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Initial thoughts: 2010 Lexus HS250h
 
Lexus has just left us their brand new 2010 HS 250h compact gas/electric luxury sedan. This premium compact hybrid from across the Pacific looks like nothing else you have ever seen from a four wheeled machine, it looks as if someone took a Camry and made it look cool. The HS line is an interesting move, unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, it is made up exclusively of HS 250 h model, thus becoming an alternatively powered range of vehicles.  From the sound of things, and trust us it will be quiet, Lexus has no plans of expanding to gas guzzlers. It is almost like how most crossovers have the letter X hidden away somewhere in their name, the fuel efficient Japanese automaker is striking their point home with this one. While the name, and while the car’s proper name is Harmonious Sedan we’re thinking hybrid. The heart of the beast is a very green 2.4 Liter 16 Valve DOHC four cylinder with VVT-i coupled with a Lexus Hybrid Drive electric drive motor mated to a gas sipping Electronically Controlled Variable Transmission, all together the 21st century power train puts out 147 HP and 105 lb-ft of torque which should be good for 35 MPG around town and 34 MPG on the highway.  From the looks of things our HS is short on options but comes with everything necessary to spoil it’s owner, creature comforts like a push button starter, power everything, a spacious leather wrapped interior, satellite fed hard drive based navigation complete with backup camera displayed on a neat little screen that tucks itself away when not in use. Outside you get a distinctly hybrid looking vehicle with a visually appealing aggressive edge; wearing a bold three bar grill, stylish 18 inch wheels and a sporty little rear spoiler all for well under $40,000. Continued after the jump. Full story Lexus HS 250h’s U.S. release could be delayed
You don’t need to look far to find proof that the auto industry is turning over a new leaf – no pun intended – than to look at sales figures for hybrid cars. With the world beginning to become more eco-friendly, it was only a matter of time before car manufacturers would jump at the opportunity to release their own hybrid vehicles. The most successful car brand to take advantage of this shift in consumer preference has been Toyota, all thanks to their Prius hybrid. The car has become such a sales hit that the company even found itself running out of batteries for the car. Since Toyota is being hailed as the foremost hybrid car maker, it was only inevitable that its luxury line, Lexus, would produce its own hybrid vehicle, the Lexus HS 250h. Now, it looks like Toyota may have rubbed some of its hybrid magic on its high-end brother after reports out of Japan have said that the HS 250h is falling short in supply due to overwhelming demand. We can’t say we’re surprised, can we? Not when you consider that the brain thrust behind the HS 250h had the best mentors at their disposal. Continued after the jump. Full story 2010 Lexus HS 250h prices announced
The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus recently unveiled the HS 250h in Detroit, showing the world the automaker’s fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their lineup. The company has just announced that when it does go on sale, it will be available in two different trim levels: standard and premium, with prices ranging from $34,200 to $36,970. The Lexus HS 250h is powered by the automaker’s first four cylinder gas burning engine, a 2.4 Liter Atkinson-cycle unit that develops a maximum output of 187 HP. The engine is able to achieve extreme efficiency thanks to Toyota’s Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. The VVT-i system allows the combustion/power stroke to be longer than the compression stroke allowing the thermodynamic energy to be more effectively used to produce power. The production version of the HS 250h will feature four different drive modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV. Each different mode can help enhance the vehicle’s efficiency by changing the rate that the engine’s throttle opens no matter how hard the accelerator is pressed. Lexus expects that this type of engine control will be good for 35 MPG in the city and 34 MPG while cruising at highway speeds. Press release after the jump. Full story2010 Lexus HS 250h
Lexus unveiled today at the Detroit Auto Show world’s first ever dedicated luxury hybrid vehicle: the HS 250h, the fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its lineup. Sales will begin later in the summer.  The HS 250s is powered by Lexus’ first four-cylinder gas engine: the 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle that develops 187 hp. The highly efficient Atkinson-cycle engine, made possible by the Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) system, allows the expansion/power stroke to be longer than the compression stroke so that combustion energy can be more effectively used for production of engine power. The car is being offered with proactive adoption of plant-based, carbon-neutral “Ecological Plastics” or (bio-plastics) used in the cowl-side trim, door scuff plate, tool box area, floor-finish plate, seat cushions, and the package tray behind the rear seats.  Among the technologies used by the HS 250h are: standard leather-trim seats, a moonroof, Lexus premium audio systems, and a new standard multi-media package that includes Bluetooth® technology, integrated satellite radio (subscription required), voice recognition, and USB iPod connectivity controlled via steering-wheel controls or a display screen. UPDATE 11/05/2010: Check out our review of the Lexus HS 250h by clicking here! Press release after the jump. Full story First spy shot of the Lexus HS 250h
 Although we’ve already seen scanned pages of the Lexus HS 250h, catching the car out testing shows that sketches were no fluke. Lexus’ first stand-alone hybrid will use the technology from the next Prius, but will have its own skin that will be more in line with a regular sedan. HS 250h should feature a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine for gas power and will also use the Prius’ nickel metal hydride battery pack. | featured reviews: | |||||||||||||||||||||
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