Hybrid Lexus GS 450h Offers Ministers Clean And Fast Luxury
Government ministers facing the dilemma of choosing between a diesel Jaguar XJ and a Toyota Prius may be glad to hear that Lexus will soon be releasing the world’s first hybrid luxury saloon, the Lexus GS 450h. The Lexus is faster and cleaner than the oil burning Jag.
On sale in the UK from May, the Lexus GS 450h will allow ministers to drive a much cleaner, more fuel efficient luxury car that still offers premium performance.
The Lexus GS 450h has performance characteristics equivalent to conventional 4.5-litre V8 engined models with fuel consumption on a par with that of a 4-cylinder 2.0-litre engined vehicle.
Proving to be substantially more frugal than comparable sports saloons, the GS 450h is returning 35.8mpg in the combined cycle; moreover, the new Lexus returns CO2 emissions of just 186g/km, markedly less than rival, premium sector saloons with similar engine power.
And ministers will not have to sacrifice performance with this cleaner vehicle. The GS 450h features a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine coupled to a high-output, permanent magnet electric motor. Combined power output is in excess of 335bhp accelerating the new GS 450h seamlessly from 0-62mph in less than 6.0 seconds.
|
Jaguar XJ 2.7-litre V6 Diesel |
Toyota Prius |
Lexus GS 450h |
|
| Power (bhp) |
207 |
76 |
335 > * |
| Fuel consumption (combined mpg) |
35.0 |
65.7 |
35.8 |
| Acceleration 0-62mph (sec) |
7.8 sec |
10.9 sec |
5.9 sec |
| CO2 Emissions (g/km) |
214 |
104 |
186 |
| Cost |
From £43,995 |
From £17,545 |
Estimated from £40,000 |
*Lexus GS 450h power figures yet to be officially confirmed
ENDS
