- ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTERLexus announced the launch of its first hybrid sedan Thursday - the GS450h. Promoted by Toyota as the world's first hybrid with a powertrain specifically designed for a rear-wheel drive car, the big sedan will roll into overseas showrooms beginning next.

The GS450h is powered by a version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, with a 3.5-liter V6 combined with an electric motor with a Nickel-metal hydride battery pack. According to Toyota, the combination gives the vehicle the performance of a 4.5-liter V6 (hence the 450h designation), with the best-in-class fuel efficiency of a 2-liter powerplant. The RWD powertrain includes a new transmission combining an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission with a 2-stage reduction gearbox for the electric motor.

In the performance department, Toyota says the 450h hustles from 0-62 mph in 5.6 seconds. Not bad for a car with a fuel efficiency of 33 mpg (Japanese test cycle).

The hybrid features come at a premium price, though. The 450h is priced in Japan about $4,250 above a gasoline-only 4.3-liter GS, and a whopping $13,650 above the 3.5-liter version.

[Sources: Toyota, Reuters]

It seem like hybird cars is the next hot thing, though I'm not sure the German giants will be quick to jump on the train, such systems are pretty expensive to develop.

Well thay Blue tech, and other diesel/hybrid technology already developed... the German makes are in strong force looking into this technology and producing it....


BTW. This Lexus is really impressive, looks good in person, and drives great, as for the dybrid i never driven it, but can be assured the gas mileage is awesome, well worth the purchase price for a real daily driver imo.

can't believe this will cost more than the V8 model. i figured it would be somewhere between the 6 & 8...but the acceleration is very impressive though. is this the quickest hybrid so far?

Very impressive power i would say... I really like this car, and mechanically it would go the mileage as well. I think its the best for the market.

This is impressive:

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Posted Mar 18th 2006 7:00AM by - ONLY REGISTERED AND ACTIVATED USERS CAN SEE ALL LINKS - CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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Following on the heels of the GS 450h hybrid's launch in Japan, Toyota North America announced Friday that it expects a Super Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)/Tier2-BIN 3 emissions rating for the big sedan. At the same time, the company announced the EPA-certified mileage figures for the GS 450h - a combined rating of 26 mpg, with 25 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

Lexus says the GS 450h has 80 percent fewer smog-related emissions than the average new car, and delivers 28 percent better fuel efficiency than its V8 competitors, while providing performance equal to or better than every V8 competitor in its class. (The U.S. version claims a 0-60 time of about 5.2 seconds.)

The GS 450h should appear at U.S. Lexus dealers in May, with a $54,900 sticker.

[Source: Toyota North America]

nice ride.