Lexus revealed the 2010 HS 250h, the first luxury dedicated hybrid vehicle, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The HS 250h will be Toyota Motor’s second hybrid-only vehicle (after the Prius) and will be Lexus’ fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in its lineup. It also will be the first Lexus to utilize carbon-neutral Ecological Plastic materials in a new futuristic cockpit and interior design.
The HS 250h sedan’s expected fuel efficiency will be more than 30% better than the most fuel-efficient model currently in the Lexus lineup, while earning a SULEV emissions rating utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline. Although the EPA numbers have not been finalized, city mpg for the HS 250h should be higher than that of the smart fortwo, said Mark Templin, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager, at the reveal. (The 2009 smart fortwo coupe has an EPA city rating of 33 mpg US.)
The 250h represents Lexus’s first use of a four-cylinder gasoline engine. The 2.4-L Atkinson-cycle engine, as part of the latest Lexus Hybrid Drive System, contributes to a combined 187 hp (39 kW) for the total system.