Toyota has launched two new vehicles in Japan, the first hybrid SUVs in its home market.
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The Toyota Harrier Hybrid [on sale in the US in April as the Lexus 400h] and Kluger [Highlander] Hybrid are equipped with a newly developed high-power hybrid system based on the concept of producing a sophisticated fusion of ecology and power, Japan’s largest automaker told Kyodo News.
The new hybrid SUVs achieve ”the world’s highest level of fuel efficiency” in their classes, equivalent to that of compact vehicles, Toyota reportedly said. Their emission levels are 75% lower than 2005 standards under the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Ministry’s approval system for low-emission cars, the news agency said.
Kyodo News said the vehicles, with high-output 3.3-litre V6 petrol engines, offer fuel efficiency that exceeds by 5% the level demanded by standards Japan is to introduce in 2010, thus qualifying for preferential ‘green tax’ treatment.
Toyota aims to sell 500 of each model per month in Japan, the report added.
