So far, we have the RX400h, GS450h, and LS600h.

Does anyone know what model they're planning as the next hybrid?

 

I'm betting it will likely be one of the truck based SUV 's ?

 

People have been talking about a hybrid IS: approachable for a bigger population to purchase (compared to the LS and GS)...

 

I would suspect the next LX. Also the Camry does have a hyrbid (though with the I-4) so the tech cannot be that far away from the ES.

This is a good question.

 

If a 450h GS does the perforamce it does, an IS 450h would clearly be faster. Not sure they can fit all the batteries in the trunk, what is the IS trunk size currently?

 

I'm hoping it'll be the next LX.

They could match the batteries to the 4.0L GR V6 and call it the LX500h, good for about 20 mpg combined.

Then the rappers and basketball players could go around saying how they got 22's AND they're saving the environment.

 

It will probably be the ES (maybe ES 400h or ES 450h). Then it will probably be the LX and GX. We'll have to wait and see. Exciting time for Lexus!

 

Almost the same as the current GS: about 13 cb. ft.

But for function, the IS would benefit from the 450h, the ES would benefit from the 400h.

 

Good Question.......and I say LX as it's due for a remodel and what a way to come back out. Like the other poster said 20MPG City would be amazing for a truck that size. Hey, a Hybrid SC wouldn't be too bad in '09.

 

I'm thinking one of the trucks since the Tundra is the next likely toyota model to get a Hybrid....if not...then maybe that rumored crossover.

I cant see the IS getting a hybrid. That will kill so much room. Not yet.

 

My vote's for the IS or ES, only because we haven't seen hybrid variants on these yet and they've been recently released. I'd vote LX but we haven't even seen any drawings or test mules for it yet.

 

& it's going to be heavy. An IS450h will weigh >4000 lbs., since we know the IS350 weighs only 80 lbs. less than the GS350 according to the Japanese specs.

 

You know, I'm curious about the battery placement in Toyota hybrids. At first, I thought that the Camry hybrid will have almost identical cargo room as the regular Camry because they're designing the vehicle from scratch and thus they have the freedom to put the battery where it has a minimal intrusion into the cargo area. As you can now see, they haven't and it lost 3-4 cu. ft.

Now I'm just pondering. If you guys noticed, on the hybrid sedans, the battery is in the trunk, above the floor and intrudes into trunk space. On the non-sedans, the battery is under the floor (or under the seat in the case of the HiHy/RX400h), out of the way and without intruding into cargo area.

So, do you think it's because of accessibility that the battery intrudes into the trunk in sedans rather than having it hidden below?

 

The only thing I am a lil confused about is Lexus direction about hybrids.
RX and LS are AWD. GS is not.
RX is a SUV, LS a luxo barge, GS sport luxo sedan.

I cannot understand fully the method to the madness.

They advertise performance more than fuel economy so you would think a IS hybrid would come but it seems they are just going to go old school and drop a large engine in it.

 

Since the current IS350 weighs only 88 lb. less than the GS350, using the current batteries on the GS450h, an IS450h would still be a hefty 4000 lb.+ unless they take out a lot of luxury features/content, which I think Lexus is hesitant of doing. Plus it will only have the equivalent of 339 hp if they detune the 3.5 V6 a little like in the GS hybrid. Even if not, it will only have about 360hp.
An IS500 OTOH will have 400+hp . . .

I don't think they can really build a real high performance hybrid until they can make smaller, lighter batteries.