Toyota Starts Selling its Lexus GS 450h Hybrid Sedan

Japanese Toyota Motor Corp. starts selling its new Lexus GS 450h luxury sedan with hybrid powertrain system. Although currently the car is available for the local customers only, the Japanese company plans to begin selling the hybrid on overseas markets in April.

The gasoline-sipping vehicle is equipped with a unique hybrid powertrain designed especially for the rear-wheel-drive cars. The system consists of a 3.5-litre V6 internal combustion engine that works on petrol, and a permanent-magnet electric auxiliary motor. Combined, these two engines produce more than 300 horsepower and make the car run as with a 4.5-litre powertrain while ensuring fuel efficiency of a 2-litre engine.

Lexus claims that Lexus GS 450h will run 33 miles per gallon on average, although it's obvious that the mileage may vary. It takes the car only 5.2 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour.

The Autochannel.com says that Toyota plans to sell around 1800 GS hybrids a year in Japan and about 5700 units globally.

The hybrid system is a pretty expensive piece of gadgetry, so buyers will have to pay heavy premium to drive such an environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient car. Prices for the Lexus GS 450h start from about $57,950. For this money you get EPS with Variable Gear Ratio Steering, air conditioner, heated/ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, rear side air-bags, 18-inch alloy wheels etc.

Photos: NetCarShow.com