For the sake of comparison, the non-hybrid version of the Lexus RX sport utility manages to get 18/23 miles per gallon. The government reckons you'll spend $3,203 on a year's supply of gasoline for this vehicle. On the flip side of the coin, the RX hybrid gets 27/24 and will run you $2,562 for your yearly fuel. So, choosing the hybrid will save the driver $641 a year for gas. Still, the hybrid Lexus is meant to improve the performance of the vehicle in addition to its added efficiency. We hear it moves along quite nicely too, and the driver likely enjoys their time in the highly inviting cockpit and enjoys the stellar reliability that the Lexus is so likely to deliver. Still, this is a list of green vehicles, and the RX just doesn't match up with the top few vehicles on our list. Read on.

While it's no surprise to hear that Lexus will be showing off a more luxurious version of the Prius hybrid sedan, Inside Line is reporting that the upcoming model will be priced over $30,000 and possibly have an older brother in the form of a dedicated hybrid crossover utility vehicle. Based on Toyota's midsize sedan architecture, the crossover vehicle would be similar in size to the hybrid RX that Lexus already sells in pretty good numbers. We have no information on whether Lexus plans to offer both hybrid utility vehicles at the same time.

According to IL's sources, the un-named Lexus Prius model will appear sometime in calender year 2010, which should be about a year after the third-generation Prius arrives. The hybrid CUV would follow a year later in 2011. Again, rumor has it that the Lexus hybrids could be the first application of lithium ion batteries in a Toyota-built hybrid vehicle.

[Source: Inside Line]

Lexus has announced the price for the 2008 RX 400h hybrid SUV, which goes on sale in September. if you're so inclined, you can buy the 2008 models for the same prices as the 2007s. Try $41,180 for the RX 400h with front-wheel-drive or $42,580 for the all-wheel-drive RX 400h.

The prices are the same, but Lexus has added some "styling enhancements" like a new front grille and exterior chrome door handles. Lexus even came up with seven new exterior colors for the RX 400h: Smoky Granite Mica, Golden Almond Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Breakwater Blue Metallic, Brandy Wine Mica, Desert Sage Metallic and Matador Red Mica. Note the lack of anything resembling real green in that list.

Lexus also announced prices for the SC 430, the GX 470, the IS 250/350, the ES 350, and the LS 460. That info is in the press release after the jump.

Related:

• Your Kind of Car? The Lexus LS 600h L

[Source: Lexus]

Yesterday, we mentioned that Toyota is hoping to cash in on the reputation of being hybrid friendly and green in order to make high profits by selling performance vehilces under their Lexus brand name. Just as there is a great deal of hype surrounding the Toyota Prius, the Chevy Volt has garnered green attention towards the General. And, GM wants to cash in on some of that early hype by showing the vehicle off in Washington today to bolster their lobbying efforts in Caption Hill. As we are all aware, there are competing plans being discussed by the nations' policy makers, with distinct sides developing on each side. Those who have already chosen where they stand are not the target of the auto industry's efforts, though. Instead of changing the minds of those who have already decided one way or the other, GM is hoping to sway those "sitting on the fence" to the side of lower standards. What they are trying to prove is that they genuinely want to make more efficient cars, but that the standards being discussed by some in Congress are just unrealistic. Will the Volt be enough to sway those fence sitters? As always is the case, we must wait and see. But, here is a question for our readers: is it right for GM to cash in on Volt hype before the vehicle even is in production?

[Source: Detroit News]

Lexus wants to add to their US sales total by over 100,000 units a year and they are planning to trade on the environmental reputation they built with the Prius to do it. The new tag-line Lexus just introduced is "Gives more to the driver, takes less from the world," but the applications of hybrid technology in the Lexus lineup are clearly geared more toward improving performance than making much impact on efficiency.

Lexus already got reprimanded by the British advertising watchdog OFCOM for emphasizing the environmental friendliness of the RX400h in spite of the fact that it has CO2 emissions well above the average for European cars. Fortunately for Lexus the US government is unlikely to do anything about misleading advertising; after all why start now? One possible reason for Toyota to use Lexus to sell hybrids is that they can command a much higher price and likely generate enough profit to offset the loss they are probably taking on Prius and Camry hybrid sales.

[Source: Detroit News]

Most anybody with a bit of automotive knowledge is aware that Lexus is owned by Toyota, and that they have a history of taking vehicles designed as Toyotas and adding technology and content to the platform in an effort to raise the status (and price) of the original platform. This way, Toyota is able to stretch some of the money that goes into creating a vehicle's underpinnings by recycling them and offering them at a higher price at another dealership. Other automakers do the same thing, but Lexus really sets the standard that the others are judged by differentiating their vehicles better (*cough*... Mercury, Lincoln... *cough*) and fostering brand loyalty by offering a better ownership experience and reliability (haaaa-Cadillac-a-chew!) than the vehicles they were originally based on.

That said, is Lexus ready to offer a version of the next generation Toyota Prius? Some sources are suggesting just that. Currently, Lexus offers hybrid versions of some of their existing platforms and focuses on the additional performance that the drivetrain can offer while not decreasing fuel economy. What might they do with the Prius as a starting point? Inquiring minds want to know...

[Source: Autoblog]

Just as Lexus' owners plan to increase hybrid sales, so does Lexus itself. They hope to help that cause by launching a broadband video channel that will focus on the types of things the affluent and eco-hip buyers of their cars would like. Plus, of course the cars themselves.

Lexus national interactive and contextual marketing manager Brian Bolain says the idea is to create "a parallel with the character of the brand." Lexus is also supporting Project Greenhouse at the Sundance Festival and the Sundance Channel's "Green" programming block set to debut in April.

Lexus currently offers versions of their LS, GS and RX as hybrid models.

Related:

• Toyota looking for 40% increase in hybrid sales this year
• Ed Begley Jr. promotes Project Greenhouse at Sundance
• Crude Awakening for Sundance Channel's new The Green documentary series

[Source: Ad Week via Marketing Vox]

For the second year in a row, the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California will host a fundraising gala to benefit the Board of Governors Center for Cancer Research at the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute in Los Angeles. The event, The Road to a Cure, will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel November 16 and attendees can pony up some money to try and win a 2008 Lexus LS 600h L hybrid. This car is the first of 100 special launch-edition 600h L vehicles that don't go on sale until spring of 2007. The luxury editions feature Truffle Mica exterior paint, an Alabaster leather and black trim interior, special alloy wheels, a commemorative interior badge, and a custom-made, three-piece Italian luggage set in coordinating Alabaster leather with black trim. The green credentials? They also have the world's first full-hybrid V8 powertrain. Comedian Wayne Brady is the MC of The Road to a Cure.

Ticket prices for the drawing were not announced, but they'll likely be similar to last year's Driven to Find a Cure event, which was then billed as the first annual (a linguistically difficult phrase, but who notices these things anymore? I guess these folks do). Last year, Cedars-Sinai gave away the first 2007 Lexus GS 450h hybrid at the gala (then hosted by comedian Kevin James) with raffle tickets costing $500. Tickets for the event were $350.

Related:

• Lexus LS 600h's European premiere at Paris Motor Show

[Source: Lexus]

We've already heard the details of Lexus' next hybrid vehicle, the LS 600h, but now that the world's first full hybrid V8 powertrain vehicle has had it's European premiere at the Paris Motor Show, it makes sense to take another look. The LS 600h gets a fairly decent 29.7 mpg (unfortunately, this figure is in Imperial gallons) and has all the luxury features Lexus likes to offer (multi-zone automatic climate control air conditioning system that can react to human body temperature, a DVD player with 5.1 home theatre sound reproduction).

From an environmental viewpoint, there's not all that much to love here, but at least it's a hybrid. Lexus has updated the Lexus Hybrid Drive from the RX 400h and GS 450h and the LS 600h's new 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine works with a high-output electric motor the battery pack to move the car with fewer than 220g/km of CO2. We'll be waiting for more pictures from the Autoblog crew at the Paris Motor Show. Until then, you can read the press release after the jump.

Related:

• Lexus LS600h: 444bhp and 29.7 mpg

[Source: Lexus]

After a recent tip from Mike at Treehugger, I'm finally posting about these sweet-looking Lexus RX 400h hybrid cop cars. Now, they're not so cool looking that I want one in my rearview mirror, but if they did, I'd at least have to thank the officer for mixing a little green with the chubby blue line (that's a MST3K reference, just so you know).

The Wiltshire Constabulary is going to be the first police force in the UK to add the high-performance Lexus GS 450h hybrid vehicles to their fleet. The constables think the vehicles 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds is more than adequate for police work, and they like the lower CO2 emissions. Police Fleet Manager of Wiltshire Constabulary Steve Botham said the Wiltshire Police would use the Lexus GS 450h "in a demanding police role".

Related:

• Hertfordshire constables now cruising in a hybrid Prius
• Honda arms London police with largest order of hybrids
• Lexus GS 450h review in Belfast Telegraph

[Source: Treehugger, tip from MikeGR at Treehugger]