The Top-Of-The-Line Hybrid

When you think of automakers and their vanity, the drive to have the fastest, the coolest, and the biggest vehicle in their lineup, you would surely think of top-of-the-line vehicles to be some sort of really fast and luxurious cars that they would cost you an arm and a gazillion.

It is of course necessary for automakers to have their best-of-the-best vehicle. These so-called flagship vehicles say a lot of things about an automaker. See, if an automaker's flagship is equipped with a very well-rounded powertrain but cheap-looking materials on the inside, it could be understood that ALL of their vehicles have the same cheap interior.

Now, European cars are classy and their top of the line vehicles are sure to be really elegant. American automakers on the other hand values power, which means the best vehicle in their lineup is the fastest. Then, Asian automakers are known for well, reliability and fuel efficiency.

That is very much apparent in Toyota's luxury division, Lexus. According to The Auto Channel's Carrey Russ, the flagship of the luxury marquee is a hybrid. Now, that means Toyota is really serious with its green credo.

But don't even think that since it is a hybrid, it is not as fast as American cars or as luxurious as European ones. In fact, a hybrid has a lot more power than some of us give them credit for. You see, a hybrid get sits power from two sources. One of these is an internal combustion engine, and the other is an electric motor.

The flagship of Lexus, the LS600h, is equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 engine powered by gasoline. Now, that engine's power output can be complemented with the power of the electric motor. That would mean significant acceleration boost. And being a Lexus, it is sure to have components more durable than Acura steering racks.