Skip advert
Advertisement

Lexus GS Review-price, specs and 0-60 time - Engine and Gearbox

Pair of hybrid executive saloons offer a different take on the Germanic norm

Evo rating
RRP
from £31,495
  • Big, well equipped and company car tax-friendly in GS 300h form
  • Out classed on the road, and the Germans now offer hybrids too

Engine and gearbox

 Both the 300h and 450h follow the same hybrid principle, though obviously in the 450h the electric motor is mated to a larger 3.5-litre V6 engine over the 300h’s 2.5-litre four-cylinder unit. Both are direct-injection petrol engines, the 2.5-litre four producing 178bhp on its own and the V6 288bhp. To that the permanent magnet synchronous electric motors add 141bhp to the 300h's output and 197bhp to the V6, though the gains aren’t as much as you’d imagine when taken as a whole. The maximum system output of the 300h’s two motors is 220bhp, while the 450h produces up to 341bhp.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As with all the current Lexus hybrids those combined outputs drive through an e-CVT automatic transmission and it is undoubtedly the weakest link in the whole mating of electric and internal combustion forces. It maximises efficiency by sitting at the engine’s optimum revs for any particular moment, which does little for refinement when you want to accelerate. It’s fine as long as you don’t ask too much from it, but demand power for an overtake and the engine flares up to high revs and hangs on, in a manner that’s rather unsuitable for an executive class saloon.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 2025 review – 'N0' tyre makes Porsche GT3 RS a wet weather weapon
Michelin GT3 RS tyre
Reviews

Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 2025 review – 'N0' tyre makes Porsche GT3 RS a wet weather weapon

Michelin has developed a wet and cold weather tyre for the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and it’s brilliant
23 Apr 2025
Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name
Vauxhall Astra GSE
Opinion

Why the Vauxhall Astra should have been given a different name

It’s time to reassess a perennially underrated hatchback, says Porter
17 Apr 2025
Ferrari Elettrica confirmed for October reveal
Ferrari EV spies
News

Ferrari Elettrica confirmed for October reveal

Ferrari will reveal its first all-electric car in October 2025 and it will be called: Elettrica
22 Apr 2025