There were images of this edition which were captured by journalists and are now floated on various websites. The sketches reflect the car on tracks with it’s the cars V-10 exhaust note overlaid all the while.

The designers have well crafted its sleek body; however it appears to be a 150% scale model of a typical sports car. It appears as thought it has been designed on the lines of Nissan GT-R.

This supremely luxurious car will debut later this week but it will start production only sometime next year. The company has plans to maintain its exclusivity and hence only 500 units are expected to be manufactured. The Lexus and Toyota fans that were eagerly waiting for the revival of the Supra will be very happy with this endeavor.

The Lexus LF-A will be priced at $200,000 and will offer complete value for money.

When we compare the Toyota Sai and Lexus HS 250h the major difference that can be seen will be in the styling concept. We felt that the Sai did not have sharp features like the Lexus. The interiors also wore a different look with Sai receiving a completely elegant and stylish instrument panel and centre console.

Toyota has used a power trim similar to the Lexus edition. It is equipped with 2.4 liter four cylinders Atkinson cycle engine which would produce 187 hp when teamed with the company’s Hybrid Synergy Drive System.

Toyota plans to unveil this new venture at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. They also plan to launch a new dedicated accessories range for the car. They propose to sell up to 3000 Sai editions per month.

Stay tuned for finer details about the Sai and its new range of accessories till we get first hand information about the same.

Lexus 2010 HS 250h is priced at MSRP: $34,200 – $36,970 and shares some driveline components from Toyota Prius.  It is equipped with a 2.4 liter engine which generates 147 horsepower from the Atkinson cycle engine and 40 horsepower from the Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor i.e. a combined 187 horsepower rating.

This aerodynamics offers a fuel mileage of 35 mpg in the city levels and 34 mpg on the highway according to the EPA ratings. Like most other hybrids hilly roads damage the fuel efficiency, it was seen that the 250h offered an average fuel mileage of 22 mpg on hilly terrain which is quite acceptable.

The interiors of this hybrid edition are quite luxurious and can comfortably seat four passengers. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h is not a sports car, however it sprints from zero to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds which is neither very slow.

During the test drive our team concluded that this hybrid edition offered a much comfortable ride at freeway speeds in comparison to Toyota Prius or Camry Hybrid. It is equipped with good suspensions which make the ride very smooth and comfortable. We noticed that though the cabin did not offer much road and wind noise but the engine noise was fairly obvious inside the cabin.

2010 Lexus HS 250h body style:

The body is well crafted with impressive tail lights, and an elegant curve to the C pillar area. The blunt nose and the flared lower elements offer a boxy look to the vehicle. Overall it has an averagely pleasing look.

2010 Lexus HS 250h Interiors:

The interiors of this car are beautifully designed with leather seats. They have used good interior materials which are derived from plant sources and have kept up to the expectation of the Lexus brand. We noted that the interiors are not very spacious and does not have enough legroom and headroom to seat tall passengers.  The rear seat can also comfortably seat only two passengers unlike other hybrids which comfortably seat three passengers in the rear bench. We would have appreciated if it would have been roomier like the Mercury Milan Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid. The 250h provides sufficient storage space as the engineers have tidily placed the Hybrid system.

2010 Lexus HS 250h features:

The 250h edition features standard 18 inch alloy wheels, USB, Bluetooth and XM Satellite Radio capability. The premium models feature lane keep assist, heads up display, radar assisted cruise control, navigation and infotainment, a Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system and a new Safety Connect and Enform telematics system.

2010 Lexus HS 250h safety:

The 250h is well equipped with major safety features such as ten airbags on the front and the rear side, Electronic stability control, and ABS brake assist.

Overall the 2010 Lexus HS 250h offers a complete package of luxury, affordability and good performance which most car enthusiast would seek.

There were many rumors about its mechanical aspects, it is expected that this version would be equipped with 5.0 liter V10 engine and which would approximately produce 500 to 550 horsepower. It is expected that this sturdy model would sprint at a top speed of 218 mph.   This Lexus edition will also feature other important standard features such as six piston brake calipers with carbon ceramic discs, titanium mufflers and run flat Bridgestone tires. It would also be equipped with six speed automatic gearbox.

The most important thing about this model is that it will be produced in limited numbers (approximately 500 units) which means it would add exclusivity as an important feature. All auto fans that like to be different from the other and do not wish to buy old antiques can choose from this Lexus model. It is presumed that this model will be available worldwide and out of the total production, the company will produce only 350 left hand drive which adds to the exclusivity factor. It is expected that the Lexus LF-A would be priced at an approximate $200,000.

There are talks about the company releasing the hybrid version also, however the exact details about the batteries and their handling is not yet clear.

Earlier records mention that Lexus had described about their idea of producing such a car with would have a top speed of 200mph. If the company fulfills their word there is no doubt that the company would receive exemplary response irrespective of the global economic conditions.

BMW has unveiled its 2010 BMW X6 Active Hybrid at the Frankfurt Auto Show and is ready for retail sales also. This powerful vehicle is teamed with a twin turbo 4.4 liter V8 engine which produces 480 horsepower and 575 pound feet of torque. It is also equipped with nickel metal hydride hybrid power pack and has worked hard to gain the title of the world’s most powerful gasoline and electric hybrid passenger vehicle. With tough competition from other luxury maker of its class like Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes Benz etc BMW has worked hard to get this respected title.

This  BMW edition  sprints at a speed of 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds at an electronically limited top speed of 130mph. It is completely fuel efficient and offers approximately 20 % better mileage than the other rivals which are equipped with V8 engines. The stop and start function also assist in reducing wasted fuel at idle.

This model offers an impressive fuel mileage in spite of the heavy weight. It is been known that this model weighs 5,000 pounds and an addition of 400 pounds of hybrid power train which is equipped to this model.

The X6 Active Hybrid version uses the two mode system by tying the electrical side to the gasoline side. They can alternatively provide extra power and charge the batteries at 50 KW regeneration rate. They can also trade power between each other as and when it is required. This feature assists in maximizing fuel efficiency and driving dynamics. It is also equipped with seven speed automatic transmission to provide better performance.

The electric motor generates its power from a NiMH high performance battery which is situated under the floor of the luggage compartment. It supplies energy to the cars on board network and when the brakes are applied the kinetic energy is converted to electrical energy and saved in the high performance battery. These exemplary functions provide good mileage as well as stunning performance.

This model is well styled with a huge doomed hood to store the electronic and diagnostic equipments and can be easily recognized even from a distance due to its distinctive look.

The 2010 BW X6 Active Hybrid is displayed at the Frankfurt Auto Show and due for sale before the end of the year.

There were many rivals of the same class who have pulled out from the market due to the poor market conditions but Lexus has decided to be loyal to the GX version and have plans to redesign this edition. The new revamped version will feature all new sheet metals and will be equipped with a 4.6 liter V8 engine which would generate 310 horsepower. This engine would be similar to the one featured by 2010 Toyota Tundra.

The body design will feature a new look with a new distinctive design. The interiors are proposed to be more luxurious and the standard trim would also feature upgraded navigation system in its list of accessories.

The new GX version would be known as 2010 GX 460 and will be available by the end of the year. It is presumed that this new edition will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto show scheduled to be held in November.

The standard model which is priced at $29,500 before delivery charges is a good deal. This standard version is well equipped with excellent Audi interiors, good handling and superb performance. This edition offers more practicality than the average compact sedan.

They also offer good fuel mileage with 30 mpg city levels and 42 mpg highway. It is fun to ride this sport car that is just s efficient as the Lexus HS 250h hybrid version.

The A3 version is equipped with powerful engine which generate 140 horsepower and 236 pound feet of torque. It is expected that this edition will sprint at 130 mpg top speed.  The new version promises to offer good driving experience behind the wheels.

Though Audi has tough competition from its competitors but still the smooth power delivery, good performance, graceful acceleration leaves no scope for rejecting this A3 version. With an affordable price of less than $30,000 mark there are no cons that can be pointed.

John Watts senior manager of Acura product planning says that it is hard to hit the 2016 CAFÉ requirement and Acura is moving towards the fuel economy direction.

For many years we have seen that luxury cars have moved ahead battling it out for horsepower and engine output. The luxury cars produced 200- 300 horsepower a decade ago but in the recent times we have seen that the luxury cars now produce 500- 600 horsepower.  Lately we have seen that the consumers have tried to stress that they desire a balance between power and economy. With the economy that is trying to stabilize after a long time we have noticed that fuel prices are rising steadily. At this juncture it makes sense to stress for a balance between fuel economy and power.

Acura is trying to take a leap in this direction and is focusing on fuel economy. They have eliminated the V8 engine which was originally developed to feature in Acura RL and MDX. They have moved towards the rear wheel drive platform from the AWD.  Acura is trying to adopt hybrid technology instead of high output engines was confirmed by John Watts.

In spite of the stiff competition that they have from other renowned brands, that has not stopped the company from increasing their prices on most of its core models for 2010. The new prices that are announced show a hike of 0.7and 1.8 %. The price of the sedans, convertibles, and SUV’s will get affected. The IS 250, IS 250C, IS 350, IS 350C, SC 430, RX 350,  RX 450H and LX 570 are some of the models which will see  arise in their prices.

To pacify the consumers, Lexus has offered some upgrades on most models. Lexus Safety Connect Telematics system is now offered as a standard feature (which was earlier available as an optional feature) on most non navigation equipped models. The models which are equipped with navigation feature will now include Lexus Enform with Safety Connect as a standard feature. The consumers can also take advantage of the complimentary one year trial subscriptions of Lexus Enform and Safety Connect.

The IS F which is the high performance sedan will now be equipped with 19-inch wheels, a limited slip differential, and foldable rear headrests. The IS250, IS 350 and IS F will now be available with an updated premium audio system with an optional hard disc drive navigation system. The SC 430 also enters the 2010 model with new 18 inch wheels, updated navigation system, side mirrors with puddle lamps, updated Marc Levinson audio as well as some new colors.

The pricing list which does not comprise of processing charge, handling charges, and delivery fee of $ 875 is listed below.

IS 250 – 6MT – $31,845
IS 250 – 6ECTi – $33,015
IS 250 – 6ECTi  AWD – $35,475
IS 250C – 6MT – $38,940
IS 250C – 6ECTi – $40,110
IS 350 – 6ECTi – $37,295
IS 350C – 6ECTi – $44,390
IS F – $ 57,760
SC 430 – $67,505
RX 450h FWD – $42,110
RX 450h AWD – $43,700
RX 350 FWD – $37,250
RX 350 AWD – $38,650
LX 570 – $76,405

The 2009 Lexus LS 460 is a large luxury sedan priced at MSRP: $63,825 – $77,260.It is very conservatively styled and offers top technology without attracting undue attention. This luxury sedan offers comfort, exceptional refinement and true value for money spent. The LS 460 might be a bit composed for driving enthusiasts, but the vast majority of luxury sedan buyers will have no need for a higher level of performance. It is perfect for those who are looking at good features packed with a good ride.

LS 460 Body style

Lexus has made quite a bit of improvement over the previous versions but the exterior styling still does not appeal the eye.  The LS 460 is also available as a long-wheelbase and adds 4.8 inches to the car’s midsection, increasing rear legroom from ample to abundant. Lexus has improved on the exceptionally bland LS430 but it is still has more space for improvement.

However, the interiors of the car are very stunning. They are perfectly crafted and you would not feel that they are over done. We like the doors of the car that looked like heavy wooden architectural door. This model bathes occupants in sumptuous leather and rich wood trim, all fitted together with craftsman-like artistry. The inner ambience is worth lauding with wooden veneers and wrinkle-free leather on the steering wheel.

2009 Lexus LS Features

The features of the Lexus LS 460 are also worth appreciating. The standard version of this model comes fully loaded with 18-inch alloy wheels, adaptive xenon headlights, a sunroof, leather seating, wood trim, dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats with power controls and memory, keyless ignition/entry and a 10-speaker audio system with a six-CD/MP3 changer and auxiliary audio jack. They are also equipped with additional features which are optional such as -drive-based navigation system with a rearview camera, Bluetooth, satellite radio with real-time traffic, front seat ventilation, heated rear seats and a power rear sunshade. They are also equipped with dual-zone automatic climate controls, heated front bucket seats with lumbar adjustments.

However over and above these components they have the most impressive feature i.e. ability to park itself via the Intelligent Park Assist System. This Intelligent park system is beneficial to all the new drivers; however the well accustomed drivers do not find this feature very useful.

2009 Lexus  LS 460 Performance

The performance of Lexus LS 460 can be rated as average as even with a strong engine and eight gears help move the car comfortably but the handling and brakes do meet the expectation of the driver. On our test drive we found the engine was powerful that produces 380 horsepower and 367 pound-feet of torque and provided smooth and even run. The acceleration was in perfect move with the competitors. we noted that the gear changes were mostly discernible under most driving conditions. Power delivery is silky-smooth and nearly silent, running through an eight-speed automatic transmission with manual shift control One minor weakness involves the brakes, which some drivers find non-progressive and a bit touchy at first. The brakes could have been better. They measured a pitiful 209 feet of stopping distance from 70 mph, which was 30 feet longer than an LS430.

The performance managed to reach 60 mph in a very respectable 5.8 seconds, which is comparable to competing luxury sedans.

When we checked the fuel efficiency we concluded that EPA fuel ratings come in at 16 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg in combined driving.

Lexus  LS 460 Quality

Lexus is a sedan car that provides good material quality. The steering is so comfortable to hold as it is sewn with ultra soft stitching. This model is a premium model and is designed for luxury rather than for holding cargo. However the trunk is adequate for most travel needs.

They are efficiently designed so as to offer comfort and the ride is also amazingly quiet without much noise.
This car is known to be ideal for long haul travels. They have comfortable seats with spacious legroom which make it great for travel on long holidays. The seating configurations on the standard version can hold five people. The front row seats are made of leather and the rear seats are quite spacious. These seats have heating, cooling and massage options also.

Lexus LS Safety

The 2009 Lexus LS 460 is big safe car that is complete with all safety features.  They are equipped with all standard features such as antilock disc brakes, traction control, stability control, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front-seat knee airbags and optional rear-seat side airbags. You can choose from are Lexus Link cruise control and Lexus’ Pre-Collision System. Pre-Collision uses a radar sensor to detect objects in front of the car, plus a computer that tracks vehicle speed, yaw rate and steering angle. If the computer feels that the collision is possible it immediately activates the seatbelt pre-pensioners and engages full power braking when the brake pedal is depressed.
During the various crash tests that were conducted the 2009 Lexus LS 460 scored the top rating of “Good” in both frontal-offset and side-impact tests.

Conclusion

We can conclude that the Lexus LS 460 is a conservatively styled sedan car. The main highlights are intelligent cabin design, superb interior materials, smooth and strong V8 power, slick eight-speed transmission, blue tooth and live traffic integration.

We found the main drawbacks were that the body style could have been better, brakes were also too abrupt. This model does not command a presence like other European models.