Electric Vehicle Forums - Hybrid sales pitch gets souped up

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Automakers are changing the sales pitch on gas-electric hybrid vehicles. No longer is the intent to wow you with fuel economy numbers.

The point now is to give you lots of scoot, and pretty good mileage for such standout performance. Honda started that approach with the Accord Hybrid. It has 15 horsepower more than the equivalent gas model and jumps as if the difference were greater.

Next into that mix is Toyota's Lexus luxury brand, launching a hybrid version of its popular RX 330 crossover SUV on Friday. The hybrid, available only with all-wheel drive, is called RX 400h. The ''h'' stands for hybrid. The 400 implies that the hybrid is higher up the scale in power (and price).

- http://www.suntimes.com/output/auto/...ws-fill11.html