While I strongly reject that anyone was put in danger while making this video, I recognize publicly that concerns about reckless driving have been raised. Reckless driving is a real issue, and I acknowledge that some in the online automotive industry have expressed concern at the driving displayed in the video. In response to those concerns and more importantly because I share concerns about reckless driving, I have decided to pull the video. While I was there and personally know that no one was endangered in the situation, I understand that it is hard for some who were not there to see or realize that. My intent was never to be controversial.
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Category: First Drives
2010 Lexus HS250 Hybrid
The new Lexus HS250 is a departure for Lexus and its hybrid line. The LS600 hybrid is meant to have the power of a V12 with the fuel economy of a V8, utilizing a hybrid system in conjunction with a V8 which gives it decent fuel economy. The same can be said for the GS450 hybrid. These are hybrids that are standing for something other then being green but more for performance in a different way than the competitors. The HS250 is the Lexus that is meant to be your step up into Luxury while still being “green.”
So you have had a Prius and you are now a little older, a little wiser, and want a vehicle that is a little more luxurious. What is your next move for a new car? Well, you could go and get a new third generation Prius and load it up with all the optional tech toys. Though the Prius does not have the luxury badge, and you still want to be a little green. Enter the Lexus HS250 which is all new for 2010. At first glance you think Toyota took and rebadged/restyled a Prius and slapped a L badge on it. The HS250 is actually based on the Scion tC platform and the foreign market Toyota Avensis platform. This front wheel drive platform is a fine base, but people still assume naturally this is a rebadged Prius.
With a 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder putting out 147 hp and adding to that a 40 hp electric motor, you get a grand total of 187 hp and 180 ft-lb. This is essentially the powertrain from the Toyota Camry Hybrid. This is good for a rated 8.7 second jaunt from 0-60 which is almost a full second quicker then the new third generation Prius. Driving is more engaging and much more “Lexus like” than the Prius. With much more sound deadening and a lighter to the touch steering feel, this car feels more luxurious. This is all good because this car is quite a bit more money then the Prius. The car is refined and overall enjoyable to drive. I was taking corners faster than a hybrid usually wants to go, and the car handled comfortably without complaint. Although this is definitely no sports car. Once going, the wind noise and more importantly highway noise is noticeably quieter then the Prius. Something to note, the engine does not require premium fuel. It is content with regular 87 octane gasoline. The car is rated at 35 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway for a combined 34 mpg overall. I have heard reports of people getting mid 50’s, which if you harp on it constantly you can fall into the very low 30’s. These are all respectable numbers, though the new Prius is rated at 50 mpg combined which you can easily beat when trying. One reason for the huge gas milage differences is the Prius’s engine is a smaller displacement putting out less total power.
The interior is a nice place to spend time. The car I had was “stripped,” no optional equipment was on board. The sound system was OK but definitely not as good as the optional Mark Levinson sound system. The controls all operate silky smooth and are great to the touch. The “buttons” on the steering wheel are not as they appear. The actual buttons are under those icons which are covered in a membrane like material. The trunk is a mere 12.1 cubic feet because the battery pack is sandwiched between the backseat and the trunk. There are a lot of tech toys that are available on this car that were not on the car I tested. If you are into tech this car can be completely loaded up.
The base price for this car is $34,200 and if you option it out with technology, you could be knocking close to the $50k door. Keep in mind you are deep in entry level luxury range here competing in price with the Infiniti G37, Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, and others. This car does get much better gas milage, and after all, is that not what Hybrids are all about? Lexus is saying this car falls between the ES and IS line and is for young technology savvy people that care about the environment. Notice they did not say green because we all know they have the lower level Toyota Prius for that. In this price bracket I would have a hard time recommending this car, personally I would go with one of the aforementioned competitors. I am into driver engagement and fun-to-drive factor, and in those departments, this car can not compete. If you want an entry level hybrid luxury, car this is the only place to look in town because there is no real competition, yet.
In my lifetime Pontiac has never come out with a car that automotive journalists have compared to a BMW, until now. When the G8 came out, the automotive community instantly starting making comparisons to the BMW 5 series. In the beginning of 2008 when the G8 started showing up in dealerships enthusiasts knew exactly what it was and bought them quick. Now fast forward to mid 2009 and Pontiac is being killed off as part of GM’s restructuring. According to GM the G8 is following Pontiac into the grave and the enthusiasts are crying. Now to get to why they are crying.
2009 G8 GT
The G8 is based on the Zeta rear wheel drive platform from Australia. This is a slightly modified version of the platform the new Camaro rides on. The G8 has a great stance that looks as if it hugs the ground. The exterior is instantly recognizable as a Pontiac with the dart in between the grills. The hood scoops are non functional on the GT. With that said, the scoops work for the look of this car. The low beam headlights are projectors with tint surrounding the lights. The overall front end is menacing. The rear of the G8 GT has different tail lights than the plain jane G8 with a more intricate design. The GT that I tested had a sport package. This gave the exterior 19 inch machine faced aluminum wheels which looked great. Also included in the sport package was summer tires, sport steering wheel, and aluminum pedals.
Gauge Cluster G8 GT
The interior of the G8 is good. The interior is not the best the GM has developed, but it is a not a bad place to spend your time behind the wheel. This car originally comes from the Australian arm of GM, Holden. To keep costs down, GM made the car in a way that allowed as little as possible to be changed going from right hand drive to left hand drive for North America. Keeping that in mind, certain things are not where we would normally expect them in a GM car.
Window Switches/Mirror Controls G8 GT
The window switches and mirror adjustment controls are on the center console by the cup holders. This made it easy for any country the car would be made for. The radio is Blaupunkt branded which is not something you see everyday. The stereo sounds good with decent highs and pounding lows. The LCD in the center stack is not a touch screen and is used to display radio and climate control settings. There is no navigation option on this car other than OnStar. In the late 2009 models bluetooth was an option, though the car is not being built anymore so you would have to make sure to check the build sheet on remaining cars. The trunk release button is somewhat inconvenient since it is in the glove box. The G8 I was in had the premium package which gave it a leather steering wheel, leather covered shift knob, and leather seats. The leather seats are heated for those in the snow belt states.
The interior is not what this car is about and neither is the exterior. This is a drivers car. It is not every day that you can take a four door full size sedan and say it handles like a sports car. This also is significant because it is everyday livable. This would be a fun and comfortable daily driver while you could go outside the city on the weekend to back country roads and toss the car into a corner all while smiling. The G8 GT has a 6.0L V8 producing 361 horsepower rocketing the four door full size sedan 0-60 in 5.3 seconds. These numbers are true sports car territory which is exactly what the G8 GT is. I was happily surprised with the 6 speed automatic. I truly thought an automatic would hinder the car. The transmission has three different modes. While in drive the transmission will upshift and optimize for best fuel economy. If you slide the shifter into the manual gate it will put the transmission into sport mode. This optimizes shift points instead of optimizing fuel economy. The third option is the manual shift gate and push the shifter for manual shifts. I am satisfied with the shifter in sport mode. The transmission knew when I was going full out and held right to redline before shifting.
The G8 GT is the right car in the wrong time. Had this car come out a few years ago before gas prices sky rocketed and the economy came crashing down things could have turned out differently. Unfortunately that was not the hand we were dealt and thus the G8 GT will fade away after this year.
As I mentioned on Twitter the day I was at The GM product and technology event, I did have a conversation with Bob Lutz about the demise of the G8. Mr. Lutz informed me about the backlash GM was hearing with the demise of the G8 from enthusiasts and their opinions were not falling on deaf ears. While nothing is set in stone, he did say the G8 could be a Chevrolet. The car would be a high end model with big brakes, big motor, a modern four door Corvette. Though it would not be a Corvette model, it would have the essence of the Corvette in a four door sedan. Time will tell what comes of that. Until then, if you are in the market for a four door family sedan that is truly a drivers car, the G8 GT is a true value at a sticker price of $31,755 with a big V8 and stump pulling power.
