Lexus launches ‘HS250h’ in Japan.

Lexus has announced the launch of the ‘HS250h’, its first dedicated hybrid model in Japan. Based on the brand’s core principle of “pursuing the essence of luxury”, Lexus aims to develop a luxurious “harmonious sedan”, hence the ‘HS’ in the vehicle’s name. The result is a car that not only exists harmoniously with Earth and people, but also exudes the high quality for which Lexus is renowned.

Specifically, the HS250h combines outstanding driving performance with a hybrid-system-achieved 23.0km/l2 fuel efficiency, which is exceptional for a premium sedan. A concerted effort has also been made to use Ecological Plastic, a plant-based plastic that reduces environmental impact, for interior parts and components.

The HS250h features a hybrid system combining a 2.4-liter Atkinson cycle combustion engine with an electric motor and a reduction gear. Also, by delaying intake valve closure, the engine achieves a high expansion ratio at low pressure, thus raising heat efficiency.

The HS250h has been designed to be environment-friendly at every level. This awareness is at the core of its design and engineering. The vehicle comes with three driving modes. ‘Eco Mode’, which improves fuel efficiency by optimally aligning driving force with accelerator operation and putting air conditioner into low-energy-consumption mode. A ‘Power Mode’ that allows more agile driving with outstanding acceleration performance by increasing output response level to accelerator operation. And an ‘Electric Vehicle (EV) Drive Mode’ that uses electric motor only for extremely quiet cruising.

This latest hybrid offering from Lexus comes with a Harmonious Driving Navigator, which awards points for environmentally considerate driving that can then be used to make donations to a Charity. This system creates a fun way to encourage drivers to drive in an environmentally considerate way. Through linkup with advanced telematic service G-Link, navigator assesses driver’s degree of compliance with and proficiency in environmentally considerate driving. Donations from earned points go to projects registered with ‘Project Mirai Isan’ (future heritage project) of National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan, run by civic groups to preserve cultural and natural assets of local communities.

Lexus has employed its original ‘Eco-Vehicle Assessment System' (Eco-VAS) - to comprehensively assess environmental impact. Eco-VAS includes setting targets at the start of vehicle development to help reduce environmentally harmful factors by such means as the balanced reduction of CO2 emissions. A life-cycle assessment was carried out to reduce air contaminants and CO2 from the vehicle throughout its lifecycle.

The Lexus HS250h’s design is based on the L-finesse concept, and pursues the advanced image worthy of a dedicated hybrid model. The cockpit environment has been designed to lessen the need for physical movement or switching visual focus, thus allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the task of driving. Position of navigation screen, which displays maps and other data, is optimised to reduce need for shifting visual focus. The vehicle’s Head-up Display allows driver to view various information, such as speed, lane information and warnings, without need for excessive eye movement. “Remote Touch” system allows driver to operate on-screen cursor with fingertips and is optimally positioned on center cluster that has distinctive “floating” profile, symbolic of its advanced operational feel; together with steering-wheel-mounted controls, reduces need for driving-posture changes.

Special glass blocks roughly 30% of infrared rays, keeping interior temperatures from rising and thus reducing the need for air conditioning. LED headlights, taillights and stoplights conserve electric power and consequently reduce power-generation requirements on the engine.

The vehicle is fitted with a newly developed, compact electric power steering (EPS) system. Electric assist features enable fine control in line with vehicle speed, thus realizing a feeling of direct steering control from low to high speeds.

On the safety front the HS250h bundles a Pre-crash Safety System and other advanced technologies, and up to 10 airbags for outstanding safety.  If risk of collision from vehicle approaching from behind is determined by Pre-crash Safety System, hazard lights flash to warn driver; if collision is highly probable, system shifts headrests to optimum position to brace passenger for impact and lessen risk of injuries. Both front seats come standard with Active Headrest, which shifts headrests to appropriate position to lessen stress on neck and reduce risk of whiplash injury sustained during rear-end collision.

On highways and freeways, Lane-keeping Assist alerts driver of lane divergence and assists driver with corrective steering. Radar Cruise Control maintains appropriate distance from vehicle in front for set speed. Braking-signal system that flashes brake lights in event of sudden braking to warn driver of vehicle behind is standard on all vehicles.

The Lexus HS250h is expected to be a new benchmark in the world of hybrids. A path-breaking offering that would lead the way for more environmentally-conscious motoring in the future.

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