Lexus HybridsAre they cars or appliances?

RICHARD WEBB

Growing concerns over the economy and environment have motivated the world to usher in a new age of thought about how we transport ourselves. In response to these challenges, an increasing number of manufacturers have developed advanced

hybrid technology into their automobile ranges.

So far, Lexus has chosen not to offer any diesel-engined models in South Africa, focusing instead on its hybrid technology. The Lexus brand appears to be brimming with confidence

about this technology and its relevance to motoring in the future. “Hybrid technology is the future of the auto-motive sector for the next 15 to 20 years,” says Brian Hastie, General Manager of Lexus SA. Four models in its South African range are now

available in hybrid versions and I was keen to get to know more about their take on hybrids and the relevance of them in South Africa.

Before we get to the cars I drove, I am reminded of the power of a good question. In 1989, the then chairman of

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Toyota, Fiji Toyoda, asked, “Can we create a luxury vehicle to challenge the world’s best?” The result of that powerful question? Lexus’s LS400.

This car was first introduced into the US market in 1989. Now, with an ever-expanding range, Lexus sells into more than 70 countries around the globe. In 1993, Lexus launched its mid-sized car, the GS300. The first RX300 crossover SUV followed in 1998. The RX400h, the first hybrid version of Lexus’s best-selling vehicle, debuted in 2004. The first GS450h rear-wheel drive hybrid debuted in 2006.

For many, a car is simply a means for transportation. For me, it’s much more a form of expression and the joy of driving. So, how significant are hybrid cars and more impor-tantly, should you consider buying one?

In late 2009, Lexus announced plans to become a hybrid-only marque in Europe because hybrid models notch up higher sales over their petrol counter-parts – a telling sign that hybrids are here to stay. But what are the cars actually like to drive?

The Lexus CT200hLexus’s newest hybrid may have a familiar, five-door body style, but it has a petrol-electric parallel hybrid powertrain. Think Toyota Prius and you

won’t be too far off. It’s the first hybrid in the ‘small premium’ class. The burning question is whether or not this will be the car that makes having a compact hybrid truly desirable?

The car does have to compete with the likes of BMW’s 1-series, the Alfa Giulietta and Audi’s A3. The car looks contemporary, but is it hand-some enough to attract new youthful customers to the brand, I wonder?

The CT200h (the initials stand for Compact Tourer) has a transverse-mounted 1.8-litre, four-cylinder, petrol engine up front that produces 73kW. Slotted next to it is a ‘hybrid transaxle’ transmission pushing power to the front wheels, which incorporates a 60kW, 207Nm, ‘AC synchro-nous’ electric motor. Lexus reckon that the hybrid system helps the CT200h sip fuel at 4.1l/100km on the combined cycle. The CT200h’s 100kW peak power is produced when the electric and piston engines work in tandem.

The most pleasing aspect of the car is the relaxing lack of noise at low speeds. Using electric power only, there’s barely a whine from the electric

motor. At 50km/h, it’s only four decibels noisier than the Rolls-Royce Ghost. A call for more power, however, has the car’s piston engine busily spinning up to produce 0 to 100km/h figures of a claimed 10.3 seconds. But drive this car keenly and the CT200h’s throttle feels either ‘on or off’, giving the sensation that you are not achieving rapid, calm forward motion. This does take some getting used to.

On the plus side, the car has class-leading refinement. The car’s engine sits on dynamic mounts to reduce cabin vibra-tion and there are even lateral body dampers fitted to range-topping models that filter out structural shocks from the body shell. In flowing corners it turns in flat and smoothly and has steering precision to match. Having said that, the ride can feel a bit fidgety on uneven roads.

The driving position is low and comfortable, with plenty of adjustment and room.

Overall, it’s quite a compel-ling car to drive, but the lack of outright performance and odd power delivery may deter the younger, performance-oriented buyer, especially if he is used to modern premium diesel technology.

Still, Chief engineer Osamu Sadakata is said to be consid-ering a 2.0-litre turbo engine for the car, so I may have to re-visit my findings if and when that happens.

The Lexus GS450hLate French philosopher of deconstruction, Jacques Derrida, proposed that art is founded on two seemingly opposing concepts: memory and anticipation. He said that art was the process where the act of seeing directly was replaced with the act of seeing

through a medium. On that premise, then, the GS450h is surely art – seemingly contra-dictory. It reduces carbon emis-sions and still manages 0 to 100km/h in 5.9 seconds. Keen to keep the GS450h fresh, Lexus has just refreshed it with some new exterior styling tweaks, primarily a new grille, new wheels and a wider range of colours to keep it on the boil until the new one arrives in 2013. The car’s sophisticated

Hybrid technology is the future of the automotive sector for the next 15 to 20 years.

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3.5-litre, V6 rear drive hybrid system stays untouched. Why? Because it’s excellent the way it is. The GS450h has single-handedly persuaded me that hybrids have a big future.

The GS450h is beauti-fully presented throughout with a quality finish that makes German rivals sit up and take notice. As ever, it’s very smooth, fast and ultra refined. Lexus claims its 250kW maximum output is a V8 level of performance. This is a luxury car that glides off the line and then whacks in serious mid-range and top end thrust if you keep the right pedal down. The 3.5-litre V6, electric motor and CVT box are like silk, and this is still one of the quietest, most cosseting cruisers around.

At low speeds, you can run on the electric motor alone and that’s a great feeling on the busy school run commute between Tokai and Cape Town, and good for the planet too. For a big car, the GS450h is very agile through twisty bits. This isn’t a sports saloon in the

mould of a BMW but is still pretty swift and agile and has a sophisticated feel, and comes accompanied by a genuine set of green credentials.

On the emissions front, 180g/km for C02 gives you extra eco-bragging rights over your glass of wine at the golf club too. If the normal BMW, Audi, Mercedes options

are not your default execu-tive choice then the Lexus GS450h is well worth a look. It’s stylish, well presented, comfortable and quick. While some may consider hybrids to be an appliance, the GS450h manages to add some much appreciated verve, combining efficiency and involvement.

In order for hybrid cars

to truly make an impact on this planet, we must all make decisions regarding our future buying needs. These buying patterns will influence car manufacturers to continue pouring more investment into better technologies and better cars, for a greener planet. Lexus are certainly playing their part in all of this.