car assures no rough noises, or squirming torque-steer, or roars to the red line.

The car runs quick and everything is finger light, thereby giving relaxed ride and relatively few sporting pretensions.

The adaptive variable suspension has a Sport setting, which also minimizes the steering ratio. The gearbox have a sequential-shift mode, with six pre-set gears; but somehow, using these, given the beyond adequate response in the normal settings, is hardly necessary.

The GS 450h claims that it is a mighty impressive car when judged against the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi’s A6. That is a tough competition, but there is no other place for the elegant Lexus and the pure petrol-powered 460 that won the World Car of the Year Award.

As regards styling, the Japanese brand has combined the huge interior space of a big Mercedes with a sloping, near coupe-style roofline to come up with a shape that belies the car’s iconic five-meter length. Lexus might not quite compete with what the finest cars Europe has to offer when it comes to looks, but the pay-off comes with their legendary build quality and reliability, as well as the ever so gentle sense of smugness.

Written by Car Enthusiast on July 31st, 2007 with no comments.
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Diminished Value- The Biggest Secret in the Insurance Company

Portland, Ore., 2008 – The Appraisal Group of America is an expert in the field of Diminished Value. If you’ve never heard of it before it’s important to know because it could cost you thousands of dollars. Any consumer seeking to recovery the maximum possible from automobile accident appraisals should find out all they can about this hidden fact.

If your car is newer than 2002 and the accident was not your fault, Diminished Value is due to you and can be paid nationally by every insurance company. Diminished Value Claims can be worth 20-50% of the vehicle’s resale value, typically worth in the thousands. Typical claims for Diminished Value scenarios can run around $4,000 -$15,000 for a single claim and estimates on luxury high end vehicles can get even higher amounts.

Research shows that 55% of consumers would not buy a car if had been in an accident and over 80% would want a huge discount on the price before they would consider such a purchase. A study completed by the State of Florida determined “uncompensated losses” due to “decreased value” were estimated to be worth over twenty billion dollars in the United States.

When a demand for diminished value is made, insurance companies may deny diminished value has happened. Claimants need to support their diminished value claims with an expert appraisal that can determine that diminished value has occurred. Appraisal Group of America fights to get you the settlement that you’re entitled to – all across the nation.

Jack Donnelly – LTC US Army (Ret) a total loss client says it all -

“Thanks for your tenacious persistence in prosecuting my claim with USAA… Without your expertise I never would have gotten the over $21K plus tax from them. I have recommended you to friends and will continue to do so in the future.”

Terry Fisher, Automobile Diminished Value Expert gets consumers millions of dollars for Diminished Value Claims. Even if your claim has already been settled, you can still file a separate Diminished Value claim as long as the repairs are recent.

You can contact Terry Fisher at Autoloss.com and get a free quote online for your diminished value appraisal. Call them Toll-Free at (877) 655-1661.

Written by Car Enthusiast on August 20th, 2008 with comments disabled.
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