12.1 cu. ft. with no fold-down capability. Hmm... that's kinda like our old 2000 Corolla (which also had 12.1 cu. ft.). It's ok but the 2002 Camry's swallow-anything 16 cu. ft. spoiled us.
I was talking to one of my neighbors earlier today and he told me that he put a deposit down for a 250h and is waiting for the dealer to call him when it comes in. I will post my initial impressions when I get a chance to look at it. I do however have a concern about the 250h. Since it is likely more profitable than the Prius, what happens if this car turns out to be a huge hit and there is huge demand for it - will Toyota slow down Prius production and redesignate the NiMH battery backs for the more profitable 250h? Hmmmm. I'll bet you didn't think of this before (or maybe you did). I wouldn't mind such a result though - the more we can get hybrids into the luxury/popular/coveted market, the more the general public will want hybrids. If Lexus made an IS hybrid, it would be an instant success. Too bad Lexus isn't making a hybrid IS.
This one is close enough. It's nearly the same size as the IS (interior)... maybe a bit more rear legroom lol.
That will never happen. 30 MPG average is a far cry from 50 MPG. Not very many will pick the hybrid option when the ICE only option is only a few MPG off.
The reason I said the IS would be good is because it's styling has already won over consumers. In other words, the styling is "tried and true," and there is demand for it. The general public tends to buy more on looks than on MPG or engineering.
The rear end of IS seems ugly to me (after so many years of looking at it on the road). I simply can not get over it. Not to mention that ridiculously small rear seat room. I wonder why people pay more than $30K for it (especially the IS250). I would rather have a loaded Civic Si. That car is fun to drive for much less $$$.
They sure liked the handling overall of the HS250h. I gotta wonder what's keeping Toyota from putting the HSD into well handling platform that doesn't weigh nearly 2 tons (the car tips the scales at 3700 lbs!). Seriously - Stick the 2010 Prius drivetrain into a 3000 lb (or lighter!) good looking sedan that seats 4 relatively comfortably and handles like a sport-luxury vehicle and it will sell and be highly desirable. Or keep the 2.4l engine, drop the weight and product a hybrid that has great acceleration and great fuel economy! I must say that the HS250h has grown on me after seeing the Edmunds pics, though.
When do these come out? I want to see it! more specs and info: Newport Lexus is a Newport Beach Lexus dealer and a new car and used car Newport Beach CA Lexus dealership. "The 35 MPG rated [1] HS Hybrid is over 50% [2] more fuel efficient than Near Luxury competitors, and the most fuel-efficient Lexus ever." They have a point. I don't know of any other 3700 pound vehicles that get 35mpg.
I'd argue that Lexus couldn't do this until hey had some sort of high-pot Hybrid system since the IS is positioned as a sort of "sports" (haha even the IS-F is roly-poly @ 3780 lbs) sedan.
Yes and no. I agree that the IS is sporty, but in my own opinion, I don't see it positioned specifically as a sports car. Lexus designed the IS to compete with and steal competition from the BMW 3-series. Both vehicles are offered in two and four door versions. I think Lexus could easily offer a hybrid version without destroying the sportiness. More than half of "sporty" is looks and handling. As long as the hybrid isn't a snail (which the Prius is not), I don't think the public will view it as non-sporty.
Japan estimated 500 of these would be sold, well 20k are already sold. This is going to hurt allocation in America, where the sales goal is 24k a year. In talking to dealers, they are selling as soon as they arrive.
