Toyota rolls out 1st hybrid sedan under Lexus brand

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060316/tc_nm/autos_toyota_lexus_dc

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp. began selling the first hybrid sedan under its high-end Lexus marque in Japan on Thursday, saying the domestic launch would be followed by a roll-out overseas starting next month.

Japan's top auto maker has been expanding its gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain through its product lineup as it drives toward its goal of selling 1 million units of the fuel-sipping vehicles annually some time around 2010.

The GS450h, powered by the world's first hybrid system specifically designed for cars with rear-wheel-drive, twins a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine with an electric motor to provide power comparable to a 4.5-liter vehicle, but with the fuel economy of a 2-liter engine, or around 14.2 km/litre (33 miles per gallon), Toyota said.

Toyota wants to sell 1,800 GS hybrids a year in Japan, and 5,700 units globally in 2006. It also plans to launch a hybrid version of the LS sedan, Lexus's flagship model, after the new gasoline version debuts this fall.

The GS450h is the second hybrid offering for the Lexus brand, after the RX400h sport utility vehicle.

. . .

but it's nice that the status mongers have a zero-emissions option.

Oh wait, I can't afford one.

Classy, CHEAP (my 1997 cost $2,995 three years back with 65,000 miles on it) AND they get 37 MPG ON THE FREEWAY. I typically got 35-40 from it at 70-75 MPH! I gave it to my kid. Fuck.