umpalumpa

Anyone know if they are going to make a hybrid of this car is a year or two - kinda like they surprised (not really) everyone with the GS hybrid a short time after they released the 3rd gen. I could totally see them doing that with this car as they seem to be pretty gung ho on the hybrid technology - and it is pretty cool if i do say so myself! Anyway, i know some people like to do the copywrite - name tradmark searching and maybe something has turned up...???

On a side note....DECEMBER TO REMEMBER 2005 = new IS350 for me!!!

encore888

Considering the rumors of how Lexus wants to eventually make each model in its lineup available with a hybrid option, I think the IS has a strong chance of being offered as a hybrid.

The IS 250h would be sweet!!!!

flipside909

Too early to tell. But anything is possible.

TheRupp

I can't really picture an LS450h Although it would be unique and it would expand buyer options (especially since Jaguar's current pitch is their fuel efficiency, which i still dont' see, but ok), i have yet to see any luxury brand make their flagship in a hybrid form, or even the idea of it.

bluestar

There is supposed to be an LS500 GT which is a hybrid with AWD with a total output around 600HP (400 gas + 200 battery). This will be the top-end (premium) model on the LS.

For the IS, one could expect a IS450h at the top premium using the same 3.5L engine in the IS350. Output should be at par with the GS450h, but priced in the $50K range. Just a guess on my part.

Does anyone know if Lexus has a hybrid plan for the 2.5L motor ? Cos only the 3.3 and 3.5L have made it to production coupled to an electric battery. The 500GT setup on the premium LS will come from the 4.6L V8 in the base LS460.

TheRupp

To be honest with you, I don't really think the 2.5 is going to need a hybrid. I'm guessing the gas mileage on it will be way up there, as I'm already guessing that the 3.5 will be somewhere around 23 city/32 highway with the automatic (based on the fact that it's lighter and has more gears than, but shares the engine with the Avalon). If that's the case, then the smaller engine would probably get better gas mileage than that, unless it's like the Chevy Trailblazer and the V8 gets better gas mileage since the car was too heavy for the V6 to move efficiently.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think it makes sense if they have a hybrid version for the IS as well

Rockville

though I'm still not sure if it will use the 350 or the 250 gas engine. It's definite.

Rock

xravexboix

As seen w/ the GS

GS 300 and 450H (3.5L IS version another tweeked Avalon version... who knows)

The IS hybrid (if even made into reality) will feature the 3.0 L engine found in the GS 300 (3GR-FSE) coupled with the hybrid system. So probably an IS 430H will be the model name... but Lexus hasn't made a move to copyright those names yet... so don't count on it for a while =P

LexFather

I agree, Toyota has stated every product will offer some hybrid form by 2010.
2. The next S-class will offer a hybrid, so its very feasible to see a LS 460 hybrid.
3. As for the "GT" performance line, Lexus is testing to see how well hybrid sales do and customer perception, as well as working on higher voltage batteries, for its high performance cars.

LexFather

4. I am 100% positive it will be a IS 3.5 hybrid like the GSD 3.5 hybrid, as the Lexus hybrids are their top of the line cars.

TheRupp

Does that include Scion, or is that Lexus only?

TED_FR

I don't know precisely for Scion, but it sure is not limited to Lexus cars. Toyota have already more hybrid vehicles than Lexus have:
Harrier (Lexus RX), Kluger (known as Toyota highlander), Estima (known as Toyota Previa), alphard (Van), Prius...and more are coming.

spwolf

Maybe. On one hand, you are correct - but 45k ISh? M3 competitor maybe?
On the other hand, 40mpg and IS350 performance in 250 hybrid version?

Lots of possibilities!

encore888

I would like to see huge mileage numbers for a future IS hybrid.