The New Lexus GS 450h
Published: 21st May 2006
Lexus GS 450h
The world’s first rear-wheel drive full hybrid power saloon
The new Lexus GS 450h introduces hybrid power to the premium executive saloon market, a car that delivers exceptional performance to rival its conventional V8 competition, together with fuel economy and low emissions levels that yield equally powerful cost of ownership benefits.
Using the latest development of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, the GS 450h follows the RX 400h luxury SUV in giving drivers a technically advanced but thoroughly practical and rational alternative to the high power petrol and diesel models that dominate the premium segment.
Lexus Hybrid Drive
The GS 450h has a completely new, front engine, rear-wheel drive, series/parallel hybrid powertrain. It uses a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a new D-4S (Direct-injection 4-stroke Superior-version) twin injector system with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent), developing 292bhp (296 DIN hp) and 368Nm of torque, mated to a compact, high-output, permanent magnet electric motor that generates 197bhp (200 DIN hp) and 275Nm of torque right from standstill.
With a combined power output of 341bhp (345 DIN hp), the GS 450h is not only the world’s most powerful production hybrid car, but also the first to achieve the 100 DIN hp per litre benchmark.
Another world-first is the GS 450h’s Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission - E-CVT - with sequential shift mode. Each of the six sequential ‘steps’ gives sharper engine braking force, in the manner of a conventional automatic gearbox in sequential mode.
The GS 450h can accelerate from nought to 62mph in 5.9 seconds and from 50 to 75mph in 4.9 seconds, maintaining linear acceleration all the way on to a top speed of 155mph, with none of the typical ‘jumps’ between gears experienced in a conventional drivetrain.
At the same time, the GS 450h returns 35.8mpg in combined cycle driving, fuel consumption that is on a par with C-segment petrol cars. Carbon dioxide emissions are 186g/km, which matches the performance of four-cylinder economy diesels in the premium segment, and combined emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) are lower than for any other vehicle powered by a combustion engine at 0.01g/km.
Lexus GS 450h
Our Lexus GS 450h Guide lists the full specification of the current UK GS 450h range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £39,965 - £45,085
Body Style:
Fuel:
Models in the range: 3
We have road tested the Lexus GS 450h, to read our in-depth car review:
Lexus GS 450h Review - Mar 2007
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 6th July 2008
