Lexus has recently launched the new HS250h hybrid car's in Japan with a monthly sales target of 500 units per month.
The Atkinson cycle 2.4 liter engine mated to an electric motor managed to achieve 23 km per liter based on the Japanese
10-15 life cycle, and on the new JC08 test cycle, it managed 19.8km per liter.
The central LCD screen system which was a main feature and attraction of the 2nd gen Prius cabin that went missing in
the 3rd gen is now back in the HS250h and renamed the Harmonious Driving Navigator. It monitors and provides information
on the car’s hybrid system, fuel consumption, and brake energy regeneration as well as awards “points” for environmentally
(and wallet) considerate driving. These points can be used by a Lexus owner to make donations to charities registered with
Project Mirai Isan, which is managed by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.
The 2AZ-FXE 2.4 liter engine makes 150 PS and 187Nm of torque, supplemented by a 143 PS electric motor
with 270Nm of torque, backed by a NiMH battery. An e-CVT combines the two power sources up to a maximum
of 190 PS at any one time.
Nothing really that interesting about the engine as its the same one found in the Camry Hybrid but as if to make up
for it, there are a few interesting techy bits about the HS250h. The Lexus HS250h also has LED headlamps as well as
tail lamps. It has a heads-up display system which can display various info such as speed, lane information and warnings.
A Pre-crash Safety System using millimeter-wave radar detects whether driver’s eyes are properly open and also
determining direction of driver’s face. If risk of accident is determined, system warns driver with buzzer and automatic
braking. If there is a risk of a crash, the hazard lights flash, and if the risk is even higher, headrests are shifted to the
appropriate positions to reduce strain on the neck and chances of whiplash injury.
There is also a telemetry system that reminds me of BMW Assist or BMW ConnectedDrive. The Lexus take on such
services is called G-Link (called Lexus Enform with Safety Connect in the US). You will have access to a concierge that
help you out in various ways. If you meet an accident, G-Link communicates with the remote Lexus center to contact the
police and fire department. The call center will then call you to check if you are safe. If there is no answer, an ambulance
will be called. The call centre operator can also help you with finding a location and can send GPS coordinates to your
on-board GPS unit automatically. If there is an intrusion while the car is parked, the owner can be notified via phone and email.
G-Link also monitors various car components such as the brakes and engine and can assist with booking a service
appointment with your Lexus service center. Of course all of this costs money and G-Link is only free for the first 3
years if you buy the car new.
Look after the jump for a photo gallery with some new photos of the HS250h, some videos, as well as the previously
published photo gallery of the HS250h dedicated hybrid.
