http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/06/0316.html Tokyo, March 16, 2006 — Lexus launched in Japan today the GS450h as the first hybrid sedan in the Lexus lineup. The GS450h, powered by the world's first hybrid system designed specifically for rear-wheel-drive passenger vehicles, is available through "Lexus" dealers nationwide. The GS450h is emblematic of the GS series, aiming—in the GS fashion and in line with the Lexus concept of providing peace of mind even during high-speed driving—to offer, with its newly developed rear-wheel-drive hybrid system, advanced environment performance and a driving experience that stimulates people's sensitivities beyond mere numbers and performance.
3. Advanced Technologies * The new GS450h features a Pre-crash Safety System with a driver-monitoring function that can not only perceive other vehicles and obstacles on the road ahead, but also detects the direction of the driver's face (world's first*2), providing outstanding collision-injury reduction performance. * A NAVI/AI-AVS System*3, which optimally controls the dampening force of the shock absorbers based on road information from the navigation system and accumulated road surface grade difference information to enhance maneuverability and cruising stability, comes standard. I think we get the pre crash safety system.. but do we get the.. uh.. Navi/ai-avs system too? i'll call it AI Nav... i guess. The GS450h possesses a hybrid vehicle-exclusive engine cover and emblems on its side door moldings and rear. Hybrid badges would be pretty cool. My mom complains that her 400h isn't badged. one thing mentioned that i think we get... the lane assist... uh.. thing. to help you say in a lane just incase you start to wonder a little... i'm guessing it's part of the pre crash safety system " detects obsticles ahead"... fall into that category?
Following Japanese only page shows presentations and the detail of GS450h in PDF format. http://www.toyota.co.jp/jp/tech/new_cars/l...s_hv/index.html If you can hear/read Japanese, you'll enjoy it. Ken@Japan
Lexus Announces Certified EPA-Estimated Mileage Figures for GS 450h Luxury Performance Gas/Electric Hybrid Sedan http://pressroom.toyota.com/Releases/View?...YT2006031732174 The GS 450h has an EPA-estimated combined fuel-economy rating of 26 miles-per-gallon (mpg), with EPA-estimated fuel economy of 25 mpg city/28 mpg highway. Ken@Japan
