One of Agent001's favorite vehicles is the Lexus GS450h. Ask him about it and he'll probably mention something like it has the power of a BMW E39 M5 without any of the costs [meaning emissions, low MPG].
Too bad it has taken The Detroit News so long to figure this one out.
Regardless, the performance hybrid is starting to make some headway contrary to what the writer says in the attached piece. For example, look no further than what I am piloting this week; a BMW X6 ActiveHybrid. Armed with a 4.4L twin-turbo'd V8 and producing upwards of 480-horsepower it means business.
And if you want to get really out of this world, check out the Porsche 918 Spyder, which is all-but-confirmed for production. That is UNREAL performance from a hybrid powertrain. Word on the street is suggesting that if Porsche can get 1,000 buyers it can make a business case for the 918. Go get 'em, Porsche.
Have no fear if you need to get to Starbucks for that grande soy double double cafe latte in 4.5 seconds while saving the world.
Just kidding.
Read on below to read The Detroit News' take on the 2010 GS450h...
It's the car that makes you scratch your head: the 2010 Lexus GS 450h.
The reason it comes across as confusing is because this rear-wheel-drive sedan is one of the most fun Lexus cars to drive. It's all sport on the highway.
The pickup is phenomenal. It boasts nearly 300 horsepower from its 3.5-liter V-6 and on the open road, it's library quiet. The steering is crisp. While heavy, the body remains stiff through turns and its adaptive variable suspension holds the car nicely to the road.
Oh, and, it's a hybrid.
But this is a hybrid for enthusiasts, one that uses electricity for power and not just efficiency. What other mainstream hybrid goes 0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds...
[Source: The Detroit News]
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