2008 Lexus RX 350 will start at $37,400

Suggested retail prices for the latest 2008 Lexus RX350 luxurious SUV will remain unchanged at $37,400 for the front-wheel-drive model and $38,800 for the all-wheel-drive model. The same goes to optional equipment.

The new Lexus RX 350 will be motivated by a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine, capable of producing decent 270 hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. That's good enough to accelerate the SUV from zero to 60 mph in just 7.3 seconds for the FWD model and 7.4 seconds for the AWD model.



At the same time the new 350 will feature pretty good fuel economy, making about 20 mpg (18 mpg city/23 mpg highway) for the FWD model and 19 mpg (17 mpg city/22 mpg highway) for the AWD.

The vehicle will be delivered with standard satellite-ready, eight-speaker AM/FM/CD audio player with in-dash six-CD autochanger with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL), Radio Data System (RDS) and a digital signal processor.

For some additional money you may order an optional Mark Levinson Premium Audio System and Lexus DVD-Navigation System, which is paired with a back-up camera, projecting a color image on the system's seven-inch VGA screen.


Photos: Lexus

See also: Lexus RX350 limited edition introduced

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Lexus RX350 limited edition introduced

Toyota has brought on the market a Limited Edition trim of its luxurious Lexus RX 350 crossover SUV. With a nice choice of additional equipment, the vehicle stands somewhere in between the basic Lexus RX 350 and more advanced, in terms of luxury, RX 350 SE.

The Lexus RX 350 LE's point is that for a total price of £34,495 it offers £3,500 of equipment priced at only £2,500, which is a bargain indeed.



The list of extra equipment includes leather trim and electrically heated front seats, satellite navigation system, a DVD player, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and 11-speaker sound system, 18-inch alloy wheels.

Photos: Toyota

See also: New Ford Edge crossover SUV will possibly be delayed

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Twenty Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUVs go to six states

A bunch of the latest demonstration Ford Escape Hybrid E85 small SUVs will be delivered to six, not yet designated, states. Ford touts the vehicles as being the world's cleanest and most fuel-efficient in its class, producing about 25 per cent less CO2 than the gas-fueled Ford Escape Hybrid SUV.

The new Ford Escape Hybrid E85 SUV will be presented to the public at the 2007 Washington Auto Show starting today, and is planned to be available to fleet customers this spring. The vehicle is motivated by a combined powerplant, running on electric power and flexible fuel, such as 85 per cent ethanol blended with 15 per cent gasoline.


Source: press release

Photos: Ford Motor

See also: New Ford Edge crossover SUV will possibly be delayed

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Audi Q7 SUV may go hybrid

Audi of America Inc. plans to introduce to the local market diesel and hybrid versions of its luxurious Audi Q7 sports utility vehicle. Even in case of the diesel model the task will be quite expensive: because of much stricter U.S. emission requirements the existing oil-burner will have to be re-engineered.



Automotive News says that local buyers will be able to order a 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine, which may also be adapted to power the Audi A4 and A6, A5 coupe and even the little 2008 Audi Q5 crossover SUV set to compete against BMW X3 SUV.



It is expected that Audi Q7 TDI will cost some $3,000 to $4,000 more than a similarly equipped model with a gasoline engine.

As to the Q7 with a hybrid powerplant, the company stays mum about its technical specs or estimated price, but what is clear is that Audi of America Inc. does not feel really excited about going green.




See also: PPI PS Q7 tuning package for the Audi Q7

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2008 Porsche Cayenne features new engines, more aggressive styling

Although being one of the world's most successful automakers, the German Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG is still struggling to make profitable its ill-fated Porsche Cayenne SUV. The SUV is technically brilliant, all right, but its very off-road ideology is not congruent with an image of the company, which is considered the best in making the on-road sports vehicles.

Trying to give its new Porsche Cayenne a little bit more sex appeal, the company has introduced a new range of bigger, mightier engines and made the Cayenne's styling much more aggressive and dynamic.

The new members of the Porsche Cayenne family were unveiled on Monday at the North American International Auto Show in the Cobo Center, where the public could actually see the latest Porsche Cayenne, Porsche Cayenne S and top of the range Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUVs.

Having a base price of $43,400, the 2008 Porsche Cayenne will be offered with a 3.6-liter V6 engine, capable of producing 290 hp and still mediocre for the brand 283 lb-ft (383 Nm) of torque.

Standing in the middle of the range, the new Porsche Cayenne S, will be offered with a base price tag of some $57,900 and will sport a much more impressive 4.8-liter V8 engine, generating 385 hp and 369 lb-ft (501 Nm) of torque.



The most expensive 2008 Porsche Cayenne Turbo will be priced at $93,700 and will be equipped with a twin-turbocharged version of the 4.8-liter V8, pumping out 500 hp and producing almost enormous 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque. No wonder that the hottest Cayenne jumps from zero to 60 mph (96 km/h) in a mere 4.9 seconds and achieves a top speed of 171 mph (275 km/h).

Porsche also says that, although being more powerful, the new engines provide better fuel efficiency than the older powerplants.

The SUVs will be safer too. New Porsche Cayenne family members may be ordered with the latest Dynamic Curve Lights adaptive lighting system (standard on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo), accompanied with Porsche Stability Management, new Trailer Stability Control, and off-road anti-lock breaking system (ABS). There will also be present a rollover sensor, and six standard airbags.



See also: Edo Competition Porsche Cayenne Turbo

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