Spy Shots with an ES350.

Note that one of the camo'ed cars have the Ultra-Lux ES350 wheels...

Can these be two HS250h straddling it?

 

Phil, it has been confirmed that those are the new Buicks, probably the new LaCrosse.

They probably used the ES350 as the benchmark which totally makes sense because Buick was shooting for the Lexus-type luxury according to GM. However, that doesn't make any sense at all to me...

 

Ahhh...

Well then, nevermind my posting.

 

cool to hear they are on the ball

 

2010 Buick LaCrosse, thats what those are

 

Glad that turned out not to be the HS...those mules look jellybean-like and indeed too close to ES in size.

 

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe informed us at least year's Detroit Auto Show that his company would be bringing two new hybrids to this year's show in D-town. The first is the much anticipated next-gen Prius and the second is the first dedicated hybrid model for Lexus. This week the Japanese luxury automaker made it official with a page on its consumer website heralding the debut of the Lexus HS 250h on January 11, smack dab in the middle of press days for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Not much else is known about the vehicle, other than that it will be available to buy in the Fall of 2009. We suspect the HS 250h will be a Lexus-badged version of the Prius in much the same way that the ES350 is a version of the Toyota Camry. Thus, the HS 250h will also use the same next-gen Hybrid Synergy drivetrain that will debut in the new Prius, both sporting nickel-metal hydride battery packs for the time being until development work on advanced lithium-ion packs is completed. Stay tuned for more info on these two hybrid models from Toyota and Lexus as the 2009 Detroit Auto Show draws ever closer.


http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases...T2008122324609


http://www.lexus.com/fcv/HSHybrid.html

 

Thanks G for the update. Should be interesting.

 

I hope the HS250h qualifies as an 'Access' vehicle for the carpool lanes in California.

 

Well depends on the engine that Lexus would want to use on this vehicle.

In any case, since it says "HS 250h", then it obviously means that they will ONLY USE an engine that is less 2500 cc (as they need to combine this with the electric motor). So I'm thinking that a 2000 cc engine or less could make the cut.

Personally, if I were to choose, I'd vote for Lexus to use this engine:



3ZR-FAE
Toyota's newest addition to the ZR series is the 3ZR-FAE. It is a 2.0 L (1,986cc) DOHC, 16 valve engine with Toyota's new variable lift intake technology dubbed "Valvematic".

* Specs:
* Engine type : In-Line 4-cylinder DOHC-16 valve
* Bore x Stroke : 80.5 × 97.6 mm
* Compression Ratio : 10.0:1
* 158 PS (155 hp/116 kW) at 6,200 rpm
* 144 lb·ft (195 N·m) of torque 4,400 rpm
* 33 mpg
* 14.2km/L fuel consumption (10-15 Japanese test cycle)
* 164 g/km of CO² emissions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_ZR_engine

And since it there is an electric motor, performance will obviously improve and emissions will also be substantially reduced (esp. C02 emissions). That said, even if UK VED Tax band uses the new system in the next few years.....

Current engine would put it around Band G @151-165 C02 g/km (£155 tax/year) but with the hybrid system, I'm estimating that it can qualify for Band D @121-130 C02 g/km (£90 tax/year) or better yet Band C @111-120 C02 g/km (£30 tax/year)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_excise_duty
http://www.bytestart.co.uk/content/t...009-2011.shtml

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_excise_duty

 

Maybe I missed it some where along the way but ... What does "HS" stand for? I'm assuming Hybrid Sedan, but you never know.

 

That is one too many H's in one name.

 

I'm guessing it's the entry level Lexus? since the size is quite small in those spy shots

 

this thing needs to get 50 mpg if it wants to compete in europe. The BMW 316 diesel gets 50 mpg

 

What does the 316 cost in Europe? What does diesel cost in Europe right now?
What does the IS220d get in terms of fuel efficiency? I would think that's more of a competitor than the HS250h.