Lexus GS450h to be entered in 24-hour race in Japan
The Mainichi Daily News has a story in yesterday's edition that the hybrid Lexus GS450h sedan will be put through a bit of a test in Japan's only 24-hour race later this month. The race, the Tokachi 24-hour race on the northern island of Hokkaido, takes place from July 15-17 at the Tokachi International Speedway and this year marks the first time a major automaker is entering a gasoline-electric hybrid in the race. Toyota engineers will use race data to "make hybrid systems smaller, lighter and more efficient" according to the article, and are looking at the potential for using hybrid systems in motorsports. The Super Ultra Low Emission GS450h is the first mass-production rear-wheel drive luxury hybrid car.
[Source: Mainichi Daily News via Mixed Power]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
James 12:57AM (7/06/2006)
was anyone else blown away by how bad the MPG is on the GS450h? 25c 28h, that's a joke for a hybrid that cost twice as much as the Prius, even if it is luxury...
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Kevin 9:35PM (7/07/2006)
are u a moron, it has 340 HP, when the prius has 110. more than 3 times less retard. and thats still good mileage. think a little more
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Miodrag Nikolic 7:02AM (7/08/2006)
Hybrid cars wont sell. My RS400h is getting only 23MPG terible comparing it to advertisemts and govrment date of 32MPG.
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josh 3:38PM (7/09/2006)
i love driving a GS450h I sell them i get to try em all out for a few weeks at a time.yeah i guess the gas mileage could be better,but if you can afford one you can afford the gas.
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Ron 6:18AM (7/10/2006)
Hybrids will be a flash in the pan. The Japanese are normally ahead of the curve on technology. But, they have missed with this one. The premium for hybrids do not payoff except over the very long term. And that is if they get the mileage rated by the Gov. E85 hopefully will be the wave of the future. It burns clean, it is renewable, keeps the $$$ in the USA. Keeps our farmers working AND most importantly keeps our money from going to the arabs so they can bomb us. Brazil has gone from 85% oil dependant to non dependant on foriegn oil.
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Kraig 3:36PM (7/30/2006)
I purchased a GS450h the first week of June. I traded in a Mercedes Benz E500. The cars cost the same new. The GS is faster, quieter, cleaner and gets 8 miles per gallon more. Did I say faster. Really fast.
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Jenny 10:51PM (8/23/2006)
The Lexus GS450h hybrid sedan will more likely also to win the race for hybrid dominance in the market. Being the world's first luxury hybrid sports sedan and offered at $55,595, it is every bit of a temptation for me.
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