First Spy Photos of the Lexus HS 250h?
So not even twelve hours after seeing the Mag-X rendering of the upcoming Lexus HS 250h hybrid, TPP reader Dan posted a link to a series of photos by Mike Ingels, who very well may have captured the first spy shots of the new hybrid:
Considering these photos were taken near the Chrysler proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan, so there’s every possibility this isn’t the HS, but I definitely see some Lexus touches in the design, including the hybrid lower door trim and the wheel design. Nevermind that in the photo of the four models sitting outside the store, the beige car looks like a GS.
What do you think? Yes or no?
[Source: The Erie Hiker (Thanks Dan!)]
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November 11th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
I respect lexus’ plan to go all Hybrid, and enviromentally sound and all… however, why would do they insist on keeping the same, boring styling, year after year. How long will those 60 something year old customers buy a Lexus? Try styling to market the fresh out of a 4year age range, and watch it smoke its competitors
November 12th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I think lexus has changed a lot with their styling. Take a look at the new LS and how it competes with the BMW and S class. The LS 430 was for 60 year olds while the 7 series and S class were for rich 40’s and up. Now the new LS 460 can take on the 7 Series and the S class at a much cheaper price.
Look at the GS, it has much more style than the 5 series and is much more comfortable, the GS 350 is a crazy powerful car and if you go up to the GS 460 it’s insane!
Then you look at the all new RX which looks much more sporty than the old and the interior is a major leap forward. What will be interesting is to see if they offer it with a third row and drop the GX to make way for a dedicated sport SUV based of the GS to compete with the X5 and to some extent the Cayenne.
Going to all hybrids makes sense, if everyone is buying one then the price of the car does not need to go up. A dedicated hybrid seems slightly strange but i guess if there is already a toyota version it isn’t too hard to make a lexus version.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I am totally crazy about LEXUS but lately we LEXUS fans have only been dissapointed.Firstly the new upcoming RX and now this whats going on.10 years ago i really believed LEXUS was the company to take on the europeans and win now i am finding hard to believe i actually thought that way
November 12th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I saw this on Erie Hiker’s website yesterday.
I don’t know why I didn’t say anything…I saw Dan’s message lol
Anyways, I’m having a hard time finding any signs that this is a Chrysler vehicle. Every little detail, from the taillights to …the belt-line to roof-line ration, compared to the entire height …and the headlights, keeps telling me that this is a car from GM. The mules match the rumors of the Buick Invicta and Opel Insignia coming to the US with a slightly altered face. Could Chrysler be coping GM’s “global” design? I’m just having a hard time considering this to be a Chysler instead of a GM fleet of mules.
November 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
Those test mules make me think of the Lincoln MKS.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
You’re right!!!
Damn…So Chrysler is now gonna be a combination of Ford and GM? I wonder if Jim Press has anything to do with this.
lol…best of both worlds or not?
November 12th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
Isn’t that (the white one) the ES?
November 13th, 2008 at 12:29 am
Disappointing if it’s true… they’ll probably give you a free Lexus cardigan and tea-cozy with every car.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:21 am
All in all, it is obvious Lexus and Toyota are leading all auto industries. I work at a Lexus Dealer and it hasn’t slowed down a bit while other dealerships are shooting shit. However, the majority of the customers are in their 50’s, trying to service their cars before tee time…
If Lexus designers added a wide body, like Benz does; a mean aggressive look to their cars, like bmw does; provide a more powerful option for all their cars like audi does; with the engineering Lexus already has… Lexus will prevail in greater numbers.
but as of now, lets just compete with Buick and Hyundai.
November 13th, 2008 at 10:56 am
That’s not the Lexus hybrid, the mirrors are not mounted vertically to the doors like the latest Lexus models. Its likely to be a GM test mule using the Lexus ES for comparison.
Regarding the previous comment,Mr.Lexus employee thinks Lexus cars are not wide? The LS is actually wider than both
the Mercedes S-class & CL-class!
…and whats with this comparison to Buick & Hyundai?!!!!
November 13th, 2008 at 6:00 pm
@Hube: Sure is, I only included it for completion’s sake.
@SafeerG: Good observation, though I think there’s plenty of Lexus traits to counter-balance that fact, particularly the hybrid door details and the rims, which are almost certainly Lexus OEM.
December 2nd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
It’s not a lexus, it’s a 2010 Buick Lacrosse
December 4th, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Your guess is as good as mine.