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Lexus has gone hybrid-mad. There's really no other way to explain the apparent obsession for connecting electric motors with internal combustion engines - unless, of course, Toyota's luxury nameplate sees a golden opportunity and is, in typical fashion, running slightly ahead - make that w-a-a-y ahead - of the crowd. Don't bet against 'em. From the debut of its RX 400h hybrid SUV to the unveiling of the 2007 Lexus GS 450h at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, hybrid powertrains are becoming a central theme in the Lexus approach - for reasons of performance, fuel economy and overall efficiency. And, well, rich people just love owning the hottest thing on the block.
Right now, that's the 2007 Lexus GS 450h, with its emotive new design and kick-tail electric cattle prod acceleration.
Lexus officials claim that the GS 450h will deliver power that is similar to that of a 4.5-liter V8. As the first-ever rear-wheel drive hybrid, that promises to be quite a ride up the torque curve.
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