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Monday, May 23, 2011
When it comes to hybrid vehicles, there are luxury cars and SUVs that are eco-friendly in name only. And then there are some that truly deliver admirable fuel economy numbers. The 2011 Lexus HS 250h falls into the latter group even as it delivers all of the luxury trappings you'd expect from a Lexus -- a unique combination when you think about it.
Despite first impressions, the HS 250h is not a rebadged Toyota Prius. Instead, it features a unique chassis that is bigger than a Corolla's but smaller than a Camry's. The Lexus does, however, borrow its powertrain from the Camry Hybrid, which gives the HS significantly better performance than a Prius. As far as fuel-conscious hybrids go, the Lexus HS 250h is quick, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in only 8.7 seconds. Fuel economy suffers as a result, with an EPA-estimated 35 mpg that falls well short of the 50 mpg delivered by the Prius.
Inside the cabin, the 2011 HS 250h is loaded with plenty of luxury features, surrounding passengers with the fine leather surfaces and wood trim that you'd expect in any Lexus. Buyers should know, though, that tacking on options will make the final price climb fairly quickly.
Eco-friendly entry-level luxury sedans haven't hit showrooms in large numbers quite yet, leaving the 2011 Lexus HS 250h little in the way of competition. The forthcoming Lexus CT 200h will be a hybrid of a luxury car and a hatchback. as it will be a hybrid in powertrain performance. Since it shares its drivetrain with the Prius, it is slower but more economical than the HS 250h. The less expensive Lincoln MKZ Hybrid is a compelling alternative with better fuel economy, a roomier interior and higher levels of standard equipment. A lack of brand cachet and a less
The HS 250h interior was designed to communicate the high level of innovation inherent in the car with the craftsmanship expected from Lexus products. The center stack sweeps rearward to the Remote Touch which naturally meets the driver’s hand atop a “floating” form over the center console. Switches and displays are neatly arranged for ease of operation and free of visual complexity, courtesy of Remote Touch.
Standard leather-trimmed and special soft touch stitched details on the center stack and instrument hood provide an extra premium touch in the cabin. Interior trim colors include Black leather, Light Gray leather, Parchment leather, and for the optional Touring Package, a distinctive Black/Light Gray two-tone leather trim. A high-finish dark gray trim is featured on the standard model while the Premium model has brown walnut wood trim.
Front door trim that mirrors the shape of the center stack and armrest provide a comfortable symmetry. The steering wheel center pad appears to float on the wheel, surrounded by control switches that mimic the design and color of those on the center stack.
A tall profile and more forward A-pillar location allows for a higher seating position for both front and rear passengers, improved passenger vision, easier egress/ingress, and a better location for the batteries. The battery components, including the high-voltage battery pack, auxiliary battery and battery-connected devices, were carefully packaged to take advantage of this layout, resulting in a spacious cabin and surprisingly large trunk space.
Underlying the HS 250h’s forward-thinking interior design is the implementation of bioplastic material. Known more formally as ecological plastic, the bioplastic uses plant sources as raw material and is used for parts of the interior upholstery in the HS 250h.
Ecological plastics are used in a number of injection-molded, foam and board components throughout the car, including trunk compartment trim, cowl side trim, door scuff plates, seat cushions and the package tray. Overall, approximately 30 percent of the combined interior and trunk are covered in ecological plastic.
Body designers looked to the Lexus L-Finesse design language to create a new shape for their first dedicated hybrid. The silhouette displays a smoothly flowing line from front to rear; the C-pillar has a unique arrowhead shape; the grille is set low in the front with no openings to facilitate smooth airflow over the hood; there is an air inlet directly below the grille to cool the hybrid system and a larger one lower in the fascia to cool the engine and radiator. The standard projector-beam headlamps provide a focused look, while innovative, efficient LED headlamps are available. LED taillamps with a clear blue-accented frame intentionally signal “hybrid.”
Striving to create a sleek and aerodynamic shape with a roomy cabin while containing the physical footprint of the car and packaging the hybrid system components, HS 250h designers had their work cut out for them. To accomplish their goals, they used a somewhat taller profile and more forward A-pillar location than used in conventional sedans.
Ambitious goals were set requiring designers to work closely with aerodynamicists from the outset to create a low-drag form in an attractive, spacious, yet compact package. Their work yielded a coefficient of drag (Cd) among the best, 0.27, which makes a considerable contribution to fuel economy, especially at highway speeds.
The low nose encourages airflow while also helping enhance vehicle dynamics. Smooth transitions along the front fender and A-pillars avoid disturbance of the airflow. Subtle front- and rear-bumper spoilers and an available rear-lip spoiler contribute to low drag and minimize lift. The body sides taper from the center pillar to the rear where they meet the slightly kicked-out tail lamps, helping reduce drag-inducing wake turbulence.
Several measures were also taken under the car to promote airflow and reduce drag. Airflow resistance in the engine compartment was improved by optimizing the duct profiles around the radiator. Careful positioning of numerous underfloor covers plus added diffuser fins on the rear covers further reduce drag while enhancing straight-line control.
The 2011 Lexus HS 250h is powered by a combination of a 2.4-liter inline-4 that works in tandem with a pair of electric motor/generators. Combined output results in 187 horsepower that is sent to the front wheels via a specialized continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). In Edmunds performance testing, an HS 250h accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, which is quick for a hybrid. Fuel economy checks in at 35 mpg city/34 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined, which is about average for a midsize hybrid sedan.
The engine runs the efficient Atkinson cycle, which Lexus' other hybrids do not, resulting in disproportionately higher mileage — about 30 percent better than the most efficient Lexus model on regular gasoline. An exhaust-heat recovery system gets the engine warmed up quickly so it can turn off and switch to electric-only operation earlier. The feature should also help decrease engine-on time in colder temperatures, saving fuel. Mechanical features include:
*Front-wheel drive
*2.4-liter four-cylinder teams with an electric motor for a total of 187 horsepower
The HS 250h comes standard with antilock disc brakes with brake assist, stability and traction control, side curtain airbags, front-and-rear seat-mounted side airbags and dual front knee airbags.
Included with the optional adaptive cruise control is the Lexus Pre-Collision system, which can pre-tension the front seatbelts and activate brake assist immediately when the driver presses the brake pedal if an impending collision is detected. The optional Technology package includes the Pre-Collision system as well as lane-departure warning and driver-attention monitors.
The 2011 Lexus HS 250h has not been rated using the government's new, more strenuous 2011 crash testing procedures. Its 2010 ratings (which aren't comparable to 2011 tests) resulted in a perfect five out of five stars in frontal and side impact protection for all passengers. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the HS 250h its highest rating of "Good" for frontal offset and side impact protection and a second-best "Acceptable" for roof-strength integrity.
reference:www.cars.com,www.autospectator.com,www.edmunds.com
Safety features include:
*10 airbags standard
*Standard active front-seat head restraints
*Standard antilock brakes
*Standard electronic stability system
*Optional lane departure warning system
*Optional adaptive cruise control
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