Two Lexus HS 250h Commercials
Here’s two Lexus HS 250h commercials—the first is from Japan, and involves saving the world:
This second commercial shows the HSh’s Heads-up Display in greater detail:
The HUD isn’t available in the HSh in Canada, so this is the first time I’ve seen the upgraded graphics and display information. Very impressed to see the steering wheel controls are also being projected—just like the touch tracer display in the Prius.
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Thank god they not only included what the Prius had but also made a better version of it. The HUD with the touch sensitive controls seem very practical - make the EXTREMELY practical.
It might be a cultural thing, but I dont like the kind of commercials they broadcast in Japan. They have some really good witty and informative ones for the US and Canadian market, but to me, the Japanese ones lack information and the kind of humor/thought provoking that is needed in a commercial
so Japan is gonna get both the Lexus HS AND the Toyota Sai?! They not only look very similar overall, but their side profiles are virtually identical with only minor exceptions, such as the wing mirrors, the slight difference in curves in front of the A-pillar, the different window shape for the rear doors, and the chrome strip running along the bottom of the doors.
So Toyota in Japan is moving up its social status, but only minimally because of the country’s level of hi-tech expectations, but Lexus is… where is Lexus?!
I think the Sai looks better than the HS too
haha, honestly I think Lexus could have done better with it’s 1st dedicated hybrid model.
And here is the video of its close cousin, the Toyota SAI.
It’s virtually identical to the HS, and it even has its own Remote Touch that goes by the same name!
hehe… but this is one heck of a funny picture of the front seat of the HS:
Yeah IMO Toyota shot themselves in the foot. The Sai is pretty much identical to the HS (yet the Sai looks better IMO). I’m sure the Sai is cheaper too. I think Toyota should have given the Sai an Avensis interior or something in order to separate it from the HS.
As for the HS I think Lexus should go back to the drawing board with that exterior design. It’s not ugly but it’s not distinctive or “pretty” either. The grille needs to be completely redone since it’s the ugliest part of the HS’s design. The car’s profile and rear end are very bland and not distinctively hybrid. Imagine if the side profile and the back end looked something like this:
Or the Converj concept (although I’m not sure of the interior room there). IMO, the HS is more in the mold of the ES 250…a car that is testing the market, and exterior-wise is not as extensively styled, and more Toyota-like. At least the Sai is not being sold in most Lexus HS markets thus far.
You’re probably right about the ES250 thing, but even so, with the HS being Lexus’s first ad likely only dedicated hybrid, they should have gone more “radical” with the styling. Toyota/Lexus should have learned that hybrid buyers prefer “radical” versus traditional styling. To me the current HS repeats Toyota’s mistake with the first gen Prius. The first gen Prius was a basic bland sedan that didn’t look much different from the Echo. Fast forward to the second gen Prius, and we see a more dynamic distinctive (although somewhat controversial) design that really put the Prius on the map and not only put it on the map but made it an icon. Sales figures for the second gen blew the first one out of the water.
Now look at the HS. Just like the first gen Prius its a plain jane sedan, with overall bland uninspiring styling. If Toyota’s history in hybrids could be used to gauge the HS’s success, I would go as far as to say that the HS isn’t going to be as successful as it could have potentially been due to it’s styling.
To make things clear, I don’t think that the HS should have looked like the Prius, but there are things Lexus could have done to make it look dynamic and distinctive. I use the Tesla Model S as an example, because in my opinion it is a great look for an efficient luxury sedan.
@WorldofLuxury: I’m not a big fan of Toyota’s decision with the SAI, but then I don’t know the Japanese market well enough to comment. Could be that this type of rebadging isn’t as out of fashion as it is in North America.
@(Cj): The best explanation I’ve heard in regards to the HS design is that the co-efficient drag was set before any design sketches were made. This is an engineer’s vehicle, meant to be an efficient transport device.
I’ve spent some time with the HS, and like it for that reason—it has a distinct commuter vibe, and perfectly suits the role.
Another thing: I don’t think we’ll see another car like it with Akio Toyoda in charge.
@krew:
The new E-class coupe is so much more slippery than the HS.
haha so true!
You can checkout a very comprehensive review and video of the Lexus HS 250h on http://www.wearesponsibly.com/2009/12/10/test-drive-lexus-hs-250h-premium-review/
I agree with @worldofluxury the HUD is awesome!
R