Batteries included
January 06, 2009
Take the guts of the Camry hybrid set for New Zealand introduction and add gizmos and extra glitz.
This is the speculated formula for the Lexus H250h, a sub IS-sized petrol electric sedan to be revealed in design study form at the Detroit Motor Show on January 11.
Parent Toyota is also using Detroit to show off a pure electric concept, FT-EV, thought to be a battery-powered version of the iQ city car under consideration by Toyota New Zealand.
The show will also see the introduction of the Prius III, whose evolutionary styling was leaked onto the net - and this site - two months ago. It has a bigger engine but improved economy (less than 4.0L/100km) and emissions (under 100 grams per kilometre). TNZ should introduce the car mid-year, shortly Honda brings in the next Insight (also a Detroit debutant).
The HS250h is presumed to be a 2010 car and will be the fourth hybrid in Lexus's lineup. We already have the GS450h and LS600hL sedans and will soon get a redesigned RX450h crossover, replacing the model that started Lexus' green run.
Lexus has acknowledged the H250h exists, but has clammed up on details. The best insight into he project appears to have been gained by Japan's Mag-X magazine, an enthusiast publication highly-regarded for the accuracy of such scoops.
It recently published a drawing that reveals a well-proportioned four-door car with Prius-like lines and angles but also unmistakably Lexus design cues, most notably the back-end and taillight styling. And, in the artist's rendering, it is presented with a boot rather than a hatchback rear.
Mag-X reckons the Lexus HS250h will most likely be outfitted with the 2.4-litre engine and electric motor combo found in the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and will share many of the same mechanicals as that car.
The Camry drivetrain would provide the necessary performance advantages over the new Prius, which exchanges the current 1.5-litre for the 1.8-litre four-cylinder out of the Toyota Corolla.
The roster of Lexus-specific appointments carried by the Detroit concept include a technology and entertainment module, controlled from the centre console, much like BMW's iDrive system.
The Camry hybrid goes into production in Australia next year and New Zealand expected to be the first export market for the Melbourne-built model. Almost identical to a version already sold in Japan in the United States, it carries a bank of nickel-metal hydride batteries and also uses a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Toyota Australia secured $A35 million in federal government funding to build the model.
Meanwhile, an expected $2.4 billion operating loss for Toyota and the decision by Honda to pull the pin on its own NSX has not dissuaded Lexus from forging ahead with its V10-engined LF-A supercar.
Lexus is expected to build a small batch of LF-As this year and race them before starting on production models. The car reportedly has a top speed higher than 320kmh and should cost comfortably more than $400,000.
Meanwhile, TNZ has announced further impending price rises. From February 1, prices of Toyota and Lexus models go up 3.5 percent, while Daihatsu product increases by 7.8 percent.
What this means to you: Lexus lavishes Prius people who feel they need more.
This is the speculated formula for the Lexus H250h, a sub IS-sized petrol electric sedan to be revealed in design study form at the Detroit Motor Show on January 11.
Parent Toyota is also using Detroit to show off a pure electric concept, FT-EV, thought to be a battery-powered version of the iQ city car under consideration by Toyota New Zealand.
The show will also see the introduction of the Prius III, whose evolutionary styling was leaked onto the net - and this site - two months ago. It has a bigger engine but improved economy (less than 4.0L/100km) and emissions (under 100 grams per kilometre). TNZ should introduce the car mid-year, shortly Honda brings in the next Insight (also a Detroit debutant).
The HS250h is presumed to be a 2010 car and will be the fourth hybrid in Lexus's lineup. We already have the GS450h and LS600hL sedans and will soon get a redesigned RX450h crossover, replacing the model that started Lexus' green run.
Lexus has acknowledged the H250h exists, but has clammed up on details. The best insight into he project appears to have been gained by Japan's Mag-X magazine, an enthusiast publication highly-regarded for the accuracy of such scoops.
It recently published a drawing that reveals a well-proportioned four-door car with Prius-like lines and angles but also unmistakably Lexus design cues, most notably the back-end and taillight styling. And, in the artist's rendering, it is presented with a boot rather than a hatchback rear.
Mag-X reckons the Lexus HS250h will most likely be outfitted with the 2.4-litre engine and electric motor combo found in the Toyota Camry Hybrid, and will share many of the same mechanicals as that car.
The Camry drivetrain would provide the necessary performance advantages over the new Prius, which exchanges the current 1.5-litre for the 1.8-litre four-cylinder out of the Toyota Corolla.
The roster of Lexus-specific appointments carried by the Detroit concept include a technology and entertainment module, controlled from the centre console, much like BMW's iDrive system.
The Camry hybrid goes into production in Australia next year and New Zealand expected to be the first export market for the Melbourne-built model. Almost identical to a version already sold in Japan in the United States, it carries a bank of nickel-metal hydride batteries and also uses a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Toyota Australia secured $A35 million in federal government funding to build the model.
Meanwhile, an expected $2.4 billion operating loss for Toyota and the decision by Honda to pull the pin on its own NSX has not dissuaded Lexus from forging ahead with its V10-engined LF-A supercar.
Lexus is expected to build a small batch of LF-As this year and race them before starting on production models. The car reportedly has a top speed higher than 320kmh and should cost comfortably more than $400,000.
Meanwhile, TNZ has announced further impending price rises. From February 1, prices of Toyota and Lexus models go up 3.5 percent, while Daihatsu product increases by 7.8 percent.
What this means to you: Lexus lavishes Prius people who feel they need more.
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