Lexus hybridizes sports sedan

The GS450h is the world's first series production ICE-electric hybrid in a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration, according to Toyota.

What makes a GS a Lexus GS is the spirit of a sports sedan, possessing exceptional vehicle dynamics that stimulate the driver,” declares Chief Engineer Shigetoshi Miyoshi, who had tested the excitement of sports and GT car driving during his tenure in Europe.

The Lexus GS450h is a premium high-performance sedan endowed with extraordinary driving performance due to its hybrid drive system. In conjunction with a conventional 3.5-L V6 internal combustion engine (ICE), it allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.6 s and reaches a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph)-the “allowable limit” by its powertrain for most markets. The Japanese-market model is governed not to exceed 180 km/h (112 mph) by an unwritten decree/agreement among the manufacturers there. For America, quoted numbers are 5.2 s from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) and a 131-mph (211-km/h) top speed. The European version's top speed is extended to 250 km/h (155 mph) by taller final gearing at a slight sacrifice in the acceleration department. The performance matches that of a high-performance sedan powered by a conventional V-configured engine in the 4.5-5.0 L displacement range, thus the 450 designation.