Motor Authority - blog Tag: HS250h

Lexus has confirmed that its all-new HS 250h dedicated hybrid won’t go on sale in Europe because its carbon-dioxide emissions are already close to the similarly sized IS 220d diesel sedan. In its place, however, an IS-based hybrid could be in the works.

News of the IS hybrid, which originates with Autocar, is surprising given that the same arguments that apply to the HS 250h's exclusion would likely apply to the IS. On the other hand, the IS is positioned differently in Europe than it is in the U.S., and that would mean that the HS and IS would compete directly with each other.

Making a hybrid option available in the IS and Toyota... Lexus has confirmed that its all-new HS 250h dedicated hybrid won’t go on sale in Europe because its carbon-dioxide emissions are already close to the similarly sized IS 220d diesel sedan. In its place, however, an IS-based hybrid could be in the works. News of the IS hybrid, which originates with Autocar, is surprising given that the same arguments that apply to the HS 250h's exclusion would likely apply to the IS. On the other hand, the IS is positioned differently in Europe than it is in the U.S., and that would mean that the HS and IS would compete directly with each other. Making a hybrid option available in the IS and Toyota Avensis (a wagon-like five-door) could make sense for buyers looking for lower running costs - the hybrid powertrain would require only less expensive 87-octane petrol, potentially making it competitive in terms of overall cost-savings with diesel powered vehicles. Toyota’s chief of marketing communications in Europe, Serge Gachot, revealed to Automotive News back in January that the HS 250h was never intended for Europe. According to an inside source, Lexus expects the 187hp (140kW) HS 250h to offer similar performance to the IS 220d, which is sold exclusively in Europe. Lexus still plans to offer hybrid versions of its GS, LS and RX model as none of these vehicles are offered with a diesel option yet.2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan Read More

Already selling strongly in Japan in pre-order sales, Lexus today announced U.S. pricing for the 2010 HS 250h dedicated luxury sedan. Starting at a mere $34,200, the hybrid is firmly positioned at the entry-level sector of the luxury sedan market. The carmaker hopes to hit 25,000 sales in the HS 250h's first year.

As we showed you nearly two months ago with our first drive review of the car, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h can't really be compared with its corporate stablemate the Toyota Prius, but the comparisons are inevitable. Priced at over $12,000 more than a base Prius II, the HS 250h certainly isn't going for the value buyer - but then it's a... Already selling strongly in Japan in pre-order sales, Lexus today announced U.S. pricing for the 2010 HS 250h dedicated luxury sedan. Starting at a mere $34,200, the hybrid is firmly positioned at the entry-level sector of the luxury sedan market. The carmaker hopes to hit 25,000 sales in the HS 250h's first year. As we showed you nearly two months ago with our first drive review of the car, the 2010 Lexus HS 250h can't really be compared with its corporate stablemate the Toyota Prius, but the comparisons are inevitable. Priced at over $12,000 more than a base Prius II, the HS 250h certainly isn't going for the value buyer - but then it's a luxury car. The Premium trim HS 250h stretches the gap even further, starting at $36,970. On the other hand, the Prius V starts at $27,270 and can rapidly be optioned up above $32,500 with the addition of big-ticket items like the Solar Roof Package and common interior upgrades. That leaves the buyer looking for something with a bit more style possibly eying the Lexus instead. The fuel efficiency of the Prius is in a whole different league, however, rated at 51mpg city/48mpg highway. Compared to the HS 250h's 35mpg city/34mpg highway rating, there's no competition at all. The HS 250h is available with a range of options, including the new Remote Touch controller also found in the 2010 Lexus RX, which simply aren't avalable on the Prius. The HS 250h is also the first vehcle to offer Lexus' Enform with Safety Connect telematics system. So despite the proximity in price of a very high-end Prius and a base-model HS 250h, there isn't much overlap in terms of target market - the HS 250h is for the entry-luxury sedan buyer that wants something more efficient than the competition, not more efficient than anything on the road.2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan Read More

Everyone in the industry is feeling the burn of a long, slow summer, but few are feeling as keenly as Lexus. Perhaps that's because the luxury import carmaker had so far to fall, having been the dominant force in American luxury cars for most of the past decade.

But there's a plan afoot to help turn things around even as the market continues to falter. How? By shifting its focus to the entry-level luxury segment, reports Automotive News.

The idea is to catch younger buyers that might not be ready to commit to a top-end vehicle, but want more than the mainstream carmakers offer. The core segment Lexus is focusing on is the 25-49... Everyone in the industry is feeling the burn of a long, slow summer, but few are feeling as keenly as Lexus. Perhaps that's because the luxury import carmaker had so far to fall, having been the dominant force in American luxury cars for most of the past decade. But there's a plan afoot to help turn things around even as the market continues to falter. How? By shifting its focus to the entry-level luxury segment, reports Automotive News. The idea is to catch younger buyers that might not be ready to commit to a top-end vehicle, but want more than the mainstream carmakers offer. The core segment Lexus is focusing on is the 25-49 demographic. Carrying the flag for this entry-level surge are the IS convertible and the HS hybrid. Both cars are edgier, more current and more style-conscious than anything else in the Lexus lineup except perhaps the pricey IS-F. The F-Sport line of performance products aims to add even more edge to draw in younger male buyers that want some go to match their show. But targeting young buyers and actually winning them over are two different things. Unfortunately, like many things in the car industry, it will require a substantial investment of time and money on Lexus's part before they'll know if their play will pay off, but so far, the IS Convertible is selling so well that production is struggling to keep up with demand, and pre-orders for the HS in Japan are at 300% of expected levels. For an idea of what Lexus is doing to help swing younger buyers their way, check out our previous story on the IS Convertible ad campaign.2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan2010 Lexus IS C F-Sport Read More

Get behind the wheel of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, and one of the first things you'll realize is that the seemingly inevitable comparison to the Prius isn't entirely appropriate. The Lexus is certainly destined to be more expensive and exclusive than Toyota's popular hybrid, but it's also a fundamentally different type of car.

What's under the hood is the start of the divergence: the HS 250h gets its own version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system, combining a 147hp, 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with a 40hp electric motor system, together making 187hp. That gives the HS the oomph to get to 60mph in just 8.4... Get behind the wheel of the 2010 Lexus HS 250h, and one of the first things you'll realize is that the seemingly inevitable comparison to the Prius isn't entirely appropriate. The Lexus is certainly destined to be more expensive and exclusive than Toyota's popular hybrid, but it's also a fundamentally different type of car. What's under the hood is the start of the divergence: the HS 250h gets its own version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive hybrid system, combining a 147hp, 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine with a 40hp electric motor system, together making 187hp. That gives the HS the oomph to get to 60mph in just 8.4 seconds, about 1.5 seconds quicker than the Prius. That leads to less efficiency, of course. EPA fuel economy ratings are 35mpg city, 34mpg highway - not nearly as green as those for the Prius, but off the charts for an entry-level non-diesel luxury sedan. As with most hybrids, however, real-world conditions proved a bit less forgiving than the optimistic EPA ratings. We saw about 30mpg keeping with fast-moving Orange County traffic, then in a separate loop, driving the HS aggressively on a short 12-mile stretch of hilly roads, mileage dropped below 22mpg. In exceptionally gentle, controlled conditions on level roads, the HS eked out 46mpg - about the same you'd expect from the Prius in normal, with-traffic driving. The root cause of the difference in efficiency between the Prius and HS 250h isn't just under the hood, however. At 3,682lb, the HS weighs a whopping 600lb more than the 2010 Prius and about the same as the bigger Camry Hybrid - which, by the way, can out-accelerate the HS. All that weight comes from somewhere, and a quick perusal of the spec sheet shows a fair bit of it is technology - the kind of tech that drives gadget fiends wild. In addition to LS-like high-tech features such as Intuitive Park Assist, a new heads-up display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, front and rearview monitors, and Lane-Keep Assist, the HS 250h also adds the very slick haptic joystick control for the multimedia/navigation interface we told you about in our 2010 Lexus RX first drive. Overall, we liked the 2010 Lexus HS 250h for its well-built interior and quiet ride, which it owes to details like an acoustic windshield and triple-layer door seals. Some coarse engine noise did leak through under acceleration, though - more than some buyers would expect in a Lexus.2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan Read More

In the midst of one of the toughest years the car industry has had to face and government loan programs getting underway, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show was set to be a touchy dance with public sentiment.

In the end the expectations proved true, and the restrained and carefully orchestrated displays focused on real-world practicality, or failing that, on future technology that could lead to practical applications for hybrid and electric vehicles.

So which carmakers succeeded and which failed? Which cars were winners and which losers? We have the straight truth fresh from the show floor.

Winners:
Fisker, for its Karma production sedan and ... In the midst of one of the toughest years the car industry has had to face and government loan programs getting underway, the 2009 Detroit Auto Show was set to be a touchy dance with public sentiment. In the end the expectations proved true, and the restrained and carefully orchestrated displays focused on real-world practicality, or failing that, on future technology that could lead to practical applications for hybrid and electric vehicles. So which carmakers succeeded and which failed? Which cars were winners and which losers? We have the straight truth fresh from the show floor. Winners: Fisker, for its Karma production sedan and Karma S convertible concept. Stunning design and impressive performance figures put these cars at the head of the pack of the new breed of hybrids. Marrying Ferrari-level styling with similar promise of performance (403hp from twin electric motors) is a feat not even Tesla Motors can claim to have achieved. Audi, for the production-ready but still seductively styled Sportback Concept, and the R8 V10 that proves the horsepower wars aren't yet over. Competitors had best keep an eye out, and challengers will have their work cut out for them. General Motors, for its trio of production-ready vehicles and the Converj Concept. Pairing the E-Flex powertrain with one of the most daring and yet attractive applications of the Cadillac design language, the Converj offers both hope for a truly profitable plug-in electric hybrid and a new interpretation of ecological luxury. The Equinox, LaCrosse and SRX likewise offer new hope for the success of the product-led revival at GM. Toyota, for a new Prius that moves its look somewhat upscale while managing to improve on its already impressive technical capabilities. More powerful, more fuel efficient and more attractive is a package anyone can get behind. Now if only gas prices were in the right range, Toyota would have a hard time keeping them in stock. Jaguar, for the XKR and XF-R. Keeping up with the Joneses is an especially difficult task if your Joneses are BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus. Doing it on a shoestring budget, under new ownership and during the economic shipwreck that was 2008: truly impressive. The designs of the new cars speak for themselves, and should fare Jaguar well as it works to re-imagine itself and its role in the industry. Losers: Lincoln, for the MKT. Put simply, it is both ugly and an answer to a question asked by no one. Beyond the odd proportions and lackluster details of the MKT, however, the Focus-based C Concept is similarly bewildering: where did this come from, and why? Subaru, for the Legacy Concept. Ugly in a vein that's sadly familiar thanks to the likes of the 2008 Impreza and any number of previous Subaru concepts. Unlike the WRX STI, however, it's unlikely that any degree of mechanical awesomeness will be able to bail out the gasping and flailing Legacy Concept. Chrysler, for the ENVI trio of electric vehicles that smacks of about as much reality as a unicorn tea-party. While the design of the 200C is undeniably strong and forward-looking, it's also too little, too late, and wrapped around an 'EV' platform, reduces all hope of production to the realm of fantasy. Lexus, for the HS250h. Outshone by the new Prius in terms of both performance and looks, the new HS could nonetheless prove a hit with smug and superior Hollywood types - itself a factor militating against its success in our eyes. And finally, Mercedes, for soft-launching the E-Class in Detroit, but off the show floor. If it's too cool to rub shoulders with the best America and Japan have to offer, why not wait for Geneva? And even if it were launched properly in Detroit, its reception would almost certainly have been stronger and more positive nearer to its homeland. Two strikes for strategy, and one for design, Mercedes is out for this inning. Withholding judgment: Ford, for its all-new Taurus. A strong new design - though with an odd bit here and there - bodes well for the revival of a modern American classic. On the other hand, only the market will prove if Ford got the mix right when sales figures start to trickle in. On the fence about both design and market position - especially in relation to Lincoln's similarly-sized offerings - we'll withhold judgment until we see how the car fares with the public.2009 Detroit Auto Show Winners and Losers Read More

Lexus today announced an all-new dedicated hybrid model for its lineup in the form of the HS 250h. The HS fits between the current IS and ES models and is designed to make luxury hybrids more affordable. According to the company almost 60% of entry level luxury car buyers would consider a hybrid model if it were a viable option.

The HS 250h is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine which generates 187hp (140kW) when combined with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. Although no specifics about the hybrid system, such as battery... Lexus today announced an all-new dedicated hybrid model for its lineup in the form of the HS 250h. The HS fits between the current IS and ES models and is designed to make luxury hybrids more affordable. According to the company almost 60% of entry level luxury car buyers would consider a hybrid model if it were a viable option. The HS 250h is powered by a 2.4L four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine which generates 187hp (140kW) when combined with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system. Drive is sent to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. Although no specifics about the hybrid system, such as battery capacity or total range on battery charge alone, has been released, its designers claim the HS 250h will be 30% more efficient than the most fuel efficient Lexus today. One significant advantage over diesel vehicles - which are often just as efficient - is that the HS 250h requires only 87-octane fuel, potentially making it competitive in terms of overall cost with diesel powered vehicles on the highway. Like the recently revealed 2010 RX 450h hybrid SUV, the HS 250h will include a new system designed to improve efficiency. An exhaust heat recovery system reduces engine warm-up time, thus allowing it to stop earlier, more often, and for longer periods during low load conditions, while the windshield comes with infrared-ray reduction properties that helps keep the interior more cooler and thus reduces the amount of air conditioning needed to control cabin temperature. Finally, power-saving LED headlamps also contribute to improved fuel efficiency and emissions. The five-seater sedan features a unique gull-wing-shaped roof and underbody panels that are designed to improve aerodynamics. The front spoiler, rear spoiler, rear under spoiler, and diffuser fins all reduce turbulence, while the smooth A-pillar shape and optimized angle and curvature of the bumper side panels also reduce wake turbulence. The end result is a reasonable 0.27 drag coefficient (Cd). To further help the environment, the HS 250h is constructed using both recycled and plant-based carbon-neutral bio-plastics. Overall, roughly 30% of the interior and luggage area is covered with this material. The vehicle is also fitted with an electronic steering system that helps to reduce consumption by not draining engine power like conventional hydraulic systems. The steering system is also an integral part of an available lane-departure warning system, which can add steering torque to help the vehicle stay in the center of the lane. Underneath the sheet-metal sits a MacPherson strut front suspension and double-wishbone rear set-up, as well as coil springs, anti-roll bars, shock-absorber rebound springs, and 17in alloy wheels. Larger 18in wheels are available as an option. The HS is slightly longer than the IS and is taller than both the IS and ES. It measures 184.8in in length, 70.3in across, and 59.3in in height. Its wheelbase stretches 106.3in. Inside, there are standard leather-trim seats, a moonroof, Lexus premium audio systems, and a new standard multi-media package. The media features include Bluetooth, integrated satellite radio (subscription required), voice recognition, and USB iPod connectivity controlled via steering-wheel controls or a display screen. There is also a new hard-disc navigation system, an optional heads-up display, 10 airbags, a wide-view front monitor camera system, and Lexus’ new Enform and Safety Connect telematics systems. The first cars are scheduled to hit showrooms in the U.S. in the middle of the year. No other market launches have been announced yet.Toyota Safety Connect and Lexus Enform2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan Read More