The 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR sedan really lives up to the company’s tagline: The Pursuit of Perfection. After spending a week in this sedan we are officially huge fans of the finished product.
Exterior
You can’t help but admire the stylish, 18-inch, five-spoke wheel on the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR as they set the tone for a truly classy skin. What Lexus refers to as the “L-finesse design” incorporates a 112.2-inch wheel base, long hood, and pulled back cabin with a short rear deck. The design gives the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR a very powerful but elegant stance. Some of the exterior differences for the GS 450h include a blue hybrid designation on the side rocker moldings, aluminum and blue enameled rear model designation, front grille, special 18-inch light-alloy wheels, a Lexus Hybrid Drive engine cover, blue front and rear “L” logos, a blue tint to the headlamps, clear tail lamp covers and a power meter that replaces the tachometer. Combined with the incredible Obsidian Black paint job, the test model we drove was absolutely gorgeous.
Interior
The folks at Lexus fine tuned an already luxurious interior with ultra premium genuine wood trim, wood and leather steering wheel & shift knob, and soft, leather-trimmed seats. Our test model was loaded, including one touch open and close moon roof with pinch protection, automatic recirculation with smog sensor and air filter and rear camera. The Lexus premium sound system with automatic sound levelizer, in-dash 6-disc CD changer sounded like a live concert. The Bluetooth technology with USB/AUX audio plugs and XM satellite radio was also included. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel with auto tilt away worked like a charm and made the car feel like our very own. The overall cabin is sleek and uncluttered but we would like to see some upgraded material for the dashboard.
Performance
There is no mistaking that the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR Sedan is a hybrid and we welcome this technology in such an incredible car. Our test model delivered V8 power in a neatly wrapped hybrid package, delivering solid fuel efficiency. The already quiet ride of the Lexus GS is now enhanced when driving in electric mode. Choose between sport or normal driving knowing full well that the sport drive takes off like a rocket. With the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR Sedan being a full hybrid, it’s capable of operating in gas-only or electric-only modes, or a combination of the two. The GS 450h was the first hybrid vehicle to enable the electric drive motor to contribute to highway performance, not just slow-speed driving. Our media car boasted a 3.5-liter, four cam, 24 valve V-6 engine with dual variable valve time and electric drive motor with Lexus Hybrid drive. You clearly don’t feel any gear shifting, mainly because of the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission with 2-speed reduction and snow mode. Per Lexus, “A 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery pack is installed behind the rear seat area. The battery’s power is directed through a “boost converter” that can efficiently raise voltage to a maximum 650V DC. An inverter changes this to AC, providing its elevated power to the 147-kW electric motor, which turns as high as 14,400 rpm. A 12-volt auxiliary battery powers various vehicle systems, including audio and navigation”. One has to get behind the wheel of this car to truly appreciate the engineering and technological advances Lexus squeezed into the GS 450h.
Overview
When you enter the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR Sedan expectations are high. Lexus should know that they didn’t disappoint with this advanced luxury machine. After driving this car you can’t help but wonder where can luxury cars go next? For a considerable price tag of $60,690, consumers will demand only the best of everything and the GS 450h delivers on all fronts, even on fuel efficiency with 22 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. There is absolutely no let down with performance and the refinement to the exterior is noteworthy. Over the next few years the status of hybrids will rise and there is no doubt that the 2011 Lexus GS 450h 4DR Sedan will play a role in elevating the conversation.
