Think of the words "luxury" and "hybrid" and the name Lexus should come to mind. Toyota's luxury division offers gas-electric hybrid versions of the RX, GS and LS models, but while parent company Toyota has the hybrid-only Prius model, Lexus has yet to offer a dedicated hybrid of its own. According to Toyota's president Katsuaki Watanabe, by this time next year that will change.
Watanabe announced at the Detroit show that at the same show next year his company will unveil two new dedicated hybrid models. While one is known to be the replacement for the highly-successful Toyota Prius, the second will be Lexus' first hybrid-only model.
Few details on the Lexus hybrid are known at this point, but Toyota can't be happy to have been beaten to the punch by a comparatively tiny outfit when Fisker took the wraps off the Karma hybrid luxury sedan at the show this year. That car, however, is likely a long ways off from production, and it's technically a series hybrid like the Chevy Volt rather than a parallel hybrid like the Prius, so Toyota may still be able to lay claim to the world's first hybrid-only luxury car.
[Source: Automotive News – sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Tool @ Jan 16th 2008 2:19PM
Toyota (Lexus) really needs to shake up this hybrid game.
A solid performer with 60+ MPG would probably do it, and frankly there is no reason why Toyota couldn't pull it off.
I would love to buy a Prius--or even a lux version of it--but if you drive it, it already feels 4 years old and the 48 MPG that you actually get isn't really a game changer.
Frylock350 @ Jan 16th 2008 2:37PM
48 MPG is game changing if you consider that Prius is much larger than Civic/Cobalt/Corolla/Focus and more Camry/Malibu sized on the inside.
Mike @ Jan 16th 2008 3:10PM
Because nothing says 'Environmentally Friendly" quite like nice cowhide, real wood on the dash, 500lbs of chemicals riding underfoot, all thrown together by one of the largest corporations on the planet.
mdm-adph @ Jan 16th 2008 3:57PM
Frylock350, I seriously don't see how 48MPG is "game-changing," when there's quite a few cars that have gotten that for many, many years (namely TDI's).
mike @ Jan 16th 2008 4:49PM
It won't be a game changer if it's a hybrid with 300 HP. What ever happened to the Promise of "Automation", where I'd be able to order the car exactly the way I want it, without the HP Pig Engine?
Matt @ Feb 26th 2008 12:52PM
"A solid performer with 60+ MPG would probably do it, and frankly there is no reason why Toyota couldn't pull it off."
Toyota needs to work on making a SLOW car with 60+ MPG before they work on a "solidly performing" one.
DarkKnight67 @ Jan 16th 2008 2:33PM
Guess the notion that Cadillac having the first dedicated green luxury vehicle must have pissed them off.
Frylock350 @ Jan 16th 2008 2:37PM
I wonder what'll get to market first.
dcwf @ Jan 16th 2008 3:09PM
Do we know for a fact that the next dedicated hybrid Toyota will be the replacement for the current Prius? How about that concept trucklet thingy?
mdm-adph @ Jan 16th 2008 3:59PM
Damn, as if the Prius wasn't already overprice (as far as I'm concerned), now they're going to stick a Lexus sticker on it and sell it for 15k more. Great.
Mi key @ Jan 16th 2008 8:51PM
"Damn, as if the Prius wasn't already overprice. "
The Prius cost as much as most Family sedan's some small CUV's, which are about the same size as the Prius. And also a weaken Dollar seem to raise the cost on all Imports.
As to the Lexus coasting as much as 15k, well that’s just making a good profit.
Calguy @ Jan 17th 2008 3:03AM
It's pretty friggin smart. In San Francisco- I'd say the demographic of Prius owners sways WAY towards the highly affluent side of things. People moving 'down market' from MB/BMWs into hybrids.. who still want the comforts (heated seats, sunroofs, better customer service) they're used to without the compromise of seeming or being less than aware of eco issues. I hope Lexus innovates the idea (recycled seats, tree planting with purchase, light weight materials, telematics) rather than just re-branding. Should be interesting.
Daniel @ Feb 26th 2008 3:30PM
So once again the Japanese firms are going to beat the outrageously mismanaged U. S. auto companies to the punch on a major new market. 50 MPG Plus Luxury Hybrids will sell big time and for big profit. The rich folks owe will buy these are recession proof and they want to make an eco-friendly, PC, statement. So Lexus will be raking in the profit and Lincoln and Cadillac will be caught again holding their **** in their hand.