xcel
02-21-2009, 11:21 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg But buyers may still be attracted to the luxury crossover, given the increasing acceptance of hybrids as a socially approved good thing. (latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-fi-neil20-2009feb20,0,5194695.story)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Lexus_RX_450h1.jpgDan Neil – LA Times (latimes.com) – Feb. 20, 2009
2010 Lexus RX450h -- 28 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
The price of fuel efficient luxury... -- Ed.
Whenever I write a column about a certain green automotive technology -- hybrids, electrics, diesels, city cars -- I can count on a certain percentage of e-mails to the effect of: "Kiss my butt, latte boy. Just for that I'm gonna leave mah truck running in the yard at night with a brick on the gas pedal. Eat carbon, you little rainbow."
What I call the "NASCAR effect" is a consequence of what is known in social psychology as the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct. The theory holds that whenever people encounter a message about what they ought to do (e.g., save gas, buy a hybrid), and see few people actually doing it, they tend to rebel and do the opposite. If in a dirty, littered landscape there are big signs that say, "Please don't litter," people will take their cue from the environment and litter.
People can be such jerks, can't they? ...
The hybrid RX450h, arriving in showrooms in a few months, is likely to be priced about $7,000 more... But it's basically the same car with the same performance as the RX350 (0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds), except that the hybrid model gets 28 mpg with FWD and 27 mpg in AWD.
In itself, the fuel economy doesn't justify the additional cost, unless gasoline starts selling for $10 a gallon. Question: Given the increasing social acceptance of hybrids as a good thing, will more people step up to the hybrid model, even though it's not in their economic best interest?
Is the RX450h the right thing to do? Well, you could always get a Toyota Prius and get 50 mpg, so it's more accurate to say the big hybrid ute is less wrong than right. Search your conscience and your wallet. And please don't litter… http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-fi-neil20-2009feb20,0,5194695.story
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2010_Lexus_RX_450h1.jpgDan Neil – LA Times (latimes.com) – Feb. 20, 2009
2010 Lexus RX450h -- 28 mpgUS combined on the 08 EPA.
The price of fuel efficient luxury... -- Ed.
Whenever I write a column about a certain green automotive technology -- hybrids, electrics, diesels, city cars -- I can count on a certain percentage of e-mails to the effect of: "Kiss my butt, latte boy. Just for that I'm gonna leave mah truck running in the yard at night with a brick on the gas pedal. Eat carbon, you little rainbow."
What I call the "NASCAR effect" is a consequence of what is known in social psychology as the Focus Theory of Normative Conduct. The theory holds that whenever people encounter a message about what they ought to do (e.g., save gas, buy a hybrid), and see few people actually doing it, they tend to rebel and do the opposite. If in a dirty, littered landscape there are big signs that say, "Please don't litter," people will take their cue from the environment and litter.
People can be such jerks, can't they? ...
The hybrid RX450h, arriving in showrooms in a few months, is likely to be priced about $7,000 more... But it's basically the same car with the same performance as the RX350 (0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds), except that the hybrid model gets 28 mpg with FWD and 27 mpg in AWD.
In itself, the fuel economy doesn't justify the additional cost, unless gasoline starts selling for $10 a gallon. Question: Given the increasing social acceptance of hybrids as a good thing, will more people step up to the hybrid model, even though it's not in their economic best interest?
Is the RX450h the right thing to do? Well, you could always get a Toyota Prius and get 50 mpg, so it's more accurate to say the big hybrid ute is less wrong than right. Search your conscience and your wallet. And please don't litter… http://www.latimes.com/classified/automotive/highway1/la-fi-neil20-2009feb20,0,5194695.story