Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About The Lexus GS 450h Hybrid System

At last week’s SAE Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium 2007, Akihiro Yamanaka from Toyota provided some details on the hybrid drivetrain for the Lexus GS 450h—the first FR (front-engine, rear-wheel drive) passenger car hybrid on the market.

As it has introduced more hybrid models, Toyota continues to develop enhancements to the original Hybrid Synergy Drive II, which is the core of the second-generation Prius, relevant to various vehicle applications.

The company’s first foray into hybrid systems for vehicles that require more power—such as SUVs—was the system applied in the Rx 400h and Highlander Hybrid SUV. This system adds a conventional planetary gearset as a motor speed reduction gear at the rear of the transmission to increase torque.

By increasing system torque with the reduction gear, Toyota was able to reduce the size of the transmission’s two electric motors, and properly match the hybrid system with a larger engine.


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silent_power - 2/12/2007 1:42:32 PM

+5 Boost

The graph "Acceleration vs. CO2." is quite very interesting.
Lexus GS450h outbeats everything in class.
Lower emissions than a 3L diesel, yet bloddy fast for such a car.
Amazing stuff, though Toyota-Lexus is going to market next generation hybrid in a few months...

rg12345 - 2/12/2007 8:54:12 PM

+2 Boost

If they wanna do that they should try using a diesel engine with the electrical motors. Still, in Europe people feel different about their cars, I just don't see Lexus as a winner over there. Not soon, at least.

chewy - 2/12/2007 11:45:14 PM

+1 Boost

The fuel economy ratings (C02) are very optimistic and will drop with the new 2008 EPA ratings. They will come to reality and won't be even close as to what the grahp says.

1970toyotamarc - 2/12/2007 11:55:23 PM

+1 Boost

This article wont convince the diesel lovers, but it does prove everything we in the Lexus camp have been saying all along.

XYZZ - 2/13/2007 3:43:38 AM

+1 Boost

note on the chart of CO2 emissions vs. acceleration: the GS is in a WHOLE NEW category.

the ONLY newer foreseeable category: diesel-HYBRID.