GS450H unveiling

[nmehes]

For immediate release
January 19, 2006

Lexus unveils the 2007 GS 450h at the Montreal International Auto Show The world’s first luxury hybrid sedan combines performance, power and style
(TORONTO, Ontario) – Lexus today gave Canadian drivers their first look at
the next generation in luxury cars, unveiling the all-new 2007 Lexus GS
450h hybrid luxury sedan at the Montreal International Auto Show.

"The GS 450h is the world’s first passenger car that combines luxury
features with hybrid power, performance and fuel efficiency," explained
Stuart Payne, Director for Lexus in Canada. "It’s also the first
full-hybrid in the world to feature a front engine and rear wheel drive. As
such, the GS 450h is a ground-breaking vehicle, representing the next
generation of luxury sedans."

Lexus has incorporated many performance, styling and safety features into
the 2007 GS 450h.

Power
The GS 450h features the Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) powertrain. It
includes a 3.5-litre V6 engine and high torque electric motor that combine
to deliver 335 horsepower at 6,200 rpm – for performance equivalent to a
4.5-litre V8. This system is engaged through the Lexus Electronic Throttle
Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i), and delivers power to the
P245/40R18 performance summer radials mounted on unique 18-inch alloys via
an Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). The
V6 gasoline engine also features Lexus’ innovative combined direct and port
fuel injection. The overall result is quick yet smooth acceleration from
0-100 km/h in less than six seconds, with compact sedan fuel economy and a
Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) emissions rating.

Performance
The GS 450h is fully equipped with systems that enable the driver to
harness and direct its hybrid power to push the vehicle to its performance
limits with confidence. The electric power steering features variable gear
ratio steering, while the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) includes
electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. Both are enhanced
through the Lexus Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system,
which automatically makes subtle adjustments to steering and acceleration
to enable the driver to push the GS 450h to its performance limits without
losing control. The GS 450h is also equipped with Vehicle Stability Control
(VSC), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Traction Control (TRAC), while
the independent, double wishbone front suspension and multi-link control
arm rear suspension both feature active height control systems and
stabilizers for the ultimate in performance and handling.


Safety
In addition to VDIM, VSC and other control systems, the GS 450h is fully
equipped with active and passive safety features, including high intensity
discharge headlamps with automatic light control system, auto levelling
headlamp system, headlamp washers, and fog lamps, dual-stage airbag
supplemental restraint systems (SRS) plus knee airbags for both driver and
front passenger, plus front and rear seat side airbags and head/side
curtain airbags. All positions have three-point lap and shoulder belts with
pre-tensioners and force limiters, and the GS 450h includes anchor points
for child restraint seats, child protector rear door locks, and a factory
installed first aid kit and tool kit.

Comfort and convenience features
The Lexus GS 450h is fully-loaded with standard features that make it a joy
to own and drive. These include, but are not limited to: a 14-speaker Mark
Levinson audio system with AM/FM/cassette and compact disc DVD autochanger
and steering wheel controls; a DVD-based navigation system with back-up
camera; Bluetooth compatibility; power telescoping steering wheel with auto
tilt and memory; power windows with auto up/down function for all
positions; power door locks with smart-key entry system and key lockout
protection; push button start; cruise control; power moonroof; power rear
sunshade; dual illuminated vanity mirrors; built-in garage door opener; and
accessory power outlets.

Style
The GS 450h wraps performance, safety and comfort in the L-Finesse style
that is unmistakably Lexus. From its sculpted form, clean exterior lines,
aluminum alloy wheels and power moonroof, to its wood and leather interior
trim, welcoming interior lighting, and attention to detail, the GS 450h
sets new standards for style and luxury.

"The GS 450h joins our very popular RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV to bring the
benefits of hybrid power and efficiency to all Canadian luxury vehicle
buyers, whatever their needs", Payne concluded. "We’re the first luxury
automobile company to do this, and only Lexus can offer both a hybrid
luxury car and SUV for environmentally conscious consumers to choose from,
without sacrificing luxury refinements or performance."

The 2007 GS 450h will go on sale in Canada in April. Pricing details will
be released closer to the on-sale date.

[jhbhatia]

yummy!

[Tideland Prius]

Ahh, so they did stick with PSD instead of a regular power sapping auto transmission

[chindo]

What is PSD? Do you mean the CVT?

[Tideland Prius]

PSD - Power Split Device. It's what Toyota calls its planetary gear set CVT. Most, if not all CVTs are using the belt and cone setup. The PSD consists of a sun gear, planet gears and a ring gear. Pretty ingenious if you ask me. The best way is to go to your local dealer that you really like and ask your favourite salesman for the demo disc on the RX400h. Ask him to show you the RX400h's hybrid system. In one of the videos on the disc, it describes the PSD.

If not, this might help

http://homepage.mac.com/inachan/prius/planet_e.html

It's fairly compact, about the size of a pop can in terms of height, and maybe.... 6-8inches in diameter?

[TTercel]

So how much torque.....I heard electric motors make a lot of torque......

[Tideland Prius]

no idea. Toyota's HSD system usually don't give net torque specs. Yes, electric motors to give a lotta torque. 295 lb-ft from 0-1,200rpm in the Prius but ya, it's short lived of course.

335 horsepower? Weak, rather get an Infiniti M45. I had hoped for a 350 horsepower GS 450h. 335 is not worth the premium over a regular 3.5 with 306 horespower. Only 29 more horsepower? Pathetic. Fuel better be high thirties (2 bad its only in 20s) wont be much of a difference with non hybrid V6.

[Tideland Prius]

The 3.5 litre V6 won't do 0-60 under 6 seconds. The IS350 out-accelerates the GS430 V8.

[toyotaholic]

335 horsepower? Weak, rather get an Infiniti M45. I had hoped for a 350 horsepower GS 450h. 335 is not worth the premium over a regular 3.5 with 306 horespower. Only 29 more horsepower? Pathetic. Fuel better be high thirties (2 bad its only in 20s) wont be much of a difference with non hybrid V6.

if you dont own a new lexus stop hoping cuz theyre not gonna listen to you. its not a fair comparison btwn the is350 and gs..consider the weight issue

[Blacksupra93]

Originally Posted by tdt59512

335 horsepower? Weak, rather get an Infiniti M45. I had hoped for a 350 horsepower GS 450h. 335 is not worth the premium over a regular 3.5 with 306 horespower. Only 29 more horsepower? Pathetic. Fuel better be high thirties (2 bad its only in 20s) wont be much of a difference with non hybrid V6.

You cant compare peak power on a regualar engine to that of a hybrid system. Electric motors aren't designed to make a lot of top end power, they are designed to produce low end torque. The result is a seemingly weak horspower increase over the non-hybrid counter part. What you need to consider is how the powercurves of the gas and electric motor are integrated.

The prius electric motor has 295ft lbs of torque until 1,200 rpm....im willing to bet the electric motor in this has around 350, or I would hope. The end result is going to be a very flat curve that is less peaky than a gas engine alone. Area under the curve is just as important as peak power.

[Tideland Prius]

Yup. See the dyno sheet I posted for Blacksupra93 in the Prius forum to get a feel of the type of curve you'd likely see for the GS450h

[vasia]

Originally Posted by tdt59512

335 horsepower? Weak, rather get an Infiniti M45. I had hoped for a 350 horsepower GS 450h. 335 is not worth the premium over a regular 3.5 with 306 horespower. Only 29 more horsepower? Pathetic. Fuel better be high thirties (2 bad its only in 20s) wont be much of a difference with non hybrid V6.

Then you better watch it if you're planning on racing a GS450h, because you'll be seeing it's tail most of the time .

The HP doesn't seem like a huge amount, but this has a HUGE amount of torque, compared to the 3.5L V6 by itself, or even the GS430 V8.

I'll bet the M45 will be beat in just about every performance measure by the GS450h, all while doing it with exceptional fuel economy.