Toyota Deploys 2010 Lexus HS 250h Hybrid Luxury Car

By: Andy Hodges
Staff Writer
Published: Jun 10, 2009

Toyota Motor Corporation Delivers 2010 Lexus HS250h Hybrid Car

Toyota Motor Corporation has unveiled the first hybrid car to feature luxury while delivering maximum fuel efficiency. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is a new generation vehicle built using ecologically advanced materials. The eco-friendly automobile is powered by a four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engine and the latest hybrid system.

Toyota has designed the Lexus hybrid with an exhaust heat recovery system which reduces parasitic losses. It also provides different driving selectable modes. Engineers designed the intake system which reduces engine pumping losses while minimizing noise.

The Toyota 2010 Lexus has a cooling system which uses a modular construction that combines an aluminum engine radiator. It is also used for the hybrid system radiator and AC condenser. The aluminium structures are used to minimize weight.

Lexus HS 250h uses a two-motor hybrid system to deliver a combined 147 horsepower. The second motor serves as both engine starter and generator to charge the hybrid batteries. The complete system uses an electronic controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that runs smooth and offers quiet operation.

The Toyota Hybrid car also incorporates a drive-mode switch that involves the driver and the vehicle to interact. The driver can select among four modes include Power, Normal, Eco and EV. Each switch position changes the rate of throttle opening for a given throttle-pedal angle.

While the Lexus Hybrid normal mode has an essentially linear throttle action to give progressive power, its Eco mode has a throttle actuation on the engine and drive motor to adjust fuel economy. The Toyota Eco mode also assists the driver in achieving improved fuel efficiency when running the A/C and for the hybrid battery coolant.

The Toyota Hybrid Power mode can be selected for a more responsive feel when desired. Under certain circumstances, a new driver-selectable EV mode can allow the vehicle to be driven short distances using only the electric motors. The overall performance is pleasing and the automobile runs very quiet under these conditions.

Toyota has paid much attention to the aerodynamics on the Lexus HS 250h. The automaker set ambitious goals requiring designers to work closely with engineers from the outset to create low-drag in an attractive, spacious, yet compact package. Their work yielded a top-in-class 0.27 coefficient of drag (Cd), which makes a considerable contribution to fuel economy, especially at highway speeds.

The HS 250 is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated 35 mpg city and 34 mpg on the highway for a combined 35 mpg. Careful drivers can use the Eco mode in conjunction with a new hybrid system monitor plus eco-driving indicator to improve on these numbers in certain conditions. The expected fuel efficiency is more than 20-percent better than the most fuel-efficient model currently in the Lexus lineup, while earning a SULEV emissions rating utilizing regular 87-octane gasoline.

In addition, Toyota offers a 48-month/50,000 mile basic limited warranty on all new Lexus automobiles. The powertrain and restraint system coverage is provided for 72 months/70,000 miles. The hybrid-related components, including the HV battery, battery-control module, hybrid control module and inverter with converter, are covered for eight years/100,000 miles.