Smaller hybrid drivetrain coming to Lexus GS

The flavors of Lexus GS on offer in Europe will differ slightly from those here: we will both get the GS 450h, but we'll only step down to the GS 350 for an entry-level model, while the Europeans will make do with a GS 250 housing a 2.5-litre V6. That smaller-capacity sedan is meant to challenge the BMW 520 and Mercedes E250 CGI, but Lexus is planning an even more frugal drivetrain for the UK to challenge even more popular competitors: diesel executive sedans.

The BMW 520d SE automatic gets 4.7 litres per 100 kilometres combined, the Audi A6 2.0T multitronic gets 5 litres per 100 kilometres According to Autocar's review the estimated fuel economy for the 2.5-litre V6 in the 2012 GS 250 is just 8.1 l/100 km. Giving up 14.1 l/100 km, even of those smaller English gallons, is a huge disadvantage.

But Lexus doesn't do diesels, so it's developing what is thought to be a four-cylinder lump hooked up to an electric motor and putting out 180 horsepower combined. That would put it right in between the BMW and Audi outputs, but Auto Express suggests a 5.6 l/100 km rating, perhaps due to an almost-certain weight penalty. The exact details on the hybrid setup should come "imminently."

News Source: Auto Express