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The concept of the gasoline-electric hybrid is one of the most significant technologies in the automotive industry and likewise one of the most important to Japan’s finest prestige brand, Lexus. Using the renowned Hybrid Synergy Drive developed by parent company Toyota, Lexus has been able to target its opponents’ high-powered V8 gasoline-powered vehicles, as well as their more fuel-efficient diesel offerings with various combinations of standard gasoline engines coupled with zero-emissions electric motors, but unlike hybrids of the past and some of the present, Lexus’ models focus on increasing performance and power while decreasing any unnecessary waste.

In many ways, Lexus is a pioneer in the field of hybrid automobiles. The brand’s first hybrid was also the first vehicle in the world to mate luxury with hybrid efficiency in the popular RX crossover utility vehicle. Instead of developing two separate vehicles, the RX 400h is able to successfully target performance and economically-minded consumers. Off the bat, the RX 400h has been a success, and Lexus continues to pursue the adaptation of its hybrid technology to other vehicles in its product range. At last year’s New York International Auto Show, the brand unveiled the GS 450h, a hybrid version of its midsize GS executive sedan. Starting a New York pattern, Lexus unveiled its next hybrid and top of the line LS luxury sedan in Manhattan’s Jacob Javitz Center this week, the ultimate LS 600h L.

As with the regular LS, which debuted earlier this year at the NAIAS in Detroit, Lexus is preparing a full frontal assault on the high-end ‘limo’ segment. A member of this field since 1989, Lexus has steadily increased its market share amongst its German, British, American and Japanese rivals in the V8 powertrain field, but, for the first time ever, the LS is targeting the upper end of the segment, namely twelve-cylinder super sedans. However, Lexus’ approach to this task is completely different from anything ever done before; the top of the line LS uses the Hybrid Synergy Drive system to boost performance and total output up to a level comparable to that of a 5.0-litre V12-powered automobile.

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This entry was posted on Monday, April 17th, 2006 at 6:27 pm and is filed under Green, Hybrids, Lexus. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.