Lexus Launches 'HS250h' in Japan

[ken1784]

Tokyo, July 14, 2009 — Lexus announces the launch in Japan today of the "HS250h"*1, its first dedicated hybrid model.

Based on the brand's core principle of "pursuing the essence of luxury", Lexus aimed to develop a luxurious "harmonious sedan", hence the "HS" in the vehicle's name. The result is a car that not only exists harmoniously with Earth and people but also exudes the high quality for which Lexus is renowned.

Specifically, the HS250h combines outstanding driving performance with a hybrid-system-achieved 23.0km/l*2 fuel efficiency, which is exceptional for a premium sedan. A concerted effort has also been made to use Ecological Plastic, a plant-based plastic that reduces environmental impact, for interior parts and components. Further, the cockpit environment has been designed to lessen the need for physical movement or switching visual focus, thus allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the task of driving. These are among the advanced features that make the HS250h a new breed of premium sedan.

Lexus plans to introduce the HS250h in North America in September.
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Ken@Japan

[David Beale]

For those metrically challenged, that's 4.35 l/100 km, or 54 MPG US, or 65 MPG imperial. Note the Japanese test standard gives rather generous mileage readings.

Thank you for the "heads up" Ken.

[drees]

Also interesting to note that they are only expecting to move about 500 cars per month...

[usbseawolf2000]

In another news, I read that HS 250h gets better MPG than Vitz (Yaris).

[Wooski]

It's basicly a revised IS with the same nose treatment as the RX 450h; and the same hybrid technology advances as the RX 450h / 3rd gen Prius but with a mid sized 2.4litre engine. Makes total sense. I wish they would bring it to the UK.

[ceric]

Have you ever sit in the back seat of an IS?
I doubt any adult can stay there for more than 10 minutes.
The back seat is as "roomy" as a 2+2 coupe.

[hill]

Originally Posted by Wooski

It's basicly a revised IS with the same nose treatment as the RX 450h; and the same hybrid technology advances as the RX 450h / 3rd gen Prius but with a mid sized 2.4litre engine. Makes total sense. I wish they would bring it to the UK.

The article states, " ... its first dedicated hybrid model ..."

So, I guess I'm struggling to wrap my head around your statement, that, " ... it's basic[al]ly a revised IS .... "

What do you mean? For instance, are the cabin dimensions the same? cargo? suspension? headroom? acceleration? weight? drag? LED headlights ? OLED NAV? The 2010 RX hybrid went from a regular V6 ice to an atkinson ICE. So, saying it went to the same technology as the 450h kind of skips over that the 450 (too) is BRAND NEW technology. That's why it's hard for me to reconcile with something being deemed 'basically revised'. Not tryin' to sound pickey ... rather a better understanding of your meaning. I grasp that you like it ... it's just when new stuff is incorporated into a car (or house, plane, phone, dryer, etc), it tends to catch one's ear, hearing, it's the same ... only different in this, this, this, this, & this way. I mean, with all that change ... it seems not the same to some. I'd have to agree with the author of the article. It's a lot of change.

.

[ken1784]

IS is rear drive and HS is FWD.
They are based on different platforms.

Ken@Japan

[Tideland Prius]

What Ken said. The IS is on a RWD platform and the HS is on a FWD platform.

It'll probably get 6L/100km or about Yaris mileage and a little worse than the TCH (5.7/5.7 in Canada)

[David Beale]

Note further that Canadian mileage figures use the old EPA method and are also inflated because of that.

It was interesting to hear the local Toyota dealer say yesterday there -may- be North American Prius shortages, due to the high sales rate in Japan. I presume this is because of -parts- common to both cars. A RHD car is different enough from a LHD car that I doubt they could convert one to another on the production line.

This may also happen with the 250h.