One evening I happened to be with a group of auto people who—surprise, surprise—were talking about cars.  And one of the vehicles discussed was the Lexus GS 450h four-door sedan.  The “h” in the name means that this is a hybrid. That is, under the hood there is found a 292-hp, 3.5-liter V6 engine that, as part of the overall powertrain system, is linked to a couple of 650-V permanent magnet electric motors (one is the primary generator that controls engine speed and acts as the engine starter; the other helps drive the rear wheels and is used in the vehicle’s regenerative braking—essentially, taking in some of the energy that is otherwise wasted during applying the discs).  There is an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT).

All of which goes to the point that while the V6 under the hood provides 292 hp, the total system power is 340-hp—thanks to the addition of the electrics and the electronics.  According to Lexus, the vehicle can do 0 to 60 in 5.2 seconds.  When Car and Driver ( www.caranddriver.com ) did its comparo test (up against the BMW 550i, Infiniti M45, and Mercedes E550), they got 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds.  Either way, unless you’re in the Olympics and really sensitive to the passing of brief periods of time, it goes rather fast for a vehicle with a curb weight of 4,134 lb. (when you’re rolling around with a 288-Volt nickel metal hydride battery pack behind the rear seat area, you know that you’re hefting some weight: think about having 192 D-cells, to say nothing of the wiring).  In fact, it goes rather smartly by street metrics of almost any sort.

One of the people involved in the conversation admitted that the car goes like perfume (that would be stink, but we’re talking about a luxurious vehicle here), but was off-put by the fact that it gets up and goes. . .quietly.  He wanted to hear more noise.  He probably won’t be able to afford a Lexus anytime soon, being so unsophisticated.  Luxury cars should purr and burble, not growl and belch.

Another really liked it, but was a little confused as to why the car has the ability to go so fast and yet it is a hybrid.  Which brings us to that thicket of whether “hybrid” by definition has to be something that provides fuel efficiency.  Most cars that have Z-rated tires don’t generally fall into the frugal category.  (Actually, the vehicle Driven had optional run-flat tires, which added $400 to the sticker.)  And near as I can tell, those who are looking for something economical will probably go to a Toyota dealership rather than Lexus.  But there is the point that it goes like a V8 yet has a V6, and that if you compare it that way, then the EPA-estimated 22 city/25 highway mpgs are better than the 17 city/24 highway mpgs that are the numbers for the GS 460 with a 342 hp V8.

That generally leads to quibbling about things like “payback” for the hybrid.

Here’s a tip: If you’re all about payback for your vehicle, and I mean all about, then chances are there is a mode of public transportation that might be far more cost effective.  If you want to buy a car because you happen to like it, then calculate the value of emotion and forget about the rest.  Some people like hybrids because they just think the technology is cool.  Period.  Just the same way that some people think that the Mark Levinson audio system sounds incredible and are willing to pony up the optional $1,780 to get it.  Some people think that their iPods played through the air sounds good.  There are matters that go beyond explanation.

This led to an examination of the car by a vehicle designer, who was just off a program for a domestic manufacturer.  He was the lead designer on a vehicle that was recently introduced.  One that is garnering lots of attention.  He was duly impressed by the GS 450h.  The first thing that he pointed out were the chrome accents on the aluminum wheels.  I could have looked at the car all day and not noticed them.  But once I did, I saw how nice the accent is to the overall appearance.  Inside he looked carefully at the quality of the materials and the way sections intersected and seams were handled.  It was like watching an archeologist who was painstakingly examining a new find.  When he stepped out of the car and stood back from it, he commented, “They really do a good job.  Subtle.  Nothing garish.  I think before they were uncertain.  Now they really know what they’re doing.”

Indeed.

Vehicle as Driven

Engine: 3.5-liter V6; aluminum block and head

Horsepower: 292 @ 6,400 rpm

Torque: 267 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm

Big difference: This is a hybrid, so there are two electric motor-generators.  Total hp: 340

Transmission: Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission

Wheelbase: 112.2 in.

Overall length: 190 in.

Height: 56.1 in.

Width: 71.7 in.

Curb weight: 4,134 lb.

Seating: 5

MSRP: $54,900; as Driven with options and delivery, $60,741