AutoExpress: Lexus plans small hybrid for new GS - Return of the GS300...h?
11-18-11, 07:50 PM
#1
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AutoExpress: Lexus plans small hybrid for new GS - Return of the GS300...h?
Originally Posted by AutoExpress
Lexus plans small hybrid for new GS
Luxury car maker Lexus is developing a small hybrid engine to allow new GS to rival efficient diesels from Audi and BMW
By Sam Hardy18th November 2011
Lexus is developing a small hybrid engine to allow its new GS luxury car to compete with its economical European rivals.
Speaking to Auto Express Koji Sato, deputy chief engineer, product planning said: "We are working on a number of solutions to offer low CO2 emissions and these include a small hybrid."
The new GS launches in the UK in the summer but the only models will be a range topping GS450h with a 338bhp 3.5-litre V6 hybrid and an entry-level GS250 with a 206bhp 2.5-litre V6.
A small economical and low emission hybrid would allow the new GS to compete against big-selling models like the BMW 520d and the Audi A6 2.0 TDI, as Lexus has no plans for a diesel version. "Lexus has a strong association with hybrid and we want to continue to develop this," Sato added.
Although there are no details on the new powerplant, it is likely to sit at the entry point to the range and is likely to be a four-cylinder petrol engine allied to an electric motor. Combined power output should be around 180bhp.
Sato said the engine would have to boast fuel economy and CO2 emissions on a par with the BMW 520d, so expect the model to emit around 120g/km of CO2 and return around 50mpg.
With considerable gains in fuel economy and significant savings in tax thanks to low emissions, the new model could open the door to huge sales in the UK and Europe, allowing the firm to attract more company car drivers.
A decision is 'imminent' said Sato on the exact specification of the new hybrid engine, with an announcement expected ahead of the GS' launch in the UK next summer.
In related news, Sato also said there was a strong desire within Lexus to produce a high performance BMW M5-rivalling GS F model, following in the footsteps of the IS F. "The GS has an all-new chassis with wider tracks, double wishbones at the front and a mulit-link rear set-up. It would make a very good base for a performance car," he added, although admitted that there are no official plans for one just yet.
Luxury car maker Lexus is developing a small hybrid engine to allow new GS to rival efficient diesels from Audi and BMW
By Sam Hardy18th November 2011
Lexus is developing a small hybrid engine to allow its new GS luxury car to compete with its economical European rivals.
Speaking to Auto Express Koji Sato, deputy chief engineer, product planning said: "We are working on a number of solutions to offer low CO2 emissions and these include a small hybrid."
The new GS launches in the UK in the summer but the only models will be a range topping GS450h with a 338bhp 3.5-litre V6 hybrid and an entry-level GS250 with a 206bhp 2.5-litre V6.
A small economical and low emission hybrid would allow the new GS to compete against big-selling models like the BMW 520d and the Audi A6 2.0 TDI, as Lexus has no plans for a diesel version. "Lexus has a strong association with hybrid and we want to continue to develop this," Sato added.
Although there are no details on the new powerplant, it is likely to sit at the entry point to the range and is likely to be a four-cylinder petrol engine allied to an electric motor. Combined power output should be around 180bhp.
Sato said the engine would have to boast fuel economy and CO2 emissions on a par with the BMW 520d, so expect the model to emit around 120g/km of CO2 and return around 50mpg.
With considerable gains in fuel economy and significant savings in tax thanks to low emissions, the new model could open the door to huge sales in the UK and Europe, allowing the firm to attract more company car drivers.
A decision is 'imminent' said Sato on the exact specification of the new hybrid engine, with an announcement expected ahead of the GS' launch in the UK next summer.
In related news, Sato also said there was a strong desire within Lexus to produce a high performance BMW M5-rivalling GS F model, following in the footsteps of the IS F. "The GS has an all-new chassis with wider tracks, double wishbones at the front and a mulit-link rear set-up. It would make a very good base for a performance car," he added, although admitted that there are no official plans for one just yet.
Source: AutoExpress
11-18-11, 07:54 PM
#2
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So does this ultimately mean the return of the GS 300 aka GS 300h?
So far the the only thing that would make sense would be hybridizing the 4GR-FSE 2.5L V6 and make it an atkinson cycle 4GR-FXE 2.5L V6 w/Lexus Synergy Drive and a CVT from the 450h.
So far the the only thing that would make sense would be hybridizing the 4GR-FSE 2.5L V6 and make it an atkinson cycle 4GR-FXE 2.5L V6 w/Lexus Synergy Drive and a CVT from the 450h.
11-18-11, 10:02 PM
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Seems like an awfully big gap from 206 to 306 horsepower. I would wish the hybrid to be at around 240 horsepower or something though I have no idea what the european offerings are
11-18-11, 10:14 PM
#4
i am all for having 2 hybrid, one about gas mileage and one about performance. if they want to make a gs300h, i think that's a great idea and i probably like it more than gs250.
but then on the other hand, imho, that makes the gs450h even more horrible (i try to avoid using the word pathetic) by not making it more powerful
but then on the other hand, imho, that makes the gs450h even more horrible (i try to avoid using the word pathetic) by not making it more powerful
11-19-11, 02:19 AM
#5
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GS350h with the 2.5 v6 and hybride drivetrain should fit the gap nicely between the GS250 and GS450h, but for the USA market there already is the GS350, so they might call it a GS300h with an average of 250-260hp but with a better MPG compared to the GS250.
SO this wille make the new GS range:
GS250 204hp
GS300h 250-260hp
GS350 306hp
GS450h 343hp
GSF 500+hp?
A GS200h-240h with +/-180hp could be a good lease seller over here.
SO this wille make the new GS range:
GS250 204hp
GS300h 250-260hp
GS350 306hp
GS450h 343hp
GSF 500+hp?
A GS200h-240h with +/-180hp could be a good lease seller over here.
11-19-11, 10:50 AM
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11-19-11, 10:55 AM
#8
i am all for having 2 hybrid, one about gas mileage and one about performance. if they want to make a gs300h, i think that's a great idea and i probably like it more than gs250.
but then on the other hand, imho, that makes the gs450h even more horrible (i try to avoid using the word pathetic) by not making it more powerful
but then on the other hand, imho, that makes the gs450h even more horrible (i try to avoid using the word pathetic) by not making it more powerful
They lost 4hp and gained 30% mpg, but thats pathetic? lol.
at one point, you will have to understand that they cant make 3.5l hybrid with 400hp... not without forced induction which then makes no sense at all due to it being really expensive, thus making it pointless.
for them to make NA 3.5l 400hp hybrid, some breakthrough would have to be made in recapturing brake energy, and I dont see that possible right now.
11-19-11, 11:29 AM
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spy, I was going to type something along the lines that MPG must really suffer after you get to that high of hp, like 360, and then it would be pointless to have the hybrid. Then I remembered the Infiniti M hybrid. 360 horsepower, and 27/32 mpg.
Obviously, if the GS can get both mpg numbers past 30, then it is still an accomplishment with just 20 less horsepower
Obviously, if the GS can get both mpg numbers past 30, then it is still an accomplishment with just 20 less horsepower
11-19-11, 04:29 PM
#10
who says hybrid is just about gas mileage? think outside the box, it's a form of power, just like FI. who says no body wants a hybrid with worse mpg? a study?
and regarding hp, i never said 400, did i? even 380 would be nice. can't be done? that means technology needs to improve, maybe 3.7, maybe bigger electric motor. it always can, it's about compromise
and regarding hp, i never said 400, did i? even 380 would be nice. can't be done? that means technology needs to improve, maybe 3.7, maybe bigger electric motor. it always can, it's about compromise
11-19-11, 07:53 PM
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11-19-11, 08:04 PM
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Meh...if they can fit a 4-cylinder diesel from the FWD Avensis into the IS I don't see what's so hard about doing the same to the 2AR-FXE.
Last edited by ydooby; 11-19-11 at 08:13 PM.
11-20-11, 03:57 AM
#15
who says hybrid is just about gas mileage? think outside the box, it's a form of power, just like FI. who says no body wants a hybrid with worse mpg? a study?
and regarding hp, i never said 400, did i? even 380 would be nice. can't be done? that means technology needs to improve, maybe 3.7, maybe bigger electric motor. it always can, it's about compromise
and regarding hp, i never said 400, did i? even 380 would be nice. can't be done? that means technology needs to improve, maybe 3.7, maybe bigger electric motor. it always can, it's about compromise