Finally, a Luxury-Hybrid Car: Lexus HS 250h

Lexus has officially obtained the bragging rights as being the first luxury car line to introduce a hybrid vehicle for luxury car consumers. According to Lexus Group vice president and general manager, Mark Templin, “more than 60 percent of entry luxury-car buyers would have considered buying a hybrid if one had been available.”

The technology is pretty much the same as the mechanics already found in the Toyota Prius, including a heat recovery system, and a low-drag exterior shape that improves mileage. Both features are for the purpose of saving energy.

Some new features include an electric-motor steering assist, which wanrs drivers if they are steering out of their lane. A grille-mounted camera is also installed to allow drivers to see objects or pedestrians directly in front of the vehicle.

Pricing has been kept hush-hush, though logically we can expect something between $30,000 to $50,000. Options include LED headlights, driver head-up display, as well as SafetyConnect and Lexus Enform, an Internet and concierge-style service.

• Source: NYT