THE 2007 LEXUS GS 450H - THE HYBRID WITH MUSCLE
By Colin Ayres - EcoCarOnline.com
The Lexus GS 450h, due out in spring of 2006, will obliterate any doubt that hybrids are, well, slow and boring. Designed for the "fast-paced" driver, it is perfect choice for those people that didn't race to the car lot for the release of the Prius.
The GS 450h was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in March, 2005. And jaws haven't shut since. For most auto makers, the introduction of hybrid technology meant boosted fuel efficiency and reduced emissions. For Lexus, that was merely a platform. Maybe even a challenge. How can hybrid technology support real "go"? The mega company's response came in the form of the GS 450h: The hybrid with muscle.
Driving the GS 450h will make any driver quickly forget that it's powered only
in part by fuel. Its horsepower alone, over 300 ponies, feels more like a nuclear
reactor than a battery. But there's nothing glowing under the hood. In fact,
all that "go" is generated by a 3.5-liter, V6 engine (though it feels
like a V8) and a high-output electric motor - all driving the rear wheels - pushing
its zero-to-60 acceleration below six seconds. All that combined with an estimated
29 mpg and a luxurious, spacious interior, you're driving one of the best cars
on the road today.
It's a far cry from the Prius' 110 horsepower and 50-plus mpg. It's in the same ballpark as the Honda Accord Hybrid. But, in reality, no hybrid on the market today can actually match, or catch, the GS 450h. It doesn't drive like you're saving gas, money or the earth. It drives like you're saving time. From point A to point B, the fastest way to get there isn't a straight line anymore. It's the GS 450h.
This is a car sold solely on performance. Preserving the environment and the thickness of your wallet is just an added bonus. But what's wrong with that?
| Specifications |
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| Price: |
$60,000 - $65,000 (MSRP) |
| Powertrain: |
3.5 liter V6 engine |
| Electric motors: |
Permanent magnet |
| Estimated HP: |
350 |
| EPA emissions rating: |
not available |
| EPA-estimated mileage ratings: |
29 mpg (May Vary) |
| Transmission: |
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) |
| Wheelbase: |
112.2 in. |
| Length: |
190 in. |
| Width: |
71.1 in. |
| Height: |
56.1 in. |
Source. HybridCars.com and Lexus.com |
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