Toyota Sai: New Dedicated Hybrid Sedan Based on the Lexus HS 250h Officially Launched in Japan
Only a few hours after we posted the first brochure shots of the all-new Sai and Toyota officially took the veils off its new hybrid sedan that will make its public outing at this week's Tokyo International Motor Show. Larger and more luxurious than the Prius, the Japanese automaker's second dedicated hybrid car is a sister model to the Lexus HS 250h that recently went on sale in the U.S.In fact, the two vehicles differ only slightly in appearance with the Sai featuring a new front end design with a unique treatment for the head lamps, bonnet, grille and bumper and different tail lights (even the rear bumper remains the same) and alloy wheel designs.
The reshaped rear side windows and the absence of protective / decorative door trims sum up the exterior revisions over the Lexus HS 250h.
Toyota's designers spent a few more hours -metaphorically speaking- on the Sai's interior as the hybrid model features a new instrument panel and center console design as well as a different steering wheel and less fancy trim than its Lexus counterpart.
There are no hidden surprises under the hood as the Sai features the same gasoline-electric hybrid system as the HS 250h. In other words it's powered by a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle VVTi four-cylinder teamed up with an electric motor and a battery pack to achieve a total system output of 190 horsepower. A continuously variable transmission and front-wheel drive round out the drivetrain.
The new Toyota Sai hybrid sedan is planned to go on sale in Japan on December 7, 2009 with a monthly sales target of 3,000 units.
It will be offered in four trim levels with prices ranging from 3,380,000 yen to 4,260,000 yen ($37,200 to $46,800 US at today's exchange rates). In comparison, the HS 250h is priced in Japan between 3,950,000 and 5,350,000 yen ($43,500 to $58,800). Toyota said it that
Toyota did not say whether the Sai will be available in other markets outside Japan.
- Trd Releases First Upgrades For Toyota Sai Hybrid
Toyota's budget version of the Lexus HS 250h, the new Sai Hybrid, just went on sale in Japan in the beginning of the month, but the automaker's TRD division has already lined up some subtle visual and performance upgrades for the sedan. In addition...
- Tokyo '09: Toyota Sai Hybrid Is A Budget Lexus Hs 250h
We think that the title and the pictures say it all about Toyota's second dedicated hybrid model after the Prius and first in sedan form that made its world premiere at the Tokyo motorshow. Nevertheless, if you insist on learning more about the all-new...
- Lexus Rumored To Debut Compact Hatchback Concept In Frankfurt, Targets Bmw 1 Series
Toyota's premium brand Lexus is planning to unveil a five-door compact hatchback concept at this September's Frankfurt Motors Show that will be followed by a production model at next year's Geneva Salon, according to Edmunds. The report goes...
- 2010 Lexus Hs 250h: Dedicated Hybrid Sedan With 187hp 4-cylinder Engine
Revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the all-new HS 250h is Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model as well as the first to future a four-cylinder gas engine. Seeing the first photos of the HS 250h we couldn't avoid making...
- 2010 Lexus Hs 250h Dedicated Hybrid Sedan Confirmed For Detroit Show
We've been hearing rumors about Lexus' first dedicated hybrid model for quite a while now, but today, the Japanese automaker officially confirmed that the all-new HS 250h will make its worldwide debut at next month's 2009 North American International...