The Toyota Prius has become synonymous with fuel economy and green technology, and it has also helped make Toyota the leader in hybrid cars. The popularity of the Toyota Prius has also made it the best selling hybrid on the road, even despite today’s vast hybrid choices.
Seeing the opportunity to further capitalize on its hybrid vehicle dominance, Toyota is now focusing on its luxury hybrid offerings. In particular, it has just launched a new luxury hybrid, the Lexus HS 250h. As the only dedicated hybrid in the Lexus lineup, it’s a bold offering that will give consumers the convenience of high-mileage wrapped in a luxurious package.
Based on the Toyota Prius, the Lexus HS 250h adds many luxuries that one would expect on a Lexus vehicle, including leather, dual zone automatic climate control, 10-speaker audio, and Bluetooth connectivity all as standard equipment. Available options include upgraded leather, large 18 inch wheels and tires, and auto dimming mirrors, and a Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system with 15 speakers. The Lexus HS 250h also includes a slew of standard safety features to provide peace of mind.
Among the array of features available include the new Lexus Enform with Safety Connect telematics system. Similar to GM’s OnStar or Ford’s Sync, the system provide emergency telecommunications and other information and assistance. Other tech features include Intuitive Park Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, and Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning to name a few. While one Mercedes Benz Shreveport dealer explains that many of these systems are comparable to features on other premium makes, the compact luxury hybrid segment is still where Lexus stands alone – at least for now.
Power comes from the same system that propels the Toyota Camry. The Lexus HS 250h features Toyota’s hybrid synergy drive combined with a 147 horsepower 2.4-liter four cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission. Combined with the battery, the HS 250h produces a total of 187 horsepower. This system is renowned for its fuel efficiency according to Used Lexus Chantilly, but it’s also known for its long-lasting dependability.
Perhaps the most pertinent information regarding the Lexus HS 250h is of course the mileage. The HS is rated at 35 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. The HS is rated as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and offers mileage comparable to the Toyota Camry hybrid, which remains a popular model at San Diego hybrid dealers.
Volvo Dives into Plug-in Hybrid Technology
Volvo has been struggling amid slumping global sales, but that hasn’t stopped the automaker from diving into research and development. One such as product of its R&D efforts is a new plug-in hybrid that will be due by 2012. Volvo has committed itself to producing a high mileage diesel-electric plug-in hybrid, but it has yet to confirm its plans to sell the vehicle in the U.S.Lexus ES Still Critical to Luxury Brand Lineup
As one Lexus’ most popular models, there will be plenty of drivers that will be happy to see a revamped Lexus ES 350 coming to showrooms later this month. While it may not be a full redesign, the updating certainly brings needed enhancements.Could GM Utilize Toyota Hybrid Technology?
Toyota and General Motors have had a strong partnership via NUMMI. This seemingly odd relationship was responsible for the Pontiac Vibe, which was build alongside the similar Toyota Matrix in a joint manufacturing venture based in California. With the Pontiac Vibe now discontinued, the question now is what will come of the NUMMI partnership.