DRIVEN: Is Lexus' GS450h Is A Sign Of Performance Hybrids To Come?

DRIVEN: Is Lexus' GS450h Is A Sign Of Performance Hybrids To Come?
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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LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 6/19/2010 6:30:54 PM
+4 Boost
the GS was created in a time where gas prices were not soaring, and when Lexus thought it would use hybrid technology as a type of "turbo." Course, times have changed as we see the HS and the CT coming out.

Which is also why the RXh has always been the best all rounder hybrid. 295hp and still 30 combined mpg. Why would anyone buy the 187 hp, 35 mph HS?


LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 6/19/2010 6:36:00 PM
+1 Boost
oops I meant 35 mpg.

ALso love how the article as a picture of the RX...lol


bmwdrvrbmwdrvr - 6/19/2010 7:00:48 PM
+7 Boost
Not sure how you can really call the GS hybrid a performance car, just because it goes 0-60 as fast as the GS350 which similar gas mileage doesnt mean its the least bit entertaining its steering is still vague, and overall its just boring other than its good looks its nothing really special about it other than if you have to have a hybrid....


als723als723 - 6/20/2010 2:47:01 AM
+4 Boost
When this car came out, it was the fastest Lexus... which is saying a lot for a car that gets 25mpg highway... I don't know any sedan off the top of my head that can do 0-60 in 5 seconds that gets 25mpg...


WillisWillis - 6/20/2010 12:38:26 PM
+2 Boost
So in other words it's an amazing performance car that is fast from 0-60, handles well on the track and gets 25 mpg? Wow!!!


als723als723 - 6/20/2010 9:38:34 PM
+2 Boost
You are incorrect. As far as I know... 5.2 seconds is less than 5.6 seconds. Do the research.


BMW4me4everBMW4me4ever - 6/21/2010 9:58:37 AM
0 Boost
Let start with the 2010 BMW 535i sedan or the 2011 BMW 535i sedan. 300 hp ... 0 to 60 in 5.7 to 5.9 seconds .... highway mpg for the 2011 is 29 mpg.

2011 BMW 550. 400 hp .... 0 to 60 in under 5 seconds .... 24 mpg highway ...


t_bonet_bone - 6/20/2010 5:20:16 PM
+3 Boost
Still room to improve. Cut the gas engine from 300hp to 200hp, and then triple the electric motor power. Then you could get the same performance but 35mpg instead of 25.


SilentMajoritySilentMajority - 6/21/2010 12:22:10 AM
+1 Boost
I was hoping 2000-05, GS300-430 model gauge clusters would have trickled down to these new models because I always loved those 3 rounded shaped gauge clusters with luminiscent green colored background which looked as if it was glowing in the dark. It was simply one of the most beautiful creation from the Lexus in my opinion.


Silent Majority-


thetruth01thetruth01 - 6/21/2010 5:23:43 PM
+2 Boost
Critics here need to remember that this car came out 4 years ago. Hybrids from BMW and the Germans were still years away. n fact, mnay of you claimed they would never make hybrids, sticking to those wonderful diesels. Hmm, guess Lexus was right all along. I, for one, am looking forward to the next generation, to see how Lexus answers the replies from the Germans. In the meantime, the car is still one of the best sports sedans in the world, 4 years old or not.


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