The realm of hybrid technology is rapidly spreading and Lexus is giving it an entry into the luxury field with its 2007 450h, billed as the ‘world’s first hybrid-powered performance luxury sport sedan.’ Based on the second-year GS platform, it uses a combination of a 3.5-liter V-6 gasoline engines and a pair of electric motor-generators. The combination is rated at 340 horsepower and can propel the 450h from 0-to-60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The luxury sedan gets a 25 mpg city/28 mpg highway rating and is certified as a super-low emissions vehicle. Power from both sources is transmitted to the rear wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission in seamless fashion. The top model in the 2007 GS line, the 450h features the highest level of standard luxury equipment including power moonroof, heated and ventilated front seats, rear side airbags, rain-sensing wipers, rear back-up camera, headlight washers and the adaptive front lighting system which illuminates a curve when the driver steers into it.

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