Tokyo Preview: 2010 Toyota SAI a.k.a. brother of Lexus HS 250h

This is the brand new Toyota SAI, a new vehicle based on the popular Lexus HS 250h which will be showcased at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The long rumoured SAI, will carry Toyota’s new 2.4-litre Atkinson cycle combustion engine capable to develop 110kW (150 hp) at 6,000rpm and 187Nm (19.1kgf-m) of torque at 4,400rpm.

Although many of you would say the the resemblence with the HS 250h is obvious, Toyota says that the new SAI is four inches shorter and up to 70 kgs lighter than the Lexus. Regarding the design, this consists in a new front grille, different head and tail light treatment, wings and so on.
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freshseth83 - 10/20/2009 2:14:54 PM

+2 Boost

looks like a prius sedan, sorta. Not so much the HS. A mix of both. How they sell these cars is beyond me. Maybe it gets better mpg than the HS but less, and not so luxurious? I donno, toyota have got a lot of hybrids though and it seems like they'll sell all of em. Whatever works though!

LexusKindaGuy12 - 10/20/2009 3:53:35 PM

+2 Boost

I dont know what you see, but it looks identical to the HS except for the grill.

inspirion7 - 10/20/2009 4:15:05 PM

0 Boost

This is why the math doesn't make sense. The SAI is 154 lbs, lighter, like a passenger riding along with you, but it gets 47-54 mpg compared to HS 33-34 mpg. The reference is the japanese economy cycle.
"On price, the base SAI is value at the equivalent of $37,600, but the top-spec model is a considerably pricier $47,370."

This info was from Insideline.com, so don't shoot the messenger. Who would pay this much for a hybrid Toyota? This is beyond Chevy Volt pricing with 1/3 the tech and range.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 10/20/2009 5:52:10 PM

+2 Boost

they pay more for cars over there, bottom line. if you just use exchange rates, its not gonna be correct.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 10/20/2009 11:08:51 PM

+1 Boost

4 inches shorter