Secret executive cars of 2006 - Lexus GS450h

On sale: May 2006
Price: From £45,000 (est)

This could be the most important new executive car of 2006 – at least for those car buyers who want to drive a luxurious saloon, but who are also concerned about the impact of emissions on the environment.

The GS450h is the latest hybrid from Lexus, and steals a considerable march on BMW and Mercedes to bring petrol-electric hybrid power to the executive car sector.

The hybrid promises all the refinement and luxury we’ve already seen in the new GS range, but fuel consumption and emissions on a par with those of the 2.0-litre petrol saloon. In short, you should be able to wring about 35mpg from the GS450h – not bad for a car of this size.

Lower carbon dioxide emissions, in the region of 185g/km, should also make the car a more realistic proposition for company car drivers.

Its 3.5-litre V6 petrol and electric engines can together deliver more than 340bhp, making it the most powerful hybrid produced to date. It should be able to power from a standstill to 62mph in less than six seconds.

For more details on the What Car? 100 Secret Cars of 2006 and Beyond, see the February 2006 issue of What Car? magazine, on sale now.


See the February 2006 issue of What Car? magazine for a free 100 Secret Cars of 2006 and Beyond supplement.