ABOUT THE GS450h
The GS450h sedan is the first hybrid model for
Lexus in Australia.
Hybrid Synergy Drive
means
that the vehicle contains a petrol engine and an
electric motor for power. The two hybrid power
sources are stored on board the vehicle:
1. Petrol stored in the fuel tank for the
petrol engine.
2. Electricity stored in a high voltage Hybrid
Vehicle (HV) battery pack for the electric motor.
The result of combining these two power sources is
improved fuel economy and reduced emissions.
The petrol engine also powers an electric generator
to recharge the battery pack; unlike a pure all
electric vehicle, the GS450h never needs to be
recharged from an external electric power source.
Depending on the driving conditions one or both
sources are used to power the vehicle. The
following illustration demonstrates how the
GS450h operates in various driving modes.
❶
During light acceleration at low speeds, the
vehicle is powered by the electric motor.
The petrol engine is shut off.
❷
During normal driving, the vehicle is powered
mainly by the petrol engine. The petrol engine
also powers the generator to recharge the
battery pack.
❸
During full acceleration, such as climbing a hill,
both the petrol engine and the electric motor
power the vehicle.
❹
During deceleration, such as when braking, the
vehicle regenerates the kinetic energy from the
rear wheels to produce electricity that recharges
the battery pack.
❺
While the vehicle is stopped, the petrol engine
and electric motor are off, however the vehicle
remains on and operational.
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