Toyota bills the HS 250h as the world's first hybrid-only luxury car. In other words, there be no non-hybrid HS available, unlike Toyota's Lexus GS, RX and LS hybrids.
While you might say that makes it a "luxury Prius," Toyota is careful to point out that this is not a Lexus version of the other hybrid. While the Prius has a hatchback body, the HS 250h is a small sedan.
It's powered by a four-cylinder engine - also a first for Lexus - and its fuel economy is expected to be 30% better than Lexus's current hybrid fuel economy leader, the RX 400h.
That means the HS 250h should get about 33 miles per gallon in combined city and highway driving, compared with 46 mpg for the Prius.
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Last updated January 13 2009: 3:59 PM ET