Lexus hybrid gives you wings
By: Henrie Geyser
Lexus has just launched its super slick, super quiet and super sporty RX 400 and GS 450 petrol-electric hybrids in South Africa aimed at conscientious citizens who care about the environment, enjoy spirited driving and have fat wallets.
Lexus is only the second car-maker to put hybrid power on local car showroom floors but its two clean-air vehicles are far superior to the rather sedate Toyota Prius which has been selling in limited numbers locally.
Unfortunately, like the Prius, the Lexus hybrids also come with scorching price tags: the GS 450h is priced at R586,100, the GS 450 SE at R635,000 and the RX 400 at R644,900 which is way, way above the “ordinary” petrol-driven Lexus models.
Not that the word “ordinary” is really a suitable description of any Lexus. It is the biggest selling car badge in the USA and even though it only sells in small numbers in this country it is a highly respected brand.
Lexus makes seriously upmarket cars, in many ways as good as the market-leading German trio of BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. And they do it in a much less ostentatious way.
The new hybrids are cast in Lexus' typical classy conservative style - handsome, but not so that it will lead to any eye-popping, neck-twisting injuries.
Besides it conscious-salving appeal, impressive specifications and excellent build-quality, what is really appealing about them is the way they perform.
The GS 450 is powered by a 218kW 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to a 147 electric motor which gives it a 0-100km/h sprint time of just over six seconds and a top speed limited to 250km/h.
Lexus unwrapped its hot hybrids for the local motoring media recently and I drove the car hard over a fairly long stretch which included a number of towns, long straights, heavy truck traffic at times and long, sweeping mountain passes in the Lydenburg, Nelspruit and Middelburg area and used only 9.1 litres per 100 kilometers.
If you drive it as an owner it should sip only 7.9-litres/100km on a combined cycle, which is good for a big, comfortable, spacious five-seater saloon.
And while it is frugally sipping gas it will spew out only 185g of ugly emissions per kilometre.
Like its SUV sister-model, the GS 450 is pushed along by Lexus Hybrid Drive that combines a V6 engine and a powerful electric motor though a clever and completely seamless transmission.
Electric power and petrol power are used in tandem or individually, depending on drive style. The major benefit of this is that the full force of torque is available right from kick-off.
But don't be put off by fancy technology. Although highly sophisticated and technical, it is a 100% user-friendly system that causes no driver frustration or head-scratching.
In fact, the hybrids operate exactly like any “normal” executive saloon, with a few small differences, the main one being its virtually undetectable engine sounds.
Even if you blip the throttle there is hardly a sound from under the bonnet or from the exhaust.
Release the hand brake (sorry, foot brake) and the car glides off on electric power. After a brief stint there is the tiniest of shivers and you know the petrol engine has taken over from the electric launch mode.
And what an elegant ride it is, with the six-step CVT quietly, quickly and smoothly doing what a jerky auto or manual transmission would do in most other vehicles.
There is a gentle whirring sound when you brake to a stop, but it's a “good” sound, because it means the braking force is being used to generate more power for the electric motor.
Wizardry aside, where the Lexus strides into the limelight is in the way it behaves in the ride and handling departments.
The combination of big 18-inchers wrapped generously with 245/40 tyres, suspension nicely balanced between taut and comfortable, electric steering with better feel that most others I have come across, adjustable dampers and a S for Sport driving option makes spirited driving an absolute pleasure.
Plate-sized ventilated discs assisted by ABS, with EBD and BAS, work in solid and safe harmony to slam the Lexus to a standstill from 100km/h in less than three seconds.
On the saloon hybrid's brag list you can tick a truly superior sound system, dual climate control, a collection of airbags, keyless entry, electric seats, mirrors, and windows, park assist, audio controls on the steering wheel, cruise control, fully adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, pop-up screen, tyre pressure sensors… and lots more.
The boot is OK-ish and smaller than others in this executive category. That's because the electric motor takes up extra space at the back.
Overall the GS 450 scores brilliantly in nearly every department. It's a lovely car that will suit the technically inspired, the fortunate ones who have made their happy millions and who don't need to drive a badge to impress, and the truly concerned whose care for the planet stretches much more than just hugging small fluffy animals.
The new hybrids are not the ultimate planet-saving solution and the GS 450 is unlikely to smash any sales records, especially when measured against the likes of the BMW 530 at about R120,000 cheaper or the Merc E320 CDI at R540,000.
But the concept is good and by enabling those who can afford it to drive fast and enjoy it without feeling guilty about the impact on the environment, Lexus has done a great job of pushing hybrids a step up on the podium.
Its hybrid saloon certainly is a fabulously chic chunk of high-tech metal that handles with aplomb, is furnished beautifully and sets new standards for a type of engine power that is still subjected to scorn and scepticism by many.
We might as well get used to it, boys and girls. This is the way to the future and the Lexus hybrid proves you don't need a V8 to give you wings....
As with the petrol-powered GS, the hybrid also comes in two specification levels - a standard and an SE version which, for about R25,000 more, has extras such as satnav, sunroof and an even snazzier sound system than the standard model.
Given the choice between the RX and the GS options the saloon gets my vote. The RX SUV is less dynamic, but as good, if not better, than others in its class and will no doubt appeal to those who prefer high-up driving positions.
Both the RX and the GS come with a three-year/100,000km warranty (including the traction battery) and a four-year/100,000km maintenance plan.
More by Henrie Geyser
More...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Henrie Geyser has worked as a journalist in Cape Town, London and Windhoek for the Argus Company (now Independent Newspapers) and spent 12 years at The Cape Argus in Cape Town. He then owned and ran a public relations consultancy for 13 years. He joined the online publishing industry through iafrica.com, where he worked for five years as News Editor and Editor. He now freelances for a variety of print and online publications, on the subjects of cars, food and travel, among others; and is a member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
Connected by: Uninet
muti
del.icio.us
stumbleupon
yahoo
google
facebook
newsvine
Digg
Reddit
GoGuide
