Toyota Sai Revealed

Toyota has revealed a larger hybrid in Japan – the Toyota Sai – based on the Lexus HS 250h and offering 190bhp from its petrol hybrid powerplant.

A couple of weeks ago we reported that Toyoto were going to take the wraps off a new hybrid in their range – the Toyota Sai – on 20th October. And being the Japanese they didn’t disappoint, and have duly unwrapped the Sai ahead of it’s public outing at the Tokyo Motor Show this week.

When we reported on the Sai’s launch schedule we did apologise that we didn’t have more information . All we knew was that it would be a Toyota hybrid based on the Lexus HS 250h and launch on the 20th. And remarkably, that just about covers it even though Toyota has unveiled the Sai. It’s a Lexus with a Toyota badge.

On the outside, the Sai features a new front end look (Toyota-look rather than Lexus-look) with new headlights, bonnet and grill. The alloys are different and the HS 250h’s door trims are gone. And it has a Toyota badge – not Lexus. And that is just about it outside. Inside you get cheaper trim and a new steering wheel and a different instrument panel.

Under the skin this is pure Lexus HS 250h. The same basic petrol hybrid system as the Prius but with a 2.4 litre petrol engine instead of the 1.8. This ups the power output to 190bhp, all driven through the front wheels by a CVT ‘box.

We’re still rather surprised that Toyota hasn’t badged this a Prius. We were sure that they planned a sub-brand to cover all hybrids. But it seems not. But we don’t even know if Toyota are going to market the Sai outside Japan yet. So they could still do the whole Prius sub-brand thing outside Japan. They didn’t bring the Lexus HS 250h to Europe as that clashes with plans to offer a hybrid Lexus IS. The same may apply with the Sai.

We’ll keep you posted.