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| Lexus GS 450h |
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Lexus GS 450h and IS 350
The GS 450h is the first rear-wheel-drive production hybrid: a version of the all-new GS-series saloon with Toyota/Lexus' petrol-electric pwoertrain technology. It "will provide an unparalleled combination of high performance, luxury-refinement and unexpected fuel efficiency", says the company. Its technology is similar to that proven in the Prius, but it is considerably more powerful: the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and electric motor give an output of over 300 bhp, equivalent to that which could be obtained by a 4.5 V8, hence the car's badging. Developed for high torque mid-range, and maximum torque available instantly on demand, acceleration 30-50mph is claimed to be particularly strong, and a standing start 0-60 mph comes up in "substantially under" six seconds. Fuel economy, however, is "more typical of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder compact saloon", says Lexus (official figures haven't been released yet), with "one of the lowest emissions ratings in the world."
The GS450h will go on sale in the middle of next year; the conventional-powertrain GS300 and GS430 go on sale in the UK from mid-April 2005, with the hybrid RX400h arriving in June. Lexus also unveiled the IS350: the top-spec model in its new IS-series range (coming to the UK in the autumn), this has a 300 bhp 3.5-litre V6, revised suspension and sports-tuned stability and traction control.
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| Lotus Exige |
Lotus Exige
The little British company took to the Big Apple to launch the latest Toyota-engined Exige coupe to the Americans: the Mk 2 Exige, with new sheet metal and the 1.8-litre VVT engine (190bhp and 138lb ft), will be marketed as a road-legal racer or track day machine. It is hoped to up Lotus' US sales by a few hundred cars a year; Lotus has long enjoyed a cult following in the US, but hasn't been helped lately by the weakness of the dollar versus the pound. The company plans to get a firmer grip on the American market with its upcoming new GT, a replacement for the long-running Esprit, though this is said to still be a good few years from launch.
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| Mazda MX-5 |
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Mazda MX-5
An introductory special edition version of the new Mazda MX-5: 3,500 "3rd Generation" edition cars will be available worldwide, featuring chrome-trimmed details, a unique badge stating production number and special silver-finish 17-inch alloy wheels. An exclusive paint finish, Velocity Red Mica, will be offered and all examples will have the 2.0-litre engine and six-speed manual transmission. Prices and availability for the UK will be announced at a later date.
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