2006 Lexus GS450h Hybrid Unveiled March 2005

Lexus is adding another weapon to their green-leaning arsenal as they unveil the GS450h sedan, scheduled to reach dealerships in the spring of 2006. It joins Lexus's own RX400h SUV as the only luxury vehicles to offer the improved fuel economy and eco-friendliness of a hybrid powertrain. Lexus also touts the GS450h as the first rear-wheel-drive car to receive the hybrid treatment (all-wheel drive will not be available).

The new sedan will be powered by an electric motor mated to a 3.5-liter V-6 and it should boast the same sporting dynamics as the more plebian GS. The powertrain was developed exclusively for this car with athleticism in mind. Lexus claims that the hybrid system's performance will match that of a 4.5-liter V-8--"it will produce substantially more than 300 hp and achieve 0-60 mph in well under six seconds"--while returning gas mileage that equals that of a typical 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Combined fuel economy will likely fall somewhere in the high twenties.

Like the RX hybrid, the GS450h represents the top-of-the-line within its own model range and, as such, will boast more standard equipment than non-green versions. Lexus says, however, that since the GS is already "extremely well-equipped," the difference in spec will be less than that between the RX330 and RX400h. Expect a price premium of at least $5000-$6000 over similarly outfitted, non-hybrid GS430s.

Lexus plans to market the GS hybrid not on its environmentally friendly powertrain, but rather its high-performance characteristics, and says that the prospect of spending less time--not money--at the pump will be what draws buyers to the GS450h.

SOURCE: Automobile Mag

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