This week marks the launch of the third generation of hybrid power for Lexus as new Irish owners take delivery of the GS 450 h, a luxury saloon that puts paid to quite a few prejudices against hybrids. Like all Lexus cars it is primarily aimed at the American market where its soft lines will stand out and where the 3.4 V6 petrol engine will be a selling point in itself.
Weighing in at just over 1.8 tonnes it is a heavy car and a good deal of weight is accounted for by having to carry the extra technology that goes with hybrid. However, it will go from a standing start to 100 km/h in just under six seconds and accelerate from 80 to 120 km/h in 4.7 seconds.
This is a luxury car that is capable of delivering fuel consumption comparable with a car two categories below it in terms of engine capacity and size. It is already accepted that when it comes to direct consumption comparisons, a highly developed diesel engine will out-perform a hybrid over long distances but that hybrid is certainly the best available option when it comes to a mix of city and long-distance driving.
As one expects from Lexus this car is brimming with the latest technology. A pre-crash safety system that "prepares" seat belts and the emergency braking system for an imminent crash, adaptive cruise control, fully-integrated abs brakes, traction control, brake force distribution, traction control and vehicle stability control are all standards.
Initial driving impressions are that the car is fast, surefooted and very smooth indeed and the 50/50 weight split is impressive. It is hard to argue with the Lexus contention that it now provides the best and most comprehensive safety package in its class.
The car does have one major drawback. The 60kg battery may be 13 per cent lighter than that of the Lexus RX400 h but it cannot be accommodated as easily as in the soft off-roader. It is located behind the back seats, seriously restricting interior room in the rear and the boot space in particular. The boot will be a disappointment to people who need bigger capacity.
The car is now on sale for €84,757, after a Government rebate for its green credentials. Without the rebate it would cost €98,325.
Lexus in Ireland is confident that over 20 per cent of all its cars sold next year will be hybrids and next year will also see the arrival of the bigger Lexus 600h.