Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

Lexus IS 300h promises unrivalled ownership costs

The new Lexus IS - launched at Detroit in January and costing from £26,495 for the IS 250 in the UK – actually offers ownership costs that eclipse diesel offerings from the likes of Jaguar, BMW, Audi and Mercedes, say Lexus. Despite the logical assumption that the complex hybrid powerplant in the IS 300h would cost more to maintain, Lexus say the opposite is true. Because it has no clutch and the starter motor and alternator are integrated they require no servicing or replacement and Lexus has fitted a timing chain instead of a timing belt, so it won’t need regular replacement either.

Hyundai Equus price starts at $58,900

The 2011 Hyundai Equus sedan--the flagship of the Korean automaker's growing lineup--gets a base sticker price of $58,900, including shipping charges. That base price is for the Equus Signature trim level. There also is an Equus Ultimate trim that includes niceties such as reclining rear seats, an entertainment system and a refrigerator in the rear console--priced at $65,400.

BMW ActiveHybrid 7 at 2009 Frankfurt motor show

By Ben Pulman First Official Pictures 13 August 2009 14:30 This is BMW’s new ActiveHybrid 7, a hybrid limo which will compete with the Mercedes S400 Hybrid and Lexus LS600h as the car of choice for the rich but eco-conscious businessman. Not quite. Both car use the same 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8, but the hybrid X6 is more performance biased.