lucasb7

The amount of power and torque the car can deliver varies greatly by the state of battery charge. At full charge, research indicates that the car is putting down close to 440 lb-ft of torque. But Lexus can't quote that number because it drops as battery charge varies.

In driving, I've noticed that at close to full charge the car is just plain fast! But as it gets lower, it fells less jumpy and torquie. As others have stated, the only time i've noticed a low battery is when driving around parking lots in electric only with stereo and AC. And at Taste of Lexus, where the car gets absolutely no chance to charge. Lets face it, in most spirited driving you do have to brake.

When you are left with a dead battery you have a 292 hp 267 lb-ft V6 coupled to a CVT that can hold the engine at wot for as long as you ask and a few extra pounds.

The G Man

That depends on what you are trying to pass. If you are trying to pass a GS350 on a single lane road with a 18 wheeler coming at you, that lost of power from a drain battery can be a very big problem. Personally, I like to know exactly how much power my car have at all time so I when I need to use it, its there. Therefore I vote for the V8.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

in that case i call it a judgment issue on what you are trying to do

Stormforge

well in defense of the 450h, we do have the navi screen which shows the actual charge of the traction battery. if you are going to pass a GS350 at or near full charge, you won't have a problem. if you are down to like one or two bars of energy left, then it's a no brainer - you don't take the risk of trying to pass the car ahead of you if there's a 18 wheeler coming the other way. if you use the information given by the screen along with common sense, you'll know exactly when and when not to pass.

The G Man

Yeah, but with the V8, I dont need need to look for a screen and reading the gauge before I decide to pass another fast car, sometimes you just dont have that extra 2 or 3 seconds.