Lexus hybrid goes west! Insureyourmotor.co.uk picks up the story...

Yesterday saw the launch of the new Lexus GS450h by Japan 's largest motoring company, Toyota . In the land of the rising sun that is. Everyone else due west, or east depending on your ordinance survey positioning/compass bearings, will have to wait until next month to catch a glimpse of their ground-breaking hybrid vehicle when they plan to start shipping it overseas. Toyota ' s initial aim is to flog some 1,800 GS hybrids per annum in Japan and 5,700 globally this year alone. And if you consider that ambitious, you'll choke on your sushi when hearing they're long term target is to shift around the 1million unit mark some time around 2010 on a worldwide scale.

 So, is it much kop then? well, in real terms its the cleaned up, re-habed version of its fast living brother, the GS luxury sport saloon, a large, beast of a car with oodles of power yet no social conscience. And definitely no friend of your wallet. Taking the mantle of being the first full hybrid vehicle with the power unit located somewhere above the front wheels, yet the propulsion once on the tarmac coming from some way further back down the chassis, to be specific, the rear wheels; you think might affect its performance when compared to its lairy sibling. No such thing. 0-60 acceleration critically under the 6 second threshold of all things money/environment aware, coming courtesy of 300bhp projecting said wheels via a 3.5litre V6 does promote a sense of rapidity. first coming to the worlds attention at last years New York International Auto Show, the Lexus is telling the gathered masses that removing the requirement for some gasoline and replacing to a certain extent with a 'leccy box to share the workload, does not necessarily have to detract from performance; and most notably doesn't have to be housed in the confines of a nondescript lump of uninspiring metal. For which the world's second largest manufacturer, has to be duly applauded.

 So, what is this other power, and how does it work? The electric half of the equation keeps both your bank manager and the environmental police at arms length by way of boasting the fuel economy of a 2 litre engine, returning in the region of 33mpg, aswell as flaunting one of the lowest emissions ratings in both hemispheres. The permanent magnet electric motor, the other component that forms part of this revolutionary drive train, bears huge capacity, so much so that maximum torque is delivered on tap with immediate effect and can be witness best during 30- 50mph passing manoeuvres. Thus resulting in the combined power output of East Droitwich . Or the equivalent of a 4.5litre V8 engine as Toyota put it. Rather more technically.

Of course, there would be a slight downside, and this time its initial outlay. So whereas your name-badged, suited and booted chum may chuckle at the running costs, as he helps you fill in the loan form, a frown may re-appear when confronted with the immediate lump sum required to purchase the Lexus. If you're waking up in Japan this morning, be prepared to stump up 6.8million yen. Which roughly translated means £33,000 to those of us burdened with poundage. Still, Toyota stress they aim to halve costs in the not too distant future.

It's a hell of a motor by all accounts, and is more than doing it's bit for the clouds above us and your pocket, therefore major insurance company's like insureyourmotor.co.uk will get you the best quote of the moment for this benchmark vehicle, so be sure to call them today.

Date - 21/09/2006