DrewSRX

I hope this isn't a repost, but Edmunds posted some information on the GS450h (01/20/05). I thought that the GS450h was going to get a hybrid V8 powertrain rather than a hybrid V6 powertrain like the what is in the RX400h, I guess I was confused? Maybe they couldn't fit the hybrid system with the V8?

I don't understand why they are calling it the GS450h rather than GS400h, GS350h, or GS300h since it is going to use a V6. If it uses the same engine as the RX400h like they are suggesting, that means about 270HP more or less, is this correct?

New Lexus GS Sedan Gets Hybrid Power
January 20, 2005

Summary: Toyota's upscale Lexus subsidiary is looking forward to a busy April, in which it will put one new gas-electric hybrid on sale and unveil another.

Full story: Toyota is planning to display its latest gas-electric hybrid, the Lexus GS 450 sedan, at the New York International Auto Show in April. The new car is based on the Lexus GS sedan, and will share hybrid parts with the forthcoming Lexus RX 400h hybrid sport-utility vehicle, which goes on sale April 15.

A Lexus spokesperson said the GS 450, like the RX 400h, will use hybrid technology to enhance performance; i.e., it will use electric motors to augment the power of the engine. Toyota has not yet announced which of its V6 power plants would go into production in the GS 450, but the spokesperson said the RX 400h's six-cylinder engine is a leading candidate.

What this means to you: Lexus is taking a financial gamble with its first hybrids, basing them on existing models and not creating stand-alone nameplates such as the successful Prius hybrid sedan from parent automaker Toyota. Will the new hybrids sell?

flipside909

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=145525

Car Freak

From things that I have read, the GS450, is supposed to be a competitor of the E55 AMG, that the hybrid engine is supposed to act as a supercharger when you WANT the power and take the part of gas engine when you are cruising at a steady speed. Or something like that.

DrewSRX

A competitor to the E55? Are they planning on getting about 200HP out of the electric motor? That seems like a lot considering the hybrid V6 in the RX400h only makes 40HP more than the regular 3.3 liter V6 in the RX330. I thought they were going to make a V8 hybrid instead of a V6 hybrid GS to compete with the E55/M5?

flipside909

Whoa whoa slow down. Lexus is planning to release a GT line of cars which is more performance oriented...targeted specifically after the M and AMG lines of BMW & MB respectively. The Hybrid is going to be a v6 for the GS450h. There is no exact word whether they will retune a V8 version of the GS or work a hybrid performance version. We have yet to find that out.

The RX400h only makes 40 more hp but will gain mounds of torque with motors powering both front and rear. The gas 3MZ-FE engine for the RX400h will power the front wheels with the electric motor assisting. The RX400h out accelerates it's gas only powered counterpart.

Car Freak

Exactly what I was talking about, the hybrid engine attached to the V8.

flipside909

No I think you were talking about the GS450 being a v8 which it will not be.

Erick G

no I think he meant the GT having a v8
GT in 08?

flipside909

Well the GT project is just an idea like the concept cars for the time being.

flipside909

I find this hard to believe because the RX400h uses the 3MZ-FE V6 which has primarily been used in FWD applications only i.e. RX330/ES330 and previous 1MZ-FE 3.0L and 2MZ-FE 2.5L V6.

The new GS is using the new GR series of V6 engines. We will definitely have to wait and see, but it's highly unlikely Toyota will use an older powerplant which was only used for FWD camry derivatives into a RWD variant.

Erick G

yay for concepts
maybe we will get tidbits of info in geneva and NY about the GT line
hopefully lexus is serious about this and not just toying around.
I mean they can afford to take a loss if it doesnt pan out

LexFather

Just a thought. Say the LF-A does become reality. Say its a V-8 (If F-1 rules change). Could LExus use this powerplant in the upcoming GT line? It would make more fiscal sense. Pure speculation.

The reason I think this, the LF-A was not a hybrid. Many thought it would have been, to showcase hybrid tech at its finest.

Looking at how long it took the RX 400h to come, Lexus might not have resources to build additional hybrids.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

like flip said, i don't think this will come close to the e55, this is just going to be a v6 + hybrid, so it's not really too exciting. if they come out with the v8 GT version, now that might be the eye catcher

biker

As Honda Accord hybrid owners have already found out, something like the 450H only makes sense to true tree huggers (and a few special cases). Unless Lexus gives it away it doesn't make sense financially (cause you won't recoupe enough in fuel savings to justify the upfront and increased other costs) and the couple of tenths straight line preformance gain is nothing to brag about either (and handling can't get any better with the extra weight).

It will sell in the DC area cause the buyers can use the HOV lane driving alone.

flipside909

Why the constant name calling and bashing? It's getting old.