The Oxford Dictionary states that the word hybrid means: thing made by combining two different parts, or, composed of unrelated parts, or even better still, a crossbreed.

Used also to denote the result when interbreeding horses with donkeys, the process produces that most well known and hardworking of hybrids, the mule. And in the motoring industry, the word is becoming the buzzword of the 21st century, thanks mainly to skyrocketing fuel prices and the concomitant negative effects these fuels have on air pollution.

In fact it's a technology that brings to the motorised vehicle the combination of new energy supplies beyond those of the internal combustion engine and one of the main contributors of air pollution today.

In combating pollution the Lexus brand has become a force to be reckoned with and not only to achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and a cleaner atmosphere but added dynamic and spirited performance — the latter something that enthralled man ever since he first rode a horse.

Winning combination

And to assist in achieving these results a novel drive system combines with the petrol-electric hybrid layout to achieve dynamic gains. This is in contrast to the common aim of harnessing hybrid technology to lower emissions and reduce fuel consumption only. Offering two motors in one car — a sophisticated internal combustion engine and an electric motor — they combine well to achieve the required results.

The Lexus GS450h just introduced into the South African market is a fine example, with its electronically limited top end of 250km/h and acceleration from zero to 100km/h in just under six seconds, according to manufacturer claims. But there’s another gain not always recognised: the electric motor alleviates any losses associated with the high altitudes for normally aspirated internal combustion engines — altitudes at which some 70 percent of SA's population reside. Prior to the arrival of the petrol/electric hybrid, diminished outputs at altitude for normally-aspirated engines were amplified by force-fed breathing systems such as turbochargers or superchargers.

The system and layout was described in the October 2008 issue of Cars in Action under our popular Best Engines section as the Lexus GS600h with its sophisticated quad-cam V8. Instead in the GS450h version the 3.5-litre V6 quad-cam engine offers similar performance of a 4.5-litre petrol V8 by virtue of the assistance offered by electric power. But the rub however is that the system tackles fuel economy as well — this due to the petrol engine not running continuously to thereby offer similar fuel economy of top 3.0-litre turbo-diesels, with less emissions and the higher outputs.

Lexus will become the first motor company in South Africa to introduce a range of performancehybrid models with petrol electric hybrid derivatives, the GS450h and the RX400h — the latter with mild off-road characteristics. These two models will offer an alternative to the much vaunted diesel rivals in the Premium Medium Sedan and Medium SUV segments.

Sophistication and performance

Our road tests well indicate the level of sophistication and performance of the GS450h and RX400h and their unusual capabilities. In effect the two will certainly change the way people view what can be achieved by offering another practical alternative in dynamic motoring terms. What was most exhilarating in both GS and RX performancehybrids was the manner in which the power and torque combination is achieved and vividly displayed on a power gauge indicator similar to a rev-counter. What is even more surprising for the performance oriented 450h is the absence of a rev-counter.

The benefit of full-hybrid-technology becomes immediately evident when the accelerator is floored with maximum torque delivered almost instantaneously. To this end both the GS450h and RX400h make use of the Lexus Hybrid Drive that combines the V6 petrol engines with powerful electric motors via the sophisticated transmission that selects just electric power, engine power or a combination of both, depending on driving demands and conditions.

The GS450h combines the 218kW power of the 3.5-litre V6 engine with the 147kW of electric motor to allow for the impressive test results we achieved — this with around 8.0l/100km fuel consumption and 185g/km of CO2 on the combined cycle, figures that compare well with mass-market family saloons.

Instead the less powerful RX400h makes use of a 3.3-litre V6 engine but this time with two electric motors driving all four wheels part-time, resulting in a slightly higher fuel consumption and top speed of 200km/h with a zero to 100km/h acceleration at Reef altitudes of 8.3 seconds. Power output for the V6 engine is 155kW while the electric motors develop 123kW each.

As with the existing GS300 and RX350 models both PerformanceHybrid derivatives will be comprehensively equipped as standard but due to the advanced engine technologies, the vehicles will be price positioned above their respective petrol models.

Revitalisation strategy

The luxury Japanese brand initiated a revitalisation strategy in June 2006 and has subsequently reported monthly sales better than the average annual sales for the brand in the previous 11 years. Since then Lexus has launched all-new versions of the IS, GS and LS, substantially revised the RX and introduced the SC on special customer order in response to demand. Lexus has also invested significantly in dealership infrastructure, nearly half the 13 dealers already operating from dedicated premises that arguably set the standard in the premium market.

The next step in the process was the expansion of the existing model with the addition of GS450h and RX400h, becoming the first manufacturer in South Africa to do so.

Sadly not available in South Africa as yet is the flagship LS 600h, the world's first production limousine to feature a full-hybrid V8 power train. Power output for the 5.0-litre V8 motor is 290kW while the electric motor develops 165kW. With performance on par with modern V12s its fuel efficiency is the envy of other manufacturers with almost 70 percent less unwanted emissions than the 'cleanest' of its competitors.

In 2006 Lexus undertook to build the same reputation it had gained in North America in global terms. This success is well displayed by the fact that Lexus garnered the JD Power award for product quality or customer satisfaction every year for the past 12 years, a fact that will no doubt assist the marque’s reputation in South Africa. In fact the dye was set when the Lexus IS250 and LS460 were nominated as finalists for the South African Car of the Year title in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Pricing:
Lexus RX400h: R644 900
Lexus GS450h: R586 100
Lexus GS450h SE: R635 000