Toyota added a hybrid system to their Lexus LS sedan to give it the power of a V12 while improving fuel economy. The LS600h L will be priced at about $100,000, the same neighborhood as competing BMW and Mercedes-Benz luxury sedans. (BMW and Mercedes do not make hybrid cars, so by "competing" we're talking about high-end luxury cars

The Lexus LS600h gets a bigger engine than the non-hybrid version, as well. The hybrid's electric motor runs along with 5.0-liter V8 engine. Combined, the gasoline engine and electric motor produce a total of about 430 horsepower. The regular, non-hybrid LS has a 4.6-liter V8 that produces a maximum 380 horsepower.

The Lexus LS600h will also have an Advanced Pre-collision System designed to detect other vehicles or pedestrians in the car's path. It uses two small cameras in the front bumper and another that watches the driver's face. If the system detects that the driver is not watching the road for more than a few seconds when a crash seems about to happen, an alarm sounds, seatbelts tighten and the car's steering and brakes are primed for immediate, quick response.