Electric Climate Control The Lexus GS 450h is the first car in the segment to be equipped with a climate control that relies on an electric compressor and water pump, minimising the burden on performance and fuel economy in comparison with conventional systems.
Electronic Chromatic Device (shared with GS 430/300) This technology uses the information provided by a light sensor built into the high mounted rear stop lamp to automatically adjust the intensity of the Optitron instrument dials to optimise visibility under all conditions.
Knee airbags (shared with GS 430/300) Equipped with knee airbags for both front passengers, the Lexus GS 450h can provide a more complete airbag protection than other cars in the segment.
Lexus Hybrid Drive The GS 450h is the first car in the segment to be equipped with a hybrid system.
Parking Assist Sensors - Steering Guided (shared with GS 430/300) The front parking sensors of the Lexus GS can adapt their scanning direction to the steering angle, which enables a better detection of surrounding obstacles. In addition, the system goes much beyond conventional parking sensors by providing instructions on the direction to turn the steering wheel.
Parking Assist Monitor (shared with GS 430/300) GS 450h is equipped with a rear colour camera that combines superimposed graphics to provide a precious help during reverse manoeuvres.
Pre-Crash Safety system (shared with GS 430/300) Lexus GS was the first car in the segment to be equipped with a system that can actually foresee a frontal collision and take preventive actions to minimise its consequences.
Surround sound system with DVD player The Mark Levinson system installed on the Lexus GS is the first in-car system in the segment to provide Dolby Digital 5.1 or DTS 5.1 surround sound capability, combined with the ability to play DVD movies.
Hybrid transmission with two-stage motor reduction gear By installing a two-stage motor speed reduction gear - a mechanism similar to a very compact automatic gearbox - it is possible to have a selection between two different gear ratios, maximising low-speed torque for significantly enhanced acceleration.
VDIM (shared with GS 430) GS 450h benefits from Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management (VDIM), the most sophisticated stability control system in the world. Besides communicating with the Adaptive Variable Suspension and Variable Gear Ratio Steering to achieve higher levels of safety, VDIM can predict dynamic instability and work in anticipation to prevent or minimise it.
Product Concept and Market Information
On sale throughout Europe from May 2006, the new Lexus GS 450h luxury sports sedan follows the highly acclaimed RX 400h SUV as the second production vehicle to introduce the technical sophistication and high-performance attributes of Lexus Hybrid Drive engineering to the premium automotive segment.
The GS 450h is the world's first full hybrid vehicle to combine front engine mounting with the rear wheel drive essential to sports driving dynamics. It defies the pre-established conventions of the luxury market by combining a level of performance that sits between conventional E-premium V8s and its high-performance counterparts. Its fuel efficiency compares to petrol vehicles two segments below and a driving range of over 800 km (calculation based on the combined fuel consumption figure).
