LEXUS has thoroughly reworked its hybrid mid-range luxury sedan, the GS450h, to deliver a sharper, more frugal and better-value green machine.

Based on the all-new fourth-generation GS from Toyota’s prestige car arm, the GS450h is the same front-engine, rear-drive format as the original hybrid GS, but with almost every component revisited.

One of the few constants between the first and second generation of GS450h sedans is the combined power output of the 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine and twin electric motors, which remains the same at 254kW.

But the car is quicker in the 0-100km/h sprint, at 5.9 seconds, as well as a claimed 20 per cent more fuel-efficient, with a combined consumption figure of 6.2 litres per 100km.

The GS450h remains the only hybrid luxury car in its class, but that is expected to change within months with the arrival of the first hybrid offerings from BMW and Infiniti, with Audi to follow next year.