Autoblog

Tokyo Preview: Toyota launches HS-based SAI hybrid in Japan

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus, Toyota

2010 Toyota Sai Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're starting to develop a bit of a complex. Why is Toyota holding out on us? Yesterday we showed you the handsome second-gen Toyota Mark X, the Lexus GS-based rear-wheel-drive sedan that seems a perfect fit for buyers on these shores. But no, Toyota says that model isn't coming Stateside. If it had been a one-time thing we might have forgive and forget, but no, Toyota's doing it again. The Japanese automaker just unveiled another model that is not intended for these shores - The 2010 Toyota Sai Hybrid.

The Sai is based on the Lexus HS250h hybrid, a vehicle designed for people who want a more premium hybrid experience than they would get in the Toyota Prius. The Sai would seem to fit somewhere in between. It offers the same powerplant as the HS, but not quite as many luxury features. It's basically an HS with different nose, tail and interior detailing.

The folks who do get a shot at the Sai will be rewarded with a DOHC 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing. The engine puts out 147 horsepower on its own, but 187 hp when the electric boost from the 245-volt battery pack kicks in. It's good for an 8.4-second dash from 0-60 and an impressive 23.0 km/l, which roughly equates to over 54 mpg (a huge advantage over the 35 city/34 highway mpg rating of HS250h here in the U.S., mind you) if this handy dandy converter is to be believed.. Think of it as a more powerful Prius with a more conventional body, or a poor man's HS250h. Either way, think of it from afar.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Sai Hybrid

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Tokyo Preview: Toyota launches HS-based SAI hybrid in Japan

Tokyo Preview: Toyota launches HS-based SAI hybrid in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Sai to be brand's second dedicated hybrid, goes on sale Oct. 20 in Japan

Sebastian Blanco — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST

2009 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Even though there have been plenty of reports that Toyota would apply the Prius name to other hybrids in its lineup, thereby creating a Prius sub-brand, the upcoming second dedicated hybrid from the Japanese automaker bearing the Toyota name will be simply named the Toyota Sai. The Sai goes on sale in Japan on October 20th and slots in between the Prius and the Crown hybrid.

Featuring a more powerful engine than the Prius (a 2.4-liter gasoline engine compared to the 1.8-liter in the Prius), the Sai will look similar to the Lexus HS 250h (pictured) and will be based on the same underpinnings. Lexus has been selling the HS 250h in Japan since July and in the U.S. for a few weeks.

Toyota isn't giving out any clues about the car's overseas potential, but if the car ever comes to the U.S., it'll join the Camry hybrid as a pretty solid competitor to the Ford Fusion hybrid. There's a market for some Toyota badge engineering mixed with hybrid tech here, right?

Gallery: Lexus HS 250h

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

Toyota Sai to be brand's second dedicated hybrid, goes on sale Oct. 20 in Japan originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #142

Dan Roth — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Ford, Lexus, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo, Spyker

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #142 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, this week with the (not very) dynamic duo of Chris and Dan carrying the baton while seemingly the rest of the world is on vacation. We're certainly in the lull before auto show season swings into full effect, but there are still a few things to talk about. Pricing of the VW Golf TDI starts us off before moving on to cover the reportedly tight supply of Lexus HS250h hybrids, which may affect the car's U.S. launch. More excitingly, the possibility of a Lexus hatch is pondered before moving on from Toyota's fancy division. Last week, the podcast touched on the Spyker Aileron, and this week we went after the D8 Peking-to-Paris model in all its resplendent over-the-topness. Speaking of dramatic cars, we wrap up with the news that there may be three new Porsche models in the works to diversify that maker's line and increase volume. We fish through your questions before calling it a night a bit past the hour mark.

A hearty "thank you" goes out to our listeners for all of your great reviews - your efforts got us featured on iTunes this week, and we appreciate it. You can join in the fun (if you haven't already) by leaving a review at iTunes, filling out our survey, or emailing us with questions/comments at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. See you next week!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #142

Autoblog Podcast #142 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 10:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Lexus HS 250h in short supply; U.S. launch affected?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:59:00 EST

2010 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Once again, a hybrid sales success may mean shortages for Toyota as the Japanese automaker rolls out a desirable new product here in the United States. First, the new-for-2010 Prius hatchback proved to be such a stellar sales champ that Toyota found its production hampered by a shortage of batteries. Now, Automotive News reports that the new Lexus HS 250h is in such high demand in Japan that Toyota may not be able to provide an adequate supply of the luxury hybrid model here in the States.

Toyota had initially targeted 500 sales per month of the HS 250h in its home market, but a number of government-backed sales incentives and tax breaks for hybrid vehicles has boosted demand for the new sedan so much that Toyota saw 10,000 orders in its first month on sale in Japan. The Lexus HS 250h is scheduled to hit U.S. dealerships next month with a base price of $35,075 (including shipping), barring any unforeseen supply restrictions.

Gallery: Lexus HS 250h

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req'd]

REPORT: Lexus HS 250h in short supply; U.S. launch affected? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus prices the new 2010 Lexus HS250h at $34,200*

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Luxury

2010 Lexus HS 250h - Click above for high-res image gallery

Want to get your hands on the world's first dedicated hybrid luxury vehicle? Get ready to pony up at least thirty-four grand for the new Lexus HS250h. The Toyota luxury division has finally released pricing for its latest entry-level model, with the standard model starting at $34,200* and the Premium model commanding $36,970*.

At those rates, the Lexus hybrid is positioned above more economically-priced hybrids like Toyota's own Prius and its biggest competitor, the Honda Insight. Howeve,r it comes in a good twenty-grand less than Lexus' more upscale GS 450h, while fitting into the company's growing range of entry-level sedans, the base IS250 starting at $31,305 and the ES350 carrying a starting MSRP of $34,470.

Of course Lexus has a wide array of options available to increase the HS250h's base MSRP, including sat-nav, its Wide-View Front Monitor system and Mark Levinson stereo, as well the Touring and Technology packages, all of which will drive up the price faster than a hybrid's acceleration figures. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: Lexus HS 250h

* Pricing does not include the $875 destination and delivery charge

Continue reading Lexus prices the new 2010 Lexus HS250h at $34,200*

Lexus prices the new 2010 Lexus HS250h at $34,200* originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h, world's first dedicated luxury hybrid

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:25:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Green, Lexus

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Lexus HS 250h

On the 20th anniversary of the unveiling of the original Lexus LS400 in Detroit, Toyota's premium brand debuted the world's first dedicated luxury hybrid. The HS250h shares many of its components with the third generation Prius that we will be seeing tomorrow, but unlike the hatchback, the HS is a compact four-door sedan with a healthy does of luxury.

Power is provided by Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, paired up with 187-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. The HS is slightly longer than the current IS, slightly wider than the ES and will include all the usual amenities people expect on a luxury car, along with a lane departure prevention system that uses the electric power steering to help keep the car straight and true. Other features, like a heads up display that's clearly visible in daylight and LED headlights, are optional. The HS250h goes on sale this summer, and although pricing hasn't been announced yet, the automaker hopes to sell about 30,000-35,000 units annually.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h live

Gallery: 2010 Lexus HS250h

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Detroit 2009: Lexus HS250h, world's first dedicated luxury hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 12:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus hints at HS 250h dedicated hybrid for Detroit show

John Neff — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Green, Lexus

Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe informed us at least year's Detroit Auto Show that his company would be bringing two new hybrids to this year's show in D-town. The first is the much anticipated next-gen Prius and the second is the first dedicated hybrid model for Lexus. This week the Japanese luxury automaker made it official with a page on its consumer website heralding the debut of the Lexus HS 250h on January 11, smack dab in the middle of press days for the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Not much else is known about the vehicle, other than that it will be available to buy in the Fall of 2009. We suspect the HS 250h will be a Lexus-badged version of the Prius in much the same way that the ES350 is a version of the Toyota Camry. Thus, the HS 250h will also use the same next-gen Hybrid Synergy drivetrain that will debut in the new Prius, both sporting nickel-metal hydride battery packs for the time being until development work on advanced lithium-ion packs is completed. Stay tuned for more info on these two hybrid models from Toyota and Lexus as the 2009 Detroit Auto Show draws ever closer. Thanks for the tip, DJ Pearce!

[Source: Lexus]

Lexus hints at HS 250h dedicated hybrid for Detroit show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rendered Speculation: Lexus dedicated hybrid sedan

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Lexus, Toyota, Rendered Speculation

Click above to enlarge the Lexus HS250h rendering

Lexus is set to invade the Detroit Auto Show in January with a duo of dedicated hybrid models. One of these machines will be a Lexus-ified version of Toyota's latest third-gen Prius, while the second model is still shrouded in mystery. A Japanese magazine known as Mag-X has rendered what they think the new Lexus hybrid sedan will look like, along with providing a few helpful hints on what we could expect to see underhood. The rumors suggest that the model will be badged the HS250h, which would normally indicate an engine displacing around 2.5-liters, but Lexus has a history of inflating the assumed displacement of its hybrid car's names, so we wonder if the Japanese mag got it right when they metnion a 2.4-liter engine.

Mag-X also suggests that the 2011 Camry hybrid will get a new Hybrid Synergy Drive system inherited from the new 2010 Prius. We're looking forward to a hybrid sedan face-off between the new Ford Fusion and the revised Camry. Early bets?

Gallery: Lexus HS250h and 2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid

[Source: VW Vortex]

Rendered Speculation: Lexus dedicated hybrid sedan originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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