TOKYO — Toyota has launched its SAI, a sister car to the Lexus HS 250h in Japan today, on the eve of the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show. The SAI is a more affordable version of the Lexus hybrid sedan.
The four-door looks are much the same and the 2.4-liter hybrid system is identical, yet the SAI has a simpler interior and hits the streets for thousands less.
The SAI also turns out to be nearly 4 inches shorter than the HS. There are extensive sheet metal changes, too, including new lights front and rear, although these are so subtle that few will notice at first glance.
The 2.4-liter hybrid powertrain with nickel-metal hydride battery pack mounted beneath the trunk floor is a straight carryover from the Lexus, making 187 horsepower.
Hybrids, of course, are meant to be green and the SAI turns in a useful 47-54 mpg in Japan's economy cycle, exactly the same as the HS 250h, even though it's smaller and up to 154 pounds lighter.
Japan gets the SAI because there is no Camry hybrid in the domestic market and its smaller body is better suited to Japanese driving conditions. For that reason, the SAI will not be crossing the Pacific to the U.S.
On price, the base SAI is a reasonable value at the equivalent of $37,600, but the top-spec model is a considerably pricier $47,370.
Inside Line says: The SAI seems to be a smart move for Toyota, but with the HS 250h on which it's based selling out in Japan — and Toyota's hybrid supply line already stretched to the limit — it could be awhile before the SAI hits the road in Japan in any large numbers. — Peter Nunn, Correspondent
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zoomzoomn says:
04:54 AM, 10/22/2009
etanretla says:
09:46 PM, 10/21/2009
Herein lies the problem, etanretla. This is where I have been trying to make my point that manufacturers needed to have bugged the government to help offset the engineering and startup costs of hybrids until production could reach a point where they become truly economically viable for the masses. Take the dual mode hybrid system developed by BMW/Daimler/Chrysler/GM. The good side of that project was competing manufacturers actually sharing development costs on this project! The downside was, so far, the only models you could actually buy with the system (this one's primarily for SUV's and light trucks) were the upper line, gussied up, expensive ones. I get it in that they load the vehicles up to improve their margins in lieu of the cost of this system, but that does not help you, or me afford taking advantage of playing green!
etanretla says:
09:46 PM, 10/21/2009
to me, its basically a hybrid corolla...
but for comparison purposes, lets do that math here...
toyota corolla = $18,000 (approx)
toyota sai = $40,000 (approx)
lexus hs250 = $45,000 (approx)
toyota prius = $25,000 (approx)
all of these models have minor differences in terms of size, cargo capacity, and overall utility...
all of them have pretty much the same luxury/add-on options...
so i ask toyota, why the huge disparities in price?..moreso, why would it make sense to have the sai and hs250 in the lineup?..i dont get it(?)
zoomzoomn says:
07:32 AM, 10/21/2009
The problem is that this car looks like a $25000 car. You can almost justify the HS by virtue of it's extreme content and the "L" on the grill and decklid. Almost. But as a Toyota? It's a $25K-$30K car.
nothingness168 says:
04:19 PM, 10/20/2009
I sure hope they don't use the same name for the Taiwan market, the phonetic sound of SAI is the same as the word for bowel movement in Taiwanese.
toyzm says:
12:30 PM, 10/20/2009
The rear design of this car is much better than lexus HS. If both are availalbe, I will choose this one.
zoomzoomn says:
09:58 AM, 10/20/2009
The first manufacturer that delivers a good, mainstream hybrid with a base price under $20K will push sales beyond anything seen. I don't count the new Honda Insight because it has fallen a bit below expectations (tight rear seat, jiggly ride, MPG that is just "OK" for a hybrid). $38K for this car? No way! If the government really wants to get things moving green, then how about short term direct incentives to the manufacturers to boost production of hybrids and such at a price that would reach the masses. Increased volume would bring the cost of the needed technology to a level that mainstream America could afford and would buy! Think: a modern Model T!!!
roar02ram says:
07:34 AM, 10/20/2009
I think it's a generally bad sign when a luxury car can be fairly substantially decontented without losing much visually. The interior on this car looks borderline ratty but scarcely different from the HS' & the exterior looks even dumpier but again...scarcely different from the HS'. Bad, bad, bad.