Lexus GS 450H - in depth

Press Release

Page 1: Short Version (I)
Page 2: Short Version (II)
Page 3: Product Concept
Page 4: The Hybrid Drive
Page 5: Body and Chassis
Page 6: Safety
Page 7: Design
Page 8: Convenience
Page 9: Specifications

KEY POINTS

• The world's first rear-wheel drive full hybrid power sports saloon

• Lexus Hybrid System developed to combine a 3.5-litre V6 petrol with a high-output electric motor

• First production engine in the world to feature D-4S twin-injector system

• Performance matches conventional V8 petrol competitors, but with significantly lower fuel consumption (35.8mpg combined cycle) and CO₂ emissions (186g/km)

• Lowest combined nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons emissions of any internal combustion engine

• Low emissions secure class-leading benefit-in-kind rating for company car tax

• Maximum engine output 292bhp (296 DIN hp), maximum electric motor output 197bhp (200 DIN hp), combined system maximum output 341bhp (345 DIN hp)

• Engine produces 368Nm of torque and electric motor 275Nm

• Nought to 62mph acceleration in 5.9 seconds, maximum speed 155mph

• E-CVT transmission with sequential braking mode

• Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) co-ordinates braking, stability and traction control systems with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) to maintain vehicle stability up to the performance limit

• 50:50 weight distribution between front and rear axles, taking driver into account

• Advanced suspension system with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with non-linear H ? control logic

• 10 airbags standard on all models, including front knee airbags; additional rear side airbags standard on SE and SE-L models
  Adaptive Front-lighting System (AFS) standard on all models

• Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) standard on SE-L grade

• Lexus Multimedia and Navigation System (SE and SE-L models) combining Mark Levinson surround sound system for CD and audio/video DVD, new-generation satellite navigation and the Lexus Parking Assist Monitor

• Electro Multi Vision (EMV) touch screen with Bluetooth phone connectivity

• Smart keyless entry system with programmable electronic key

• Unique-in-class fully electric dual-zone air conditioning system

• GS 450h distinguished by features including 18-inch alloy wheels, boot spoiler and dedicated badging

• On sale in the from 19 May

• Three equipment grades, GS 450h, SE and SE-L

• On-the-road prices from £38,015 (GS 450h)

• Currently exempt from London Congestion Charge

LEXUS HYBRID DRIVE

Lexus Hybrid Drive is the new name adopted to identify Lexus's hybrid power technology. In essence it represents a paradox: delivering high performance with fuel efficiency and emissions levels beyond the capabilities of comparable, conventionally powered vehicles.

The GS 450h has a completely new, front engine, rear-wheel drive, series/parallel hybrid powertrain. It uses a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine with a new D-4S (Direct-injection 4-stroke Superior-version) twin injector system with Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing - intelligent), developing 292bhp (296 DIN hp) and 368 Nm of torque, mated to a compact, high-output, permanent magnet electric motor that generates 197bhp (200 DIN hp) and 275Nm of torque right from standstill.

With a combined power output of 341bhp (345 DIN hp), the GS 450h is not only the world's most powerful production hybrid car, but also the first to achieve the 100 DIN hp per litre benchmark.

In addition to the petrol engine and electric motor, the Lexus Hybrid Drive system also features a generator, a high-performance 288V nickel-metal hydride battery, a Power Split Device and a new, compact Power Control Unit that is no larger than an auxiliary 12V battery (and 63 per cent smaller than the one used in the RX 400h).

The hybrid transmission incorporates a two-stage motor speed reduction gear, a feature exclusive to the GS 450h. The mechanism is similar to a very compact automatic gearbox and generates maximum low-gear torque for significantly better acceleration, and extended high-gear performance for quiet, high-speed cruising with improved fuel efficiency.

The electric motor, generator, Power Split Device and two-stage motor reduction gear are all housed in a single, lightweight, compact longitudinal transmission casing that is just one centimetre longer than the six-speed manual transmission in the Lexus IS.

Another world-first is the GS 450h's Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission - E-CVT - with sequential shift mode. Each of the six sequential 'steps' gives sharper engine braking force, in the manner of a conventional automatic gearbox in sequential mode. This improves vehicle control and the sports driving experience.

The GS 450h can accelerate from nought to 62mph in 5.9 seconds and from 50 to 75mph in 4.7 seconds, maintaining linear acceleration all the way on to a top speed of 155mph, with none of the typical 'jumps' between gears experienced in a conventional drivetrain.

At the same time, the GS 450h is substantially more frugal than comparable V8 models, returning 35.8mpg in combined cycle driving, fuel consumption that is on a par with D-segment petrol cars. Carbon dioxide emissions are 186g/km, which matches the performance of four-cylinder economy diesels in the premium segment, and combined emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and hydrocarbons (HC) are lower than for any other vehicle powered by a combustion engine at 0.01g/km.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

The new, third generation Lexus GS uses a platform with exceptional torsional stiffness. In the GS 450h this provides an excellent base for the installation of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, with 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. It also has a better moment of inertia ompared to the GS 430 model, as the 3.5-litre V6 is 17 per cent lighter than the 4.3-litre V8. These aspects contribute to the car's more dynamic, agile handling.

Positioning the hybrid system's battery directly above the rear axle aids rear-wheel grip and traction, qualities that are further enhanced by the use of a limited-slip differential.

The Electric Power Steering (EPS) incorporates Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS), which alters the steering gear ratio according to vehicle speed. This gives minimal steering effort at low speeds, with improved feel and feedback as speed increases. The VGRS system is linked to the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Lexus's Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM) system, helping maintain stability and increasing driver enjoyment up the limit of the car's performance capabilities.

The sophisticated front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension design includes an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) system, with a choice of Sport and Comfort settings. Sport mode increases the difference between inner and outer shock absorber damping through corners to help reduce body roll. At the same time, the Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) reduces the steering gear ratio and the Electric Power Steering increases steering assist torque to compensate for the increase in steering effort. Ride also benefits from non-linear H ? control of all four shocks in response to changes in road surface quality.

SAFETY

SE-L versions of the GS 450h feature Lexus's Pre-Crash Safety (PCS) system, which primes the front seatbelts and emergency braking when an unavoidable frontal collision is detected. This works in tandem with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically matches the speed of the GS 450h to that of the vehicle ahead, maintaining a safe distance.

The GS 450h is also equipped with the latest generation of Lexus's Vehicle Integrated Dynamics Management (VDIM), which co-ordinates the ABS, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Traction Control (TRC) and Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) with the Active Variable Suspension (AVS), Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS) to improve vehicle stability and handling, up to its performance limits.

The passive safety package includes a class-leading complement of front, knee, side and curtain airbags, augmented on SE and SE-L versions by additional side airbags for the outer rear seats. Four lateral collision sensors enable impact severity to be assessed before the side airbags are triggered.

In addition, the front and outer rear seats are equipped with seatbelts with pretensioners and force limiters.

The GS was rated best in class with a Euro NCAP 5-star rating for passenger crash protection.