2007 Lexus GS 450h Hybrid

I couldn’t resist. After spending one week with the 450h loaned from Lexus, I had to snap a few pictures of this magnificent sedan on an undisclosed grass patch. Sure it looks good on the road, but this sedan and its hybrid engine combination—gas + electric— has an extra “friendliness” to the environment, considering that it is a SULEV or for the rest of us normal people, Super Ultra-Low Emission.

With 80 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car, the GS 450h delivers an estimated 33 percent better fuel efficiency than its V8 competitors with a manufacturer's-estimated combined fuel rating of 28 mpg. Certainly 28 mpg is not the used-to-hear-about-hybrids 60 mpg, but if you are to compare the economy against its competition, the 450h beat the Jones’ by far.

A completely new Lexus hybrid powertrain propels the new GS 450h. The system combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a new compact, high-output, permanent magnet electric motor that drives the rear wheels. The transmission utilizes an advanced two-stage motor torque multiplication device for the Electronic Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT) motor, delivering responsive and seamless acceleration with no power loss.

Now, I’m assuming that most of you reading this column may not be employed by Lexus on the hybrid-engine-transmission division. For you ECVT really means a transmission used on Lexus hybrid vehicles. While traditional transmissions use stepped gears, ECVT can produce an infinite number of gear ratios to help provide optimal performance for all driving conditions. This helps improve both acceleration and fuel economy.

With a combined system output of 339 horsepower, the new 3.5-liter V6 hybrid delivers the rocket-thrusting performance of a modern 4.5-liter V8 engine and is expected to be as quick or quicker than every V8-powered competitor in its class. The GS 450h accelerates from zero-to-60 miles per hour in approximately 5.2 seconds.

A full hybrid, the GS 450h is capable of operating in gas-only or electric-only modes, or a combination of the two. One of a new generation of Lexus engines, the gasoline V6 uses a "dual" fuel-injection system that combines the benefits of direct injection with those of port injection, and an Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i).

Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) operates on the intake and exhaust valves to further enhance power and torque across a broad engine speed range.

Keep in mind that the 450h is a Lexus, and with it comes all the plush the brand has becomes famous for. My loaner came equipped with a deliciously sounding 7.1-channel Mark Levinson® audio system. Featuring 11 channels of amplification with a total of 330 watts playing through 14 speakers, the system allows users to play both CDs and DVDs. DVD movies can be viewed on the color seven-inch touch screen when the vehicle is in park. Although a magnificent vehicle, the 450h lacks in trunk space in order to accommodate its batteries. Seeing that I am not married or have any kids, the worst part of my encounter with the 450h was to see it go.

2007 Chevy Malibu SS There’s chips and salsa and then there’s chips, salsa and habanero sauce. If you are not familiar with the last item on this recipe, you should try the potent habanero sauce next time you go by a Latin store. It has a kick to it; or better, a kick, a punch and a few jabs.

By now you may be wondering how that relates with the ’07 Mailbu SS at all. Well, unlike the regular (and weakest) 2.2L four-cylinder Malibu available, this week’s test drive made me remember of the first time I tried habanero sauce. Considering that I don’t handle spicy food very well—now that I look back, it wasn’t a very wise decision—this is not the culinary section of this blog. As for the spiced up SS, I can take a 3.9L V-6 with variable valve timing rated at 240 horsepower and 240 lb.-ft. of torque any day.

According to Chevrolet, the SS models’ 3.9L V-6 is the first production variant of GM Powertrain’s sophisticated 60-degree V-6 OHV engine family, which is designed to deliver smoothness and quality while balancing strong performance and economy. The problem with the last statement hangs around the word economy. The Malibu SS didn’t prove to follow its EPA guide recommendation of 19 mpg for city. It stayed around 16.5 mpg. Sure I had to use up the spice available in its engine for that rocket-launch feel off the line—which is definitely not the most economical approach for in city driving—but let’s also keep in mind that Chevy Tahoe also hovers around 17 mpg for in city driving.

While Chevy has accomplished a “great job” rating with the SS powerplant, its interior still lacks refinement. Our test drive came equipped with leather seats, but a disappointing plastic-filled interior dash and components. As for the outside, the new front fascias incorporate the large and low grille opening, with a black crosshatch grille pattern with gold center Chevy bowtie emblem, projector beam fog lamps, and a prominent “chin” spoiler.

2007 Toyota FJ Cruiser: A grown up’s Tonka toy!

You may have seen them around. Some find it beautiful; others are not as fond of the new looks. When I first saw one I thought: either Lego had gotten in the SUV business by trying to reach the parents to buy their new toys or someone must have stolen a concept vehicle out of an auto show’s room.


This week’s test drive has proven me wrong in both instances. Toyota advances both the art and science of the off-road vehicle while recalling its own off-road heritage with the introduction of the 2007 FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle.

The FJ Cruiser provides optimized off-road capabilities, value and styling clues reminiscent of Toyota's famed FJ40 4x4 utility vehicle, sold in the U.S. from 1960 to 1983. If you have seen one around town, you may think its colors—offset by the always filled white top—are truly a solid trademark, but as an indicator of the vehicle's unmistakable family DNA, several of the FJ Cruiser's available color choices are reminiscent of the colors found on FJ40s.

Trip to Kirkham Motorsports!!!

This morning I spent a couple of hours at Kirkham Motorsports on a live shot with our local CBS affiliate KUTV (Channel 2). I operate live camera for KUTV on the weekends.

Kirkham has worked on many projects on of which you see a picture of. This is the copper million-dollar car that Kirkham built for Ford and was featured at SEMA in Vegas.

Click here to find out more about the car from Kirkham's website

BUT...

What really caught my attention was the home-grown Atom-like Kirkham Rush.

This beast can pull some Gs on an impressive 0-60 mph in under 3 seconds according to Ford engineers. The best part about a car that goes so fast: When it's finished for retail, it will go for probably about $50,000; a bang for your buck considering the speed/dollar ratio!

I got to take a close look on this prototype (only one has been made so far).

I also shot some brief video of the Rush backing out of Kirkham's Garage by Tom Kirkham Jr. himself:

Crystal Clear!!

There were many accessories and tricked out rides at Sema (where I was for good part of last week) but I must say one of the big WOWs was this D'Vinci Forgiato clear wheel. I have never seen anything like. The company from South Gate, CA has snatched 11 International awards with its creative design and had loads of people stopping at its first time-Sema booth to inquire about the design...

SEMA Auto SHOW

Hello all... I have been a bit busier than usual and haven't had a chance to update the blog as I would like it. But here I am... in a media room on the second floor some where in the Las Vegas Convention Center to bring the latest happenings of Sema - the After Market Auto Part Trade Show; that's at least what I like to call it. The official name is "Specialty Equiment Market Association"
I have been here for about 1 hour and I have already rubbed shoulders with a few media people, including the beautiful AJ from the show Overhaulin'...


Later today I will post again with some of the wickedest cars from this year's show. I gotta run...

p.s.: Watch for the most affordable Acura out of the show room in this week's Wheels. It comes out on Friday in the Daily Herald.

I have taken over 400 pictures and there's just way too many to post over here.
Please follow this link to my personal online album... Enjoy it!

by montanha23