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IF YOU think hybrids are about as exciting as watching grass grow then you most certainly haven't driven the Lexus GS 450h - the world's first high performance petrol-electric saloon.

It goes like a thoroughbred petrolengined sportster, runs on electricity at 20mph or less and has the same carbon dioxide emissions as a Vauxhall Astra.

Lexus has left nothing to chance.

The chassis is extra stiff for precise handling, the suspension has been retuned for the weight of a hybrid's batteries and the power cells sit behind the rear seats for optimum weight distribution.

Company bosses claim the 450h has even better performance than a petrol-powered GS because the electric motor chimes in to help boost the 3.5-litre engine's acceleration when maximum power is required.

Most of the time, the 450h uses a conventional V6 petrol engine forged from aluminium to save weight.

Running alongside it is a compact, high-output electric motor that works almost like a supercharger.

It's the most powerful electric motor so far fitted to a passenger car - a full 20 per cent more punchy than the already impressive motor used in the Lexus RX 400h SUV - generating a remarkable 197bhp and 275Nm of torque.

The nickel metal hydride battery was co-developed with Panasonic and sits in the boot, directly behind the rear seats. This cuts into the 450h's luggage capacity (which is a disappointment if you are used to the conventional GS) but contributes to the perfect 50:50 weight distribution.

A power splitter decides whether you need full electric, petrol power or both together.

This lot drives the rear wheels via a super smooth continuously variable transmission.

Impressive, but what the bald statistics can't convey is the way the GS takes off when you plant your right foot. Unlike a conventional engine, which has to be at its optimum revs to make peak power, an electric motor can go from nothing to full beans in the blink of an eye. This makes overtaking ridiculously easy - just flex your right foot and blam....

the GS takes off like a rocket.

In fact, against the stopwatch it is faster to 100mph than a Subaru Impreza WRX and 60mph comes up from a standing start in less than six seconds.

About the only toll the hybrid conversion exacts is the way it shrinks the boot from a reasonable 430 litres to a mere 280-litres. Or, to put it another way, the GS has a boot not much larger than a Ford Fiesta.

Nor can the rear seat backs be folded down to improve this situation because there is a lot of battery sitting in-between.

The fuel tank, too, has shrunk from 73 litres to 65, although the improved fuel consumption of 30mpg+ should make up for that.

The ride, too, is a bit harsher than you'd expect but I didn't find it at all uncomfortable.

This being a Lexus, there is much more to the handling than springs and dampers. The GS has what is called the Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management system. Basically, this is a big computer brain that combines all the various inputs from the traction control, stability control, power steering, electronic braking controllers and the variable ratio steering.

This is fed into a computer which decides how stiff the suspension needs to be and how much feel' the steering should have.

It is fearsomely complex - and BMW can do it without all the gizmos - but the 450h is a tidy handler.

Being a Lexus the GS is crammed with gadgets.

From the keyless entry system to the intelligent cruise control which automatically slows if it detects a car in front, the 450h is an Aladdin's cave of hi-tech gizmology.

The SE-L test car arrived with full leather upholstery, electric front seats with memory, heating and ventilation, a touch screen satellite navigation system, DVD player and a powerful surround-sound audio system.

The electrically-adjustable steering wheel has a classy wood veneer rim. Similar trim is to be found on the doors and the centre console.

Twin-zone climate control maintains an even temperature regardless of conditions outside and the door mirrors automatically dim if they are filled with a car's headlights after dark.

Quite how all those motors, electrical circuits, heating elements and powerful speakers fit in with the car's green message I'm not sure, but there's no such thing as travelling second class in a Lexus.

Both front occupants are protected by dualstage airbags as well as knee and side bags. Along the side are curtain-type airbags and in the back rear side impact bags.

Phew! That's more bags than my local supermarket.

There's more - lots more - but I don't have another couple of pages to go into greater detail.

The Lexus GS 450h is a landmark car.

Until now going hybrid meant compromise.

There's no compromise in the GS. In fact, the hybrid technology is put to a different use, boosting performance to near supercar levels.

Don't be fooled by the environmental credentials - a large diesel saloon can do all this and more. What's important is that the 450h proves that you can drive something that is both green and mean at the same time.

SPECIFICATION

Engine: 3.5-litre V6/electric NiMh motor
Power: 292bhp (3.5 V6)/ 197 bhp (electric motor)
Top speed: 155mph
0-62mph: 5.9 seconds
Combined fuel cons: 35.8mpg
CO/2 exhaust emissions: 185g/km
Insurance group: 17
Warranty: 3 years/ 60,000 miles
Equipment: Electric windows, ABS, ESP, traction control, airbags, power steering, automatic gearbox, intelligent cruise control, reversing camera, DVD player, sat nav, leather upholstery, electric seats with memory position.

2:30pm Tuesday 6th May 2008

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