"Green doesn't mean slow anymore," says Black Book National's Ricky Beggs of the speedy GS 450h, one of two hybrids on our list. "The technology here makes the car both quick and efficient." Kelley's Ibara thinks the hybrid will have a higher residual value than the conventional GS: "We think that the relatively small increase in list price ($2,500) ensures that the car will sustain its higher residual," he says.
Hybrid engine technology that combines both fuel and electric power is typically used to improve a vehicle's fuel economy. However, there's no rule that it has to be used exclusively for that purpose, as a hybrid powertrain can also be utilized to provide enhanced performance. For an example, look no further than the Lexus GS 450h.
The first hybrid model introduced to the North American market that didn't have maximum fuel economy as a primary goal, the rear-wheel-drive GS 450h sport sedan delivers the power of a V8 with the fuel consumption of a V6. The GS 450h is also loaded with technology, including an adaptive suspension system and advanced electronic safety equipment. While the GS 450h may not slash through corners with the precision of a German-engineered sport sedan, it is able to boast being a one-of-a-kind performance hybrid.
Current Lexus GS 450h
The Lexus GS 450h debuted for the 2007 model year. It is powered by a gas-electric hybrid system, which combines a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a high-output electric motor. Though Lexus typically names its vehicles after engine displacement, it felt that "450" was appropriate given that the hybrid's output is equivalent to a 4.5-liter V8.
