Lexus GS450h

[Tideland Prius]

KELOWNA, British Columbia — Kudos to Lexus for changing its tune on the whole hybrid vehicle concept. Yes, fuel savings and low emissions are still a primary part of its message, but, with the recent launch of the “world’s first hybrid luxury sedan,” the GS 450h, the brand’s begun touting the performance gains a gas/electric setup can provide.

I have to admit I was initially skeptical about the idea — not only is the gas/electric flag waving getting a bit tiresome, but hybrids can be decidedly “meh,” behind the wheel. Nevertheless, it took just one rain-soaked, day-long hot lap around Lake Okanagan in southern B.C. with the 450h to prove that Lexus has pioneered a new concept in performance driving.

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[TonyPSchaefer]

Eric had a couple of these at Hybridfest. They look awesome.

"Kid in a candy store." He got to take it out for a spin Friday night. We were in the lobby of the hotel and he came bouncing around. "Hey Eric, where you going?" "I don't care."

A few minutes later, we were walking along the sidewalk and this beauuuuuuuutiful brand new Lexus stealthed (yes, stealthed) along side us. We checked it out for a little while and then, just like that, he barked the tires and was gone in the night.

[V8Cobrakid]

very nice post

[john1701a]

I think that review was great.

Toyota is attacking every venue with the hybrid technology. Luxury & Performance to fulfill every desire, while at the same time delivering at least SULEV emissions, is what will shake up the industry at its very foundation. We all know about the efficiency benefit, but to strike them where it really hurts so early in the game is absolutely brilliant.

They should have known this was coming anyway. It's not like they weren't warned. Heck, they even responded with a smug attitude of their own, claiming hybrids were a waste of resources... nothing but a "stop gap" solution. But now, to do this before they even get going with their basic models clearly shows just how serious and confident Toyota is. No more barking. It's bite time now.

Sometimes, they just need a good kick start. No more debating. If they want to survive, they have to begin to participate. Toyota made the decision easy for them, by proving it was realistic. Engine-Only technology simply doesn't make sense anymore. We can expect a whole lot more in the 21st Century.

[TonyPSchaefer]

I thought about this thread after my initial reply. Namely, I thought about how some people complain that it's a waste of technology to put HSD into a performance vehicle. But then it occurred to me that in regular traffic, that performance vehicle will be driving along at ~40MPH just like me. In city traffic, that car's going to be start-n-stop just like me. So the size of the engine is not as important when the car is stealthing along side me.

[LowCO2]

For all those very important people that have to get to the next red light a bit earlier, so they can continue their blackberry chatter, it's excessive with or without HSD.

For all those successful stiffs who think it takes torque to keep their testosterone levels above zero- just get your cialis refill already.

[Tideland Prius]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Nov 5 2006, 09:06 PM) [snapback]344363[/snapback]</div>

I think that review was great.

Toyota is attacking every venue with the hybrid technology. Luxury & Performance to fulfill every desire, while at the same time delivering at least SULEV emissions, is what will shake up the industry at its very foundation. We all know about the efficiency benefit, but to strike them where it really hurts so early in the game is absolutely brilliant.

They should have known this was coming anyway. It's not like they weren't warned. Heck, they even responded with a smug attitude of their own, claiming hybrids were a waste of resources... nothing but a "stop gap" solution. But now, to do this before they even get going with their basic models clearly shows just how serious and confident Toyota is. No more barking. It's bite time now.

Sometimes, they just need a good kick start. No more debating. If they want to survive, they have to begin to participate. Toyota made the decision easy for them, by proving it was realistic. Engine-Only technology simply doesn't make sense anymore. We can expect a whole lot more in the 21st Century.
[/b]

This is when some retarded report said that if all Canadian vehicles currently on the road are ZEV, we'd still have 99% of the pollution we currently experience.

So that report either means that the reporter thinks Canada has the worst coal plants on the face of the earth or he's against the Clean Air Act.

[roguenode]

For all those very important people that have to get to the next red light a bit earlier, so they can continue their blackberry chatter, it's excessive with or without HSD.

For all those successful stiffs who think it takes torque to keep their testosterone levels above zero- just get your cialis refill already.
[/b]

Uh, got baggage? Jeez. People who consider the GS hybrid, whether they be important blackberry users speeding from light to light or not, are in the market for a luxury sport sedan. One would think a Prius fan would be happy that out of all of the choices in that market, there is one that has better gas mileage and lower emissions than its counterparts.

Or, you can just keep hatin'.

[LongRun]

I'll bet Mercedes is jumping for joy at the release of that Lexus. They couldn't buy that kind of good press. I'll bet they will take prospective luxo diesel buyers to the Lexus showroom to show them what they are getting in the new high tech Mercedes diesel sedan. The Lexus buyer will spend a big lump to get a hybrid that will gain him nothing over three years. The Mercedes buyer will break even very quickly, for a much smaller hit for the diesel upgrade. I wonder if the gasoline hybrid just does not scale up very well.

[iaowings]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(LowCO2 @ Nov 6 2006, 10:28 AM) [snapback]344480[/snapback]</div>

For all those very important people that have to get to the next red light a bit earlier, so they can continue their blackberry chatter, it's excessive with or without HSD.

For all those successful stiffs who think it takes torque to keep their testosterone levels above zero- just get your cialis refill already.
[/b]

If I could afford a gs450 I would get that over say the Mercedes diesel. Why because you put out lower emissions and when you are stuck in traffic you put out almost 0. also around here we have a lot of 25 and 30 mph zones so you just stealth through those. Why does everyone who wants a performance sedan or car have to be a self-indulgent wiener? Like everyone who drives, a truck is just some dumb hick who needs to feel big about himself. Would you rather people buy the 8 and 12 cylinder vehicles to sit in traffic in? if you can make a car that can perform when people want it to and get low emissions and great gas mileage when not being used in the performance mode then great. If you do not want a fast car or a performance vehicle don’t get one, if you think they should not be made then im glade you think that and I hope that someday the only thing that other people want and are allowed to buy is what you want them to have.