2007 Lexus GS450h: the world’s first luxury hybrid sedan

Lexus has earned a reputation for building some of the finest automobiles on the market

By: Mike Blake

"image"
The 2007 Lexus GS450h is the world’s first luxury hybrid sedan that combines luxury, fuel economy and environmental friendliness.


   It was sleek, black, strong, luxurious and smooth. And it also was green — green-friendly, that is. The "it" refers to the vehicle I tested for seven days in central Pennsylvania, across the countryside, along interstate highways, down community streets and on several test tracks. My weeklong examination took place inside a 2007 Lexus GS450h, a sport sedan that is billed as the world’s first luxury hybrid sedan. Toyota has been doing hybrids for years, and its Lexus wing has joined suit.
   Twenty-three years ago, Toyota Chairman Eiji Toyoda launched Lexus with a working name of F-1, with the "F" standing for "Flagship." The original F-1 was completed in 1985 and was tested for 10 months in 1986, tinkered with, redesigned, was given a new name LS400 and in September 1989, the first Lexus luxury cars the LS400 and ES 250 were sold in the United States.
   In the 18 years that have followed, Lexus has earned a reputation for building some of the finest automobiles on the market, and the line has grown to include performance cars, SUVs, and now, a hybrid sedan.
   The rear-wheel-drive GS450h joins the Lexus RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV in making a green-friendly statement by the Lexus group.
   Power comes from the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain, which is a marriage of a 3.5-liter 4-cam V-6 engine with dual variable valve timing, and twin electric motors. The aluminum-block V-6 produces 292 horsepower and 267 pounds-feet of torque and the electric motors add a bit more thrust. The engine-starting battery silently offers about 180 horsepower and the engine-speed generator that drives the rear wheels creates 197 horsepower. The combination produces a net horsepower total of about 339 horses (you can’t add all the numbers together to find total horsepower as they don’t always work in concert), which is enough to propel this 4,134-pound beauty from zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. I was also able to complete a quarter-mile run in 14.1. I achieved smooth acceleration at all speeds with better-than-average response and only minor jerking when applying the brakes and moving from fuel to electric.
   From its dead-silent start, the motor cruises at idle speed and during coasting, and the engine takes over when serious motoring takes place. The system is EPA rated at 25 mpg in city driving and 28 mpg on the highway. During a warm, sunroof-open, sunny spring test through the valleys, landscapes, townships and boroughs of central Pennsylvania, I averaged 26.1 mpg. The fuel-efficiency totals included short in-town trips, long interstate treks and even some time on the Carlisle Fairgrounds autocross track and a few test-track speed runs.
   I did encounter one delayed battery start and that may have happened when the silent start was mistaken for a nonstart by the operator. But after talking with Toyota representatives, I was told that the battery is guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles, and in all the vehicles that have been equipped with the system, Toyota and Lexus have never had to replace one.
   The most noticeable thing about the engine-motor set-up is that it is not noticeable. The vehicle moves seamlessly between motor and engine. And how green-friendly is it? In addition to fine fuel economy for a substantial luxury car, the set-up also has been given a super-ultra-low emission rating.
   Inside the cabin, where a quiet ride is the order of the day, luxury features include perforated leather trim, heated and ventilated adjustable multi-power front seats, push button start/stop, genuine cherry wood trim, dual power heated inside and outside mirrors, dual-zone climate controls, recirculation with smog sensor and air filter, Lexus 10-speaker premium sound system with AM/FM/Cassette, six-disc in-dash CD changer, 7-inch multi-information touch screen, Bluetooth technology, power tilt/telescopic wheel, rearview camera, power door locks and trunk open/closer.
   Lexus pays attention to safety and the GS450h with such safety features as dual front air bags, front-seat side-impact air bags, front and rear side-curtain air bags, driver and front passenger knee air bags, supplemental restraint system, energy-managing crumple zones and dual side door beams. You also get vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and traction control, rain-sensing wipers, auto-leveling fog lamps, adaptive front lighting system and tire pressure monitor.
   Looking like a traditional luxury car in black, the GS450h is also a driver’s car. Electronic power steering, adaptive variable suspension, electronically controlled brakes and regenerative braking function help provide confident cornering, turns and actions with little yaw, and excellent stickiness on 18-inch five-spoke wheels covered with 245/40R/18 Z-rated Bridgestone Turanza run-flat all-season tires.
   My test vehicle had a base price of $54,900, and a few add-ons increased the sticker as tested to $59,955. Those options included run-flat all-season tires ($480), Mark Levinson audio ($1,780), touch-screen Gen 5 Navigation system with voice activation and Bluetooth ($1,900), and a small rear-lip spoiler ($200). Add the delivery, processing and handling fee of $695.
   Lexus is now a badge that continues to offer luxury, and has added economy and environmental friendliness. That’s an exciting combination and we’ll be watching to see where this approach leads.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby. Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He’s been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years.