According to Autocar, the Lexus HS 250h will not be available in Europe because of an upcoming IS hybrid:
Lexus has ruled out bringing the HS 250h to the UK because it will clash with an upcoming IS hybrid model.
…a company source said the model will not come to Europe because both the Avensis and the Lexus IS model will be getting a hybrid powertrain.
The Lexus IS, which is likely to get a hybrid version for the next generation, is only slightly larger than the HS 250h and would be a direct competitor.
“Selling the HS 250h here would be an emphatic no because of Toyota’s plans to put a hybrid in every range by 2020. The car would be premium d-segment and a direct competitor to the Avensis and the IS, which already meet premium needs.”
The concept of an IS hybrid is interesting, especially if it was running some version of the 3.5L V6 found in the GS 450h. With only the IS 250 (204-hp) & diesel IS 220 (175-hp) available in Europe, a 336-hp IS 450h would certainly close the gap between the current models and the IS-F.
[Source: Autocar]
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