As gas-electric hybrid vehicles evolve, more sizes, types and body styles become available.
Back in late 1999, Honda introduced the two-seat Insight, the first gas-electric hybrid available in the United States. Shortly thereafter, Toyota went one step further by marketing the diminutive four-door Prius and the race was on for gas-electric hybrid supremacy.
The very first hybrid offerings emphasized improved gas mileage, especially at lower city driving speeds when both electric and conventional gasoline technologies work simultaneously. While better fuel economy is probably what initially steers many buyers to hybrids, there are other benefits, including lower vehicle emissions and improved torque at lower speeds, which helps get the vehicle moving from a standing start quicker then many would imagine.
Enter the 2007-model year Lexus GS 450h mid-size sport sedan, which joins the RX 400h sport utility vehicle as the second gas-electric hybrid in the ever growing Lexus lineup. Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota Motors. The GS 450h deviates from most other hybrids because rather than front-wheel drive, it's the first offering rear-wheel-drive desired by those who put a premium on performance and handling. The newest Lexus hybrid began arriving at dealers in April.
The GS sport sedan is also available in a gas-only version which received a third-generation redesign in the 2006 model year. Two gas-exclusive trim levels are available: a V-6-powered GS 300 (also available with an all-wheel drive option) and a V-8 powered GS 430. Lexus pegs the GS 450h as a low-volume, high-impact variant with only 2,000 units projected for sale during its first year. It will stand as the flagship of the GS line.
The GS 450h is marketed with a host of standard equipment one would expect to find in a luxury sedan with very few options (it does, however, include a eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on the battery and hybrid system). The short list of extras include a DVD-based navigation system with rear backup camera, upgraded Mark Levinson audio system, all-season run-flat tires and a rear-spoiler. Pricing starts at $54,900. Our test-vehicle included all of the options listed above and bottomed out at $60,149 including a $695 destination charge. A gas-powered V-8 GS 430 starts at $51,300.
The hybrid technology used in the GS 450h is not quite the same used in the Toyota Prius. Two electric motors-generators (MG1 and MG2) combine with a battery pack and gas engine to get and keep the car rolling. The MG1 electric motor recharges the battery pack during engine operation and acts as a super-sized starter for the gas engine. MG2 drives the rear wheels by itself, or in conjunction with the gas engine depending on the circumstances.
The GS 450h's 3.5-liter, 24-valve V-6 gasoline engine starts and stops automatically during certain situations. The gasoline engine stops when the vehicle comes to a stop say at a red light. During initial takeoffs, one of the two electric motors starts driving the vehicle's rear wheels until the gas engine joins in at low speeds of around eight miles per hour. At very low speeds or when traveling down a gentle slope, the gas engine is stopped and one of the two electric motors is used. At highway speeds, the gas engine is primarily in use but during the braking process, one of theelectric motors converts kinetic energy to electric energy, helping power the battery pack. The fuel tank holds 17.2 gallons of recommended 91 octane fuel.
The sealed nickel metal hydride hybrid battery is found between the back seat and trunk. The hybrid battery does not have to be 'plugged in' to a conventional wall socket to be recharged as the hybrid battery gets automatically charged during the driving process. The battery pack weighs 132 pounds and consists of 40 nickel metal hydride modules. However, hybrid vehicles are not designed to sit idle for extended periods of time since the battery will slowly discharge. The GS 450h needs to be driven at least 30 minutes every couple months for proper hybrid hygiene health.
Lexus is promoting the GS 450h as generating the power of a V-8 with the fuel savings of a hybrid V-6. A V-8-powered GS 430 delivers 300 horsepower and 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 25 miles per gallon on the highway. The hybrid GS 450h generates a combined 339 horsepower with estimated fuel numbers at 25 miles per gallon city and 28 m.p.g. highway.
General Motors has taken a slightly different approach with their hybrid marketing and technology by first offering hybrid technology in full-size vehicles, like pickup trucks, rather than compact-sized body styles. The thinking here is that full-size vehicles, not known for great fuel economy, could benefit more from incremental miles-per-gallon increases than compact cars, most of which already provide good economy. As hybrid technology advances, more familiar nameplates are joining or will soon join the fray including the Ford Escape, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima and HondaCivic.
More than one co-worker commented that the GS 450h looked 'like a silver rocket,' although my first reaction was it bore a striking resemblance to the redesigned mid-size 2006 Lexus ES 350. Either way, Lexus seems to be shedding the 'ultra conservative' image it bore in the late 1990s. Body-colored, strap-like door handles, dual exhaust and a short deck lid add a sporty touch.
Unlike the Prius which goes out of its way with some of Toyota's boldest styling to indicate its hybrid status, the GS 450h is more stealth with its approach. Yes...it's a hybrid but its look is more traditional than Prius. However, the word 'hybrid' does appear on the lower trim of the two rear doors.
I first got a taste of the all-new 2007 GS 450h at a press launch earlier this year in Las Vegas. I received a much better appreciation of the roomy sedan after a full week of test driving this month, although I'll never be comfortable with the alpha-numeric naming from Lexus, Infiniti and a handful of other automakers.
As with the totally redesigned gas-exclusive, fifth-generation 2007 ES 350, drivers do not have a traditional key and ignition cylinder to fire up the 2007 GS 450h. A square electronic fob needs to be nearby in a pocket or purse in order for the dashboard push button to start the engines. The fob does, however, contain an emergency mechanical key for unlocking doors or the trunk if desired. As with the Toyota Prius, engine start up is eerily quite. It's a good idea to have the ventilation fan going beforehand because sometimes, that's the only noise you'll hear once the vehicle getsstarted.
Since this is a Lexus, the interior creates an up-level ambiance with a wood and leather steering wheel and dark genuine wood interior in the center console. The instrument panel includes three deep-set, independent analog gauges with the center gauge home to a digital message center (including warnings if a malfunction occurs in the hybrid system). Power window controls are found on the door. Power mirror, fuel release and trunk-release buttons are found in a pull-out caddy on the dashboard's left side where a push of a button releases the caddy panel. Headlights monitor fromthe turn signal stalk while front wipers operate from a right-hand-side stalk. Cruise control is monitored from a square steering wheel appendage. The steering wheel face is also home to secondary stereo sound and station pre-set controls.
The foot-operated parking brake, located in the driver's foot well, leaves the center council area more open for dual side-by-side beverage holders, automatic transmission shifter with 'sport mode' allowing for more driver input when maneuvering shift points, optional heated seat controls and a storage area with arm rest top.
Ceiling handles are found above all four doors. The central dashboard area is home to a 'U' shaped touch-screen audio system with an integrated ventilation system built in. The system takes a little getting used to, but once you play with it for a couple days, the more intuitive it becomes. An optional navigation system is also available. In addition to a compact disc player, a cassette tape player is also available for the books on tape crowd.
The display touch screen may also be set to view graphics detailing the energy flow of the hybrid engine. Thanks in part to four side doors and a good-sized rear window, drivers have a good perspective of the road in all directions
Three adults can fit in back with relative comfort. Keep in mind the rear-wheel-drive design creates a floor hump. Since the relatively large hybrid battery is stored behind the back seat, rear seatbacks do not fold down. An air intake vent located on a shelf behind the rear seat is used to cool the hybrid battery. The truncated trunk measures 7.5 cubic feet, but can still hold a golf bag and other assorted items. Shock-absorber-type hinges outside the cargo area also increases cargo capacity a bit. Despite its diminutive size, a compact spare is found beneath a false-bottom floor,although run-flat tires are optional.
Being the only rear-drive luxury sedan available with hybrid technology, the GS 450h lives up to the hype of being in a 'class of its own.' (at least for the time being). It's designed with maximum horsepower in mind (accelerating from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.2 seconds), not necessarily maximum fuel economy. When starting the GS 450h, the engine's are freakishly quiet, but with the car up and running, the hybrid technology is seamless and packs quite a punch. The GS 450h generates considerably less C02 emissions (80 percent fewer smog emission) than most V-8 powered counterparts. |