GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011) Discussion about the 2006+ model GS300, GS350, GS430, GS450H and GS460

450H: Power mode?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-26-08, 04:20 PM
  #1  
SteveH35
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
SteveH35's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default 450H: Power mode?

What does Power mode actually do? What's happening technically?
Old 05-26-08, 04:34 PM
  #2  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,671
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

i heard people say both engines work together
Old 05-26-08, 05:06 PM
  #3  
supmario
Driver School Candidate
 
supmario's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I'm no expert but I noticed it does go slightly quicker in terms of acceleration I think all it does is from my experience of looking at the consumption screen is that the electric engine joins the petrol engine alot quicker than normal (the slightest touch on the throttle) so you get both working simultaneously sooner than in normal mode - but thats not a technical description! I'm sure someone else on here will have much better info.
Old 05-27-08, 11:06 AM
  #4  
SteveH35
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
SteveH35's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by supmario
I'm no expert but I noticed it does go slightly quicker in terms of acceleration I think all it does is from my experience of looking at the consumption screen is that the electric engine joins the petrol engine alot quicker than normal (the slightest touch on the throttle) so you get both working simultaneously sooner than in normal mode - but thats not a technical description! I'm sure someone else on here will have much better info.
doesn't make sense to me why that would reduce fuel economy...
Old 05-27-08, 11:37 AM
  #5  
rominl
exclusive matchup

iTrader: (4)
 
rominl's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Lovely OC
Posts: 81,671
Received 190 Likes on 148 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SteveH35
doesn't make sense to me why that would reduce fuel economy...
when you are in pwr mode, you want power, not fuel efficiency.....
Old 05-27-08, 02:03 PM
  #6  
Jace7
Lexus Test Driver
 
Jace7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

driving in sport takes out the "lag" when accelerating.
It's even less than normal, which is still great, especially on the highway at 70mph+.
Old 05-27-08, 03:56 PM
  #7  
SteveH35
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
SteveH35's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: CA
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

no one knows what the button does? I appreciate the responses, but none of them are technical and none really make sense to me.
Old 05-28-08, 08:20 AM
  #8  
Yang1815
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Yang1815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Originally Posted by SteveH35
no one knows what the button does? I appreciate the responses, but none of them are technical and none really make sense to me.
the usual stuff like higher shifting points, stays in gear longer, more aggressive downshifts, shorter gearshifts, etc.

as for the hybrid part, both gas and electric motors work together to provide max power.
Old 05-28-08, 07:56 PM
  #9  
Modeler
Lexus Test Driver
 
Modeler's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 824
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Yang1815
the usual stuff like higher shifting points, stays in gear longer, more aggressive downshifts, shorter gearshifts, etc.
Hybrid has a CVT
Old 05-28-08, 08:13 PM
  #10  
ISFTwins
Driver
 
ISFTwins's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: California
Posts: 197
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

In power mode the CVT will still choose a higher gear ratio to increase engine speed and therefore torque/acceleration.. The principle still applies with or without a conventional tranny.
Old 05-28-08, 08:43 PM
  #11  
timeToy
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (11)
 
timeToy's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: CA
Posts: 1,563
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Just like everyone said:

Hybrid motor and engine are working together (as opposed to electric then engine), the CVT settings will be more aggressive, throttle response much more crisp and overall the car feel more alive and more sporty. I have mine on at all time, so I can't comment on the fuel economy change...
Old 05-29-08, 10:56 AM
  #12  
flipside909
Lexus Connoisseur
 
flipside909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: USA
Posts: 19,801
Received 533 Likes on 282 Posts
Default

I've driven the GS450h at Laguna Seca last year in both NORM and PWR mode. Responsiveness in Power mode is a world of difference. Throttle response is instantaneous, and the engine stays planted into redline and hustles the car in a very peculiar way. It's a little odd to not hear the transmission shift, but rather the engine stays at maximum RPM at WOT until you let off. It's just as if you accidentally pushed the car into neutral and floored it the whole time...but in this case, with increasing speed.
Old 05-30-08, 11:56 AM
  #13  
Yang1815
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Yang1815's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 3,970
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

I wonder why CVT isn't even as an option on gas-only 3GS?! It sounds so cool!
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
conv350
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
15
06-20-13 09:50 AM
mlinn1967
GS - 3rd Gen (2006-2011)
16
01-19-10 11:01 AM
Lex5150
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
2
12-26-07 05:49 PM
jimjaix
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
8
02-26-07 07:02 AM
Pianoman72
GS - 1st Gen (1993-1997)
13
03-30-04 11:56 AM



Quick Reply: 450H: Power mode?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:06 AM.