Success of serial «Toyota Prius» hybrid power units (in 1997 they sold about 360 thousand.) Served as a stimulus for new projects in this area. The result of one of them presented to European journalists in Greece: «Lexus SCRX400h»

Lexus RX400h

For the first time in the world combined power plant equipped with wheel vsedorozhnik, let not any, and premium class. At the approach - a hybrid sedan «Lexus SCGS450h».

Paving the scenic route, the organizers of the test-drive is clearly avoided proselkov, and obuli on-road cars (the gift that vsedorozhnik!). At different roads whimsical curling along the coast, guests enjoyed plenty of comfortable and safe ride. However, these qualities generously endowed with any of the gasoline «Lexus» - that will add to electricity?

Design panel similar RX300, but overlay instead of the polished aluminum tree with the best innovative spirit of the new model

Of course, reducing fuel consumption and improving environmental performance, for which the engineer and hybrids. For these qualities, and the creators, and a surprising buyers initially forgave machines mediocrity dynamics. «Lexus SCRX400h» in the indulgence does not need: it break a hundred for 7,6 seconds - to 1.4 with faster than its gasoline equivalent RX300!

No wonder: it is the result of working together three motors - two petrol and electricity, causing the front wheels and rear axle. The scheme called HSD - hybrid synergy drive. Sophisticated Greek word means more than just a summation of energy (this is true only to disperse), and to take advantage of each of its source, creating the optimal treatment.

Unusual only device on the left: it is an indicator power electric motors

How this is achieved, how the elements of HSD in the process of the machine, more or less clear from the scheme. While her study the most inquisitive readers, I invite others to look at the new «Lexus» through the eyes of the driver and passenger. Outwardly, it hardly differs from the familiar vsedorozhnika RX300, which is built on the base: slightly changed grille, air intake in the form of bumper and fog lamps. Open the massive door: steering wheel politely pushed back-up forward, intending to facilitate the landing of large build the driver. Nothing bother - I'm at a modest 48-m size proskolznul be true, but a colleague would be nice.

Main display - a mine of information from the audio settings to a picture with a camera parking

Quiet pozhuzhzhav, actuators to fit the seat and steering wheel; unconsciously expect that the engine starts here, for example, movement of the driver's eyebrows - But no, the ordinary key! Turned: the wells of black neon light up the scale ... and nothing more, no sound, no rustle. However appliances say: get the front motor. Switch - to áóêîâêå D, let «nozhnik» - gone! Came on the road, step on the accelerator: the power indicator needle jumps up and dvuhtonnoe a miracle of high technology easily outstrips ïîïóò÷èêîâ.

Rear hybrid car unlike gasoline on LED lamps and multi-shildiku RX400h Asphalt replaces the narrow road, nanizyvaya bend, climb up. The verb, however, is not the best: ups are not tightly, only closed curves have to be careful. And the rest - Banks neobremenitelny, brakes tenacious, reliable support for the chair, but unobtrusively, leather Bublik - think age would not let ...

Know yourself, lyubuysya beauty of Greece. Still, no-no yes pozaviduyu neighbor right: it is not only can admire the surroundings, but also the «landscape» on a color display. There, according to the will of the computer mind moving flows of energy, often and unexpectedly changes direction: now joined the rear engine, but the arrows potekli to the cell - is charging.

Although we are dealing with a hybrid setup, does not leave the impression that the primary motive (or drag) force here - electricity. It is not in quantitative terms, but in it, so to speak, pervasive involvement. It controls the throttle valve timing and regulation, has the air conditioner compressor and power steering, helps to accelerate and brake. As a beneficiary of this, and gasoline engine: it does not have hinged starter and generator (to replace the front motor generator), which means no pulleys and belt. He had not selected the power conditioner and WTP: they were electrical.

Manage multiple streams of energy that is so different amperage, voltage, direction, management is capable of only the highest caliber. The electronic unit converts the DC battery power into a variable for the traction motors, while increasing the voltage from 288 to 650 V. The converter unit, in turn, lowers the DC voltage from 288 to 12 in the side chains. But the main task - to connect time-off-switch, making each source and the most favored customer.

What justified the complexity of the power plant? High environmental parameters, a considerable fuel economy, excellent smoothness, especially when dispersal. Not to mention, and on such an electronic guardian angel passengers as VDIM - Integrated management dynamics. Combining the functions of already known systems - anti-lock, protivobuksovochnoy, stabilization, brake force distribution, electrical power steering, VDIM responsible for their interaction with each other and the synergy drive.

On a add: for the three hours of vigorous driving on the roads to the complex terrain «Lexus» showed the average fuel consumption of 10.7 liters per hundred. The company believes that the economy vsedorozhnik hybrid corresponds to a much more easy Sedan with an engine comparable power. Another calculation: Emissions of CO2 in annual terms by 2.6 tons less than that of gasoline when tested on analog mixed European cycle and emissions of nitrogen oxides is close to zero. The latter, to which so demanding in the United States, consider particularly important advantage of hybrids.

Even a cursory referring to technical details, I nevertheless spent much of his text - so unusual machine. Stress once again: it did not for a very unusual, and wishing to achieve greater harmony with the car man and nature. Striving for balance, podpitannoe a reliable source of income in the world almost certainly would show not only the first 4000 buyers have this year, but tens of thousands - in the future.

Many Russians have already expressed their willingness to pay for high-tech product at least 77 300 dollars. I think their pride poteshat not so much saved tons of emissions, but to disperse hundreds of 7,6 seconds - not a boast. Again, not at the expense of nature